Smyrna, Georgia

SMYRNA, Ga. — Though the first settlers came to this area in about 1832 and created Smyrna Camp Ground, a religious encampment, it was the railroad that really transformed Smyrna into

The Western & Atlantic Railroad was completed through the area by 1842. Before it was formally incorporated in 1872, Smyrna had several names, including Varner’s Station, Ruff’s Siding, Neal Dow and Ruff’s Station.

Interestingly, the area has always served as a siding for trains. The current W&A Subdivision of CSX is not double-tracked between Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., but the line is double-tracked through Smyrna.

Between July 1905 and early 1947, the Atlanta Northern Railway, an interurban connecting Atlanta and Marietta, served the community, making several stops in the town.

In September 1905, the state railroad commission considered a request to move the Smyrna depot. The board did not immediately rule on the request; however, in November 1905, the commission granted permission to relocate the Smyrna depot approximately 200 yards south of its then-current location.

The last Smyrna depot opened in about April 1906 and stood until the 1950s.

Click here to see railroaders with a connection to Smyrna, Georgia.

Notable Happenings

• December 22, 1999: 100 people were evacuated for a few hours after several cars carrying hazardous materials of a CSX train derailed
• July 26, 1998: A northbound CSX freight train struck and killed a 23-year-old woman walking along the tracks.
• May 6, 1978: A Louisville & Nashville derailed on a stretch of track between West Spring and Hawthorne streets during an era when the railroad was heavily criticized for its track maintenance.
• May 16, 1961: A northbound Louisville & Nashville passenger train struck a car driven by J.B. “Jake” Ables, a future Smyrna mayor, slicing it in two as he crossed the tracks on Hawthorne Avenue. He later sued the railroad, alleging the company was negligent for not installing warning lights or gates at the crossing.
• May 22, 1909: About 6:45 a.m. Daniel Reed, a well-known citizen, was crossing the Western & Atlantic tracks at the depot when he was struck by passenger train No. 3. He and his mule were killed, and his wagon “practically torn into kindling wood.”
• March 1891: A train hand was injured after the afternoon Rome Express knocked him from a cross tie where he was napping.
• September 1883: Brakeman William Awtry was killed after he sat on the edge of the track waiting for another train to pass, but fell asleep and was knocked off by a train.
• September 26, 1863: Capt. Thomas J. Scott, a soldier with Company E, 8th Kentucky Regiment, was standing on a platform between two cars when he was crushed and killed at Ruff’s Station. Lt. Bird of Company A, 51st Tennessee, was also wounded. The train was carrying wounded soldiers.
• May 21, 1863: A private attempting to board a car fell under the car, and one of its wheels ran over his left hand. Three of the soldier’s fingers were cut off.
• January 25, 1858: The down passenger train and the up freight train collided at Ruff’s Station, now Smyrna. No one was injured.

Notable People

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