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History in
a Pecan Shell
A town with
no 19th Century history, Smyer appeared in the mid 1920s. It was
platted in anticipation of the railroad’s arrival (the Santa Fe)
and it was named after a railroad superintendent (Clifton Smeyers).
Rancher W. L. Ellwood sold small parcels of land to would-be farmers.
The community got off to a promising start with a cotton gin and
school soon established. A lumberyard facilitated building and in
1926 a post office was granted.
Tragedy struck in 1929 in the form of a tornado that demolished
the school as well as the town windmill and water tower. The loss
made the Great Depression a little harder to bear for residents.
The 1940 Census reported five businesses and a population of 125.
By the end of WWII
it had doubled to 200 residents and the number of stores trebled
to 15.
Growth was slow but steady over the decades as the town added services.
By 1980 there were 455 residents. By that time Smyer had added a
city hall and fire station as well as a grain elevator.
The 1990 census reported 442 people which grew to 480 by the year
2000.
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Photographer's
Note:
"Being on the eastern edge of Hockley County, Smyer was hit hard
by the reduction/closure of Reese Air Force Base." - Barclay
Gibson, February 24, 2013 |
Smyer's "Texas"
shaped welcome sign
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, March 2010 |
Smyer
4-H Club Welcomes You!
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, March 2010 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
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