Smyrna times., 1896-07-08
SMYRNA.
From the Topical 0ntIine:- LOcatiOn-Settle.
ment and Early HistOry-Indnstries-
Public Institutions - Modern I'M
prOVements. Social Life-Scen.
ery and Places of Interest.


prOVements. Social Life-Scen.
cry and Places of Interest.
A COMPETITIVE ESSAY BY EMMA JER-
MAN HAZELL, JUNIOR CLASS, SMYR-
Ma HIGH SCHOOL.
Smyrna is situated in the northern
part of Kent County, Delaware. 1t is
eight and half miles from Delaware
Bay, and midway between Whining
ton and Milford; and is surrounded by
beautiful farms in a good state of Guilt
walton. It is connected to the main
branch of the Delaware Railroad by a
branch road, and is also in cOmmunica-
ton with Philadelphia by steamer.
North of Smyrna lies the old town of
Salisbury, now known as Duck Greek;
south is Lake Como, known better as
the mill-pOnd; east is Smyrna Landing
which is not of much Importance now,
but in the early days was quite a grain
market and ship-building place; and
west is the little railroad town of Clay
ton.
The old tract of Gravesend was
taken up 1850 by William Green and
at his death was divided among his
three sons. In 1868 his grandson,
James Green commenced the sale of
the land on which Smyrna now stands.
This region was called Duck Creek
Cross Roads until 1906 when the name
was changed to Smyrna by an act of
the Assembly. In 1892 the Legisla-
ture met here at Belmont Hall, which
was then owned by Governor Thomas
Collins, and there was talk of making
our village the capital of the state
The town was incorporated in 1917,
and commissioners were appointed to
survey, lay out and regulate the streets.
The town grew steadily; and in 1857
the town limits were extended one
fourth of mile in each direction, MAX
ing Smyrna one mile square instead of
half mile as before.
nus uCNGI ldOl VI
extensive manufactures. There is a
basket factory which furnishes en-
plOyment to seventy-five persons dur
ing four months in the year, and with
the improved machinery the capacity
has increased from seventeen thousand
produced the first season, to thirty
five thousand which are now
manufactured in one week. The prin-
cipal markets are in New Jersey and
on the Peninsula. On Main Street
Mr.. John H. Hoffecker operates a can
ming factory where one hundred and
twenty-five persons are employed dur
ing the season, from August the first
till November the first Tomatoes and
all available fruits are canned there
being a capacity for five hundred
thousand cans. The cans are made
here, furnishing work for five men si1
months each year. In a part of the
old foundry there has recently beer
put in machinery necessary to a shirt
factory. On Commerce street there is
hose factory owned by Messrs. Belt
ger and Counselman. Then there are
stores and shops of all kinks.
There are six churches in the town
two of which are for the colOred popu
lation. The st. Peters Episcopa
Church is brick building on Unio1
Street. 1t is cruciform in shape anC
has a fine open chancel and a pip,
organ. In 1872 a frame chapel wa,
built in Gothic style, twenty-six By
sixty feet. 1t was the gift of Mrs
Susan Fisher and has stained glass
windows in memory of her husband
father and mother. In 1843 lot OF
Mt. Vernon Street was bought O
Doctor Fisher and Methodist Churcl
built there. This was torn down il
1871 and work was commenced on tn,
present building which was finished lat,
in 1872. The new structure is brick
sixty by eighty feet. The auditorium
has eighty pews which together Will
the gallery will seat seven hundred
and fifty persons. The Sunday School
started in 1927, has now fifty teacher
and officers, and four hundred an,
three scholars under the superinten
dency of Mr.. John Henry Hoffecker
The scholars have access to a well
stocked, carefully selected library. L
1888, the Presbyterian Church wa
built on Commerce Street, of serpen
tine stone. 1t is in the early Englisl
Gothic style and the main building
fifty-six by thirty eight feet with
capacity for seating about three-hun
bred persons. In the rear is a chape
used for a Sunday School; Their
are seventy scholars under Mr.. Gilber
Taylors SUPPLEMENTARY. The churc
is in good condition and has eight,
communicates. st. Polycary Roma,
Catholic Church is what used to be tn
old Presbyterian Church. It wa
named in honor of st. Polycarp,
bishop of the second century who wa
martyred in Smyrna, Asia.
The Smyrna Public School was buil
in 1884. 1t is a brick structure cruc.
form in shape, having four wings, tw
stories high, making eight rooms
The centre building is three storie
high and is surmounted by belfr
and dome making a total height O
ninety-two feet The entire cost {
the building was nearly fifteen thoui
and dollars. At the present time thel
are eight teachers - Prof Charlie
Howell LeFevre principal; Miss Elizi
beth Parrot, Miss Anna Doughtor
Miss Emma Hough, Miss Mary Sprr
ance, Miss Lizzie Mcdowell, Mis-
Nellie FAIRIES and Miss Ida Lor,
The Smyrna Library Association wa
organized in 1858 and during the fir
year five hundred dollars worth {
books was purchased and arranged !
the library room in Odd Fellows Hal
In 1870 the library was moved to
4 room in the Town Hall where it h,
' since remained. 1t has always been
a hourishing condition and has prove
of Invaluable worth to the communit
| 1t contains over three thousan
~