Smyrna Today The Jonquil Aunt Fanny's Cabin

History and
Points of Interest

History

Visit the Smyrna Historical Society website (www.smyrnahistory.org).

Smyrna, the "Jonquil City," has a long and colorful history, most of which cannot be offered on this website. For information beyond what is offered on this website, please contact the Smyrna Historical Society through the Smyrna Museum at 770-431-2858 or visit the facility located at 2861 Atlanta Road, Smyrna GA 30080 – adjacent to the Welcome Center (Aunt Fanny’s Cabin). The following is a summary of history the City of Smyrna:

Cobb County was at one time equally divided between the State of Georgia and the Cherokee Indians. In 1831 a settlement was reached that deeded all the land to the State of Georgia. Shortly after, settlers began drifting into this area and in 1832 a campground, at which members of all denominations could worship, was permanently established. Soon the present site of the City of Smyrna became the center of the social and religious life of the surrounding area. From this campground the Methodist Church was organized in 1838.

Smyrna was first known as Ruffs Siding and later Varners Station. Eventually, the name Smyrna was given to the campground area. The name "Smyrna" is found in the Bible's book of Revelation as the name of one of Paul the Apostle's seven churches in Asia.

The railroad once played a fairly significant role in Smyrna’s development. In 1836 the construction of a railroad began through Cobb County, and by the date of completion in 1842, the railroad had started Smyrna on its change from a frontier village to a growing community. The railroad helped establish the permanent location of the city and provided work for the townspeople. Gristmills and factories were also established in the 1840’s. These mills and factories played a prominent role in the early growth of the community. However, by the close of the 19th century, Smyrna was primarily an agrarian community. While there was industry and the railroad, the economy was by then largely based on agriculture.

Smyrna's first brick building was erected in 1850. It was originally built as a boys’ academy, called Smyrna Institute. The building was later used as an officers’ training school, a hospital, and a house of worship. When General Sherman marched through Cobb County in 1864, it was the only building standing in the downtown area. This building stood on the site of the old Masonic Lodge that once stood on West Spring. (On that site now stands an award winning mixed-use development - the Market Village- a vibrant part of the revitalized and active downtown. The Market Village is the "social center" of Smyrna and sits adjacent to the "Village Green," home to the only city-owned library (Smyrna Public Library) of its kind in Georgia and a thriving and lively community center.  The 20th Century Veterans Memorial rests between the Village Green and the Market Village at the intersection of City Hall and the Market Village. Bricks that have come to be called "Smyrna brick" line the walkways and pedestrian avenues of the new downtown.  For more information on the economic development movement of Smyrna today and a brief overview of the Smyrna success story, go to www.knowsmyrna.com.)

In 1872, the State of Georgia incorporated Smyrna as a municipality, the boundaries then extending for one mile in every direction from the Smyrna Boys’ Academy. The first city election was held in 1873. Smyrna also boasts having had the first female mayor elected in the State of Georgia, Lorena Pruitt, in 1946.

For information about Smyrna’s historic cemeteries, contact the Cemetery Commission representative through City Hall at 770-434-6600.

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Smyrna Today

Smyrna is located about 10 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia and is considered an integral part of the Metro Atlanta area. Known as the "Jonquil City", it derives this name from the thousands of jonquils that flourish in gardens and along the streets in early spring.

Just a 15-minute drive from downtown Atlanta, yet free of the congestion.

Revitalized and active new downtown area "The Village Green" includes a new library, community center, retail development and mixed-use development, city hall and charming homes

• New homes priced from the $300’s to $1 million’s
• Charming neighborhoods with a vast array of amenities for residents and businesses
• Parks, jogging trails, pools, lighted tennis courts, public golf courses and much more
• Day camps, sports and recreational activities for children to seniors
• New Welcome Center and Museum
• Summer concerts and family events on the Village Green
• Winner of the prestigious Urban Land Institute’s Award of Excellence

The City of Smyrna has developed a reputation for smart growth and revitalization and was awarded the Urban Land Institute’s Award for Excellence. The City of Smyrna, for two decades, has been in the business of reinventing itself and setting the standard for community. As a continual recipient of the Government Finance Officers Association’s "Distinguished Budget Presentation Award," the City of Smyrna continues to serve its citizens well, with integrity and minded, earned progress.

Smyrna is pro-business and service-oriented – committed to business as well as the business of community and its residents. Smyrna has long been an integral part of the growth and development of Cobb County and is recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the entire Metropolitan Atlanta area, the place to be…the place to call home.

In geographical terms, the City of Smyrna exhibits some excellent physical characteristics. With an average temperature of 61.4 degrees, the climate is very favorable consisting of warm summers and moderate winters. Between these seasons, the Smyrna area is decorated with thousands of jonquils blooming in the spring and a colorful change of leaves in the fall. The general terrain of the area is characteristic of the piedmont region of Georgia. One will find hills with broad ridges, sloping uplands, and relatively narrow valleys. Our city sits at an altitude of 1,150 feet above sea level.

With visionary leadership and strong community spirit, Smyrna has become one of the most popular places to reside in the metro-Atlanta area. The atmosphere offered in Smyrna is the type of lifestyle many seek when deciding where to build a home, a business and/or raise their families.

Another important attribute of Smyrna is its location in relationship to major transportation modes. Being a citizen of Smyrna means having ready access to several different methods of conveyance. The City is strategically located near three interstates and intrastate highway systems: I-75, I-20, and I-285. Downtown Atlanta is a 15-minute drive via the interstate and Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport is only a 30-minute drive away. In addition, several principal arterial roadways, such as Cobb Parkway (U.S. Highway 41), Atlanta Road (State Highway 3) and South Cobb Drive (State Highway 280), pass through the municipality. Smyrna will also benefit from the route (and recently completed section) of the East-West Connector road extension through Cobb County. The Cobb Community Transit (CCT) bus system provides public transportation for our residents with links to the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rapid-rail network. There are also two major railways that service Smyrna and four airports can be found within an 18-mile radius of the City.

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What is a Jonquil?

It’s a flower. A fragrant short-tubed, yellow flower with long narrow leaves that blooms in great quantities in Smyrna in the Spring.

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Aunt Fanny’s Cabin (Smyrna Welcome Center)

In 1941 Isoline Campbell MacKenna Howell founded and operated a unique restaurant, until 1948 when Harvey Hester and Mrs. Marjorie Bowman assumed operation. The restaurant was called "Aunt Fanny’s Cabin." Under the guidance of Mr. Hester and Mrs. Bowman, Aunt Fanny’s Cabin achieved status among celebrities and became a favorite southern themed dining spot, known throughout the country.

The restaurant served only authentic southern cooking and the atmosphere was rustic. The restaurant that grew in size over five decades was closed in 1992. The original cabin (where it all began) was purchased by the City of Smyrna and moved to its current location on Atlanta Road and dedicated as the new Welcome Center in 1999.

During the five decades of operation, the restaurant was visited by movie stars, sports figures, politicians and other celebrities who not only signed the guest book, but left behind many autographed photos. Although not all of the photographs were available to the City, many were obtained and grace the walls of the current structure.

To find out more, please call 770-319-5397or visit the facility at 2861 Atlanta Road, Smyrna GA 30080 – adjacent to the Museum. Hours of operation are Noon to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday (except on various holidays).

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