Town gets its 's' back

After 100 years and dozens of debates Smartsville, on the Yuba-Nevada county line, officially has its "s" back.

Residents can use the original spelling of the community name after the U.S. Board on Geographic Names ruled on the issue last week with little to no discussion. Since 1909, the community has been known as Smartville, without the second "s".

"The evidence was so thorough," Jennifer Runyon, research staff with the national board said in an e-mail, "the decision was unanimous."

Community members have been fighting to get the name Smartville back to the original spelling that included the second "s" since it was taken away by the U.S. Postal Service in 1909. The second "s" did not have the possessive apostrophe in "Smarts" and was declared not grammatically correct.

Resident Kit Burton, who has spearheaded the effort locally, called the ruling historic and said the "100-year long epic struggle for the town's identity, reputation and dignity" topped off with the proper ruling.

"It's a culmination of a lot of work, Burton said. "The support we've had is very gratifying."

The community started in 1856 when James Smart came to the area and built the town's first structure, a hotel which still stands. The town was largely occupied by miners and the community gradually began to develop.

Smartsville was never incorporated. In 1878, though, a certificate marking the town's boundaries was created by the federal government and handed over to Yuba County to allow for property rights and sales of land.

Beverly Brandon, officer in charge for the town's post office, said she's happy the town got its "s" back.

"They will be thrilled," she said. "There will be dancing in the streets."

Brandon, a new resident of the community, said she has heard the discussion over the "s" increase recently because of the progress made by Burton and other residents to reinstate the letter.

"It's wonderful," she said. "I've always known it to be Smartsville."

Several signs in the community will need to be fixed to accommodate the additional letter.

A count by the Appeal-Democrat last fall noted six signs in the town that lacked the "s." Another 12 had the missing letter.

Caltrans spokesman Mark Dinger said road signs without the "s" can be changed.

"We just rivet a new plate in shop at no additional cost and add it to existing signs," he said.

Dinger said Caltrans needs word from county officials before the name can be changed.

Burton said there is no specific celebration planned in the community, but another Pioneer Days festival, is scheduled for the spring.

"You wait so long for something and then it happens and it's just another day," he said. "Its a big deal, but it won't change overnight. This change will come over time."

Contact Appeal-Democrat re-porter Andrea Koskey at 749-4709 or akoskey@appealdemocrat.com