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Smyrna in Cobb County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
 

Smyrna’s First Mayor

John C. Moore

Aug. 16, 1830 - May 10, 1897

 
 
Smyrna’s First Mayor Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by David Seibert, January 12, 2008
1. Smyrna’s First Mayor Marker
Inscription.

Ulysses S. Grant was President of the U.S., and the South was still suffering from the effects of abusive Reconstruction when Smyrna was first incorporated August 23, 1872. One theory is that in the post-war era, citizens feared the town would be named for Neal Dow, a Yankee abolitionist, for whom the railroad station was named. They preferred instead to name it Smyrna after the religious

campground which had been established here in the 1830’s. Incorporating legislation named John C. Moore Mayor (Intendent). Four aldermen were also named: E.D.L. Mobley, W.R. Bell, W.L. Davenport, and G.P. Daniel. The town was incorporated a second time in 1897 reducing the city limits from 1 mile to 1/2 mile but most early records were destroyed in a city hall fire in the 1920’s.
 
Erected by The Smyrna Cemetery Association.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial SitesPolitical Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
 
Location. 33° 53.007′ N, 84° 30.898′ W. Marker is in Smyrna, Georgia, in Cobb County. It is on Memorial Place 0 miles south of Atlanta Road SE (Georgia Route 3), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in the Smyrna Memorial Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Smyrna GA 30080, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont and in Metro Atlanta. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.
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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Mazie Whitfield Nelson (here, next to this marker); First Marked Burial (a few steps from this marker); Smyrna Memorial Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Smyrna (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Taylor-Brawner House (approx. ¾ mile away); Hood's Corps at Battle of Ruff's Mill (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Alexander Eaton House: Hood’s H'dq'rs. (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Hargrove House (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smyrna.
 
Another marker is no longer nearby. 23D Army Corps to Soap Creek (was approx. 2.1 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
 
Smyrna’s First Mayor Marker reverse image. Click for full size.
Photographed by David Seibert, January 12, 2008
2. Smyrna’s First Mayor Marker reverse
Smyrna’s First Mayor Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 6, 2022
3. Smyrna’s First Mayor Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on May 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,512 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on March 15, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia.   3. submitted on May 10, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 21, 2026