Places of Interest: Truist Park, Brawner Hall and the
Taylor-Brawner House at Brawner Park, two places listed
on the national historic register. The Market Village in
downtown Smyrna.
Annual Events: Spring and Fall Jonquil Festival in April
and October; The Arthur Bacon Golf Tournament takes
place the first weekend in May; City Birthday Celebration in
August; Taste of Smyrna in September; Coming Home for
the Holidays: annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in
December.
A Bit of History: Smyrna began as a religious campground
and takes its name from the Bible, one of the seven churches
addressed in the Book of Revelation. Smyrna was first
known as Ruffs Siding and later Varners Station. Eventually,
the name Smyrna was given to the campground area.
Famous Residents: Academy Award-winning actress Julia
Roberts and retired American football player Hines Ward.
The city is also known for having the first female mayor
elected in the State of Georgia, Lorena Pruitt, in 1946.
What’s New in Smyrna: Mayor Derek Norton took office in
2020, and is the first new mayor after Max Bacon, who was
mayor for 34 years.
UCB Pharmaceuticals, a Belgium-based global
pharmaceutical company, is expanding its U.S. headquarters
in Smyrna. With 400 employees, UCB is one of Smyrna’s
largest employers.
In recent years, Smyrna has expanded to the
Chattahoochee River with the new mixed-use Riverview
Landing development. Phase One of the project, The Eddy
at Riverview Landing at 6255 Riverview Road, includes
apartments with river and city views, retail space hosting
Reformation Brewery, a kayak launch and biking trails.
Phase Two, The Drift, is opening with 270 residential units
and 14,680 square feet of commercial/retail space. When
the two developments are complete, there will be 580
apartment units, 317 town homes and 17,680 square feet of
commercial/retail space.
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