The Cherokee were living in McMinn County at the time of the arrival of the first Euro-American explorers. The Athens area was situated nearly halfway between the Overhill Cherokee villages of Great Tellico to the north in Monroe County and Great Hiwassee along the Hiwassee River to the south. In 1819, the Cherokee signed the Calhoun Treaty, selling the land north of the Hiwassee (including all of modern McMinn County) to the United States. McMinn County was organized on November 13, 1819, at the home of John Walker in what is now Calhoun. The Native American village, Pumpkintown (a corruption of Potemkin town), was located on a farm about two miles east of present-day Athens. It is sometimes incorrectly identified as a forerunner of Athens. Athens was laid out and chosen as the county seat in 1822. The name "Athens" may have been chosen due to perceived topographical similarities to Athens, Greece.
By 1834, the population of Athens had grown to over 500. Prominent early settlers included William Henry Cooke, who operated an iron forge near modern Etowah, and Samuel Clegg (or Cleage), a construction entrepreneur. Jesse Mayfield, whose descendants founded Mayfield Dairy Farms, arrived in the early 1820s. The Hiwassee Railroad received a charter in the mid-1830s to build a railroad connecting Knoxville, Tennessee, and Dalton, Georgia. The railroad began construction in 1837, although financial and legal problems delayed its completion until 1851. In 1836, General John Wool arrived in Athens to help coordinate the Cherokee Removal. Although initially voluntary, the operation became a forced removal in 1838 when many Cherokee refused to leave. The removal culminated in the forced march west that became known as the Trail of Tears. Wool set up his headquarters at the Bridges Hotel, which was located across the street from the McMinn County Courthouse.
McMinn County was divided during the American Civil War. The well-established railroad brought numerous pro-secessionist and anti-secessionist speakers to the county, including Andrew Johnson, Horace Maynard, John Bell, and William "Parson" Brownlow. In 1861, McMinn County voted against secession by a narrow 1,144-904 margin. The county sent 12 units to the Union army and 8 units to the Confederate army. General William Tecumseh Sherman was briefly headquartered at the Bridges Hotel in McMinn County while preparing his "March to the Sea.
Athens, Tennessee
The town of Athens, Tennessee was created on land obtained from William Lowry and Joseph Calloway. Originally the town boundaries consisted of 35 acres bordering on the Eastnalle Creek, which was used as a source of waterpower to operate the various mills that eventually located along the creek. Important in the location of the town was a healthy water supply, which was provided by a large spring near the center of town, to this day, flows underneath the Market Park property.
Nine commissioners were designated to lay out the city in lots and to name the various streets. Some of the original names remained, while others no longer exist. The town receive its official name on August 23, 1822, by the Tennessee legislature. Local lore gives credit to Elijah Hurst, one of the commissioners, for suggesting the name Athens, for it fitted a description of the of the ancient city of Greece, which he had read about.
The following year, 1823, the county seat was moved from its original location at Calhoun in order to make the seat more accessible to the majority of McMinn countians.
Athens had a population of 500 and according to the 1830 census, was a thriving community consisting of 4 lawyers, 4 divines (ministers), 4 doctors, 10 stores (3 more than Knoxville), 1 tavern, 1 printing office, 1 painter, 2 hatters, 2 tailors, 2 shoemakers, 2 tanners, 2 mills, 2 silversmiths, 1 wagon maker, 1 factory and a male and female academy.
Post-Civil War
After the Civil War, the railroad lured business opportunists to McMinn County. In 1887, several investors established the Athens Mining and Manufacturing Company with plans to convert the town into a model industrial community and initiate large-scale mining operations in the area. Textile mills, flour mills, and timber mills dominated the county's industry by the late 19th century, complemented by furniture and appliance factories in the 1920s.
In 1946, several McMinn County World War II veterans ran for local office in hopes of removing a county government deemed corrupt. On August 1, local authorities locked themselves in the county jail along with the ballot boxes. Suspecting foul play, the veterans armed themselves and assembled on a hill across the street from the jail. After an exchange of gunfire, the county authorities surrendered. The ballots were counted, and the veterans' ticket was elected, ending the Battle of Athens.
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01.
The First National Bank 108 N. Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
In 1885 the name was changed to the First National Bank with J.M. Henderson as president and Robert J. Fisher as casher. (Fisher received national attention for inventing a typewriter that was able to print downward on a bound ledge). After being destroyed by fire in January of 1989, a new building was constructed until 1922. At this time, a more modern building was erected on the corner of Washington and Jackson and became home of First National Bank for many years. This Jackson Street location was sold to the City of Athens and became City Hall.
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02.
African-American Barbers
03.
Athens Outlet Store 116 North White Street Athens, Tennessee
In 1953, M.D. Goodfriend, Jr. (owner M. Goodfriend Store) and Simon Monen (owner Sterling Dress Shop), opened the Athens Outlet Store at this location. The store specialized in selling discount apparel and used the old jail building, located on Hornsby Street. As the warehouse.
The store moved to Congress Parkway in 1881 and the name was later changed to Goody’s. In 1990, the headquarters moved from Athens to Knoxville.
A corporate name that is known throughout the South and Midwest as a popular chain of brand name family clothing was birthed in this building in Athens.
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04.
Boyd House
05.
Burkett Witt 215 North Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
Burkett developed a relationship with Wesleyan starting in 1949 when he ran the “Soda Shop” for many years. He and his wife Mildred eventually owned their own restaurant and catering service with the most recent being “Burkett’s Bar-B-Que” which was located on East Madison Avenue.
Witt served the community for 33 years on the Athens City Council and held the positions of Mayor from 1983 to1985 and Vice Mayor from 1991 to 1993. His dedicated service to the community has earned him much recognition, including an Honorary Doctor of Public Service from Tennessee Wesleyan University. He is well known throughout the region and described as a “Man of Positive Tenacity”.
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06.
The Bus Station 2 South White Street Athens, Tennessee
William E. Newton was the owner of a cab service and decided to open a bus station across from the Robert E. Lee Hotel. He later moved the Bus Station to this location during the 1930s. The business was managed by William’s wife, Frances Louis and son, Estus. The bus station included a café and apartments and was a midway point for travelers. The Tennessee Coach Company picked up passengers travelling to and from Knoxville and Chattanooga. The company was eventually taken over by Continental Trailways and in 1983 Continental closed this location and opened a new one on Decatur Pike near Interstate 75.
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07.
The Cher-O-Kee Photofinishers 203 East Washington Avenue Athens, Tennessee
The Cher-O-Kee Photofinishers was established at this location c1944 by Fred Wankan, former owner and editor of The Daily Post-Athenian. The business grew and by 1957, moved to a new location on Congress Parkway. Later, the name changed to Fox Photo opened many other plants across the Southeast. The business closed c. 1980.
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08.
The Fire Department (Hall) 103 N. Jackson Athens, Tennessee
The history of Athens is marred by many buildings and blocks being destroyed by fire.
Athens fought fire with a one-horse cart until 1910 when this property was purchased for the location of the first fire hall and recorders office. Later, due to the narrow width of this building, trucks had to back in one in front of the other. This building was in use until the Athens Fire Department moved to its new home on North White Street in 1963.
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09.
The Clegage Corner 13 East Madison Street Athens, Tennessee
In the late 1820s, a brick building was constructed by contractors Clegage and Crutchfield. Alexander Clegage was the owner of Clegage Hall, and it was used for temporary court proceedings, balls and other civic activities. The Franklin Association, which was chartered in 1872, first operated in the back of this building.
By 1887 the original structure had been destroyed by fire.
Bayless and Moody Hardware was in operation here by 1900. The hardware store burned in 1902 and reopened in 1903. John Bayless eventually became the sole owner and added a funeral home business. The last hardware store to occupy this building was Cherokee Hardware.
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10.
The Crawford Corner 2 North White Street Athens, Tennessee
This was the site and home of County Court Member, John Crawford (1797-1862). I was said that Crawford’s building was the oldest brink building in Athens.
In 1907, G.F. Lockmiller, and other businessmen, purchased the lot and constructed this building for the newly organized Athens Bank and Trust. The name later changed to Citizens National Bank and operated here until closing this branch in 1986.
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11.
Crow Corner 14 N. White Street Athens, Tennessee
In 1939, Benjamin Ragsdale operated a tailor shop at this location. The building later housed a drug store which was owned by Doctor W.W, Alexander. He then sold to Doctor E. Daniels in 1876.
Around the 1890s, the Crow Dynasty, James L. Crow & Son, took possession of the corner and constructed a brick building which was used as a grocery for many years. Later in years George Crow (son of James) added an innovative feature to the business. He operated a peanut roaster on the sidewalk which added something new for the customers.
Copenhaver Jewelers operated a successful business at this location from the 1940s to 1987.
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12.
Daily Post-Athenian 125 N. Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
Built c. 1920, this building housed the printing office of The Athenian, a republican newspaper. Later it merged with The Athens Simi-Weekly Post, a democratic paper to become the Post Athenian. In the early 1930s it became a The Daily Post-Athenian.
On August 1, 1946, editor Neil Ensminger had just walked down the street to check on early voting when two GI pole watchers broke out of Athens Water Works/Precinct 11 building. This moment in time gave him a first hand glimpse for a story about the Battle of Athens
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13.
Esenkay Tire Store
14.
The Evans Building 102 North White Street Athens, Tennessee
Effron’s, a department store chain that started in Chattanooga c. 1923, opened at this location in 1930. They were promoted as a big department store which carried item for the whole family at low prices. Their policy was that of faith in the advancement of home communities and had expanded to 21 stores in the region by 1930.
In 1936, Farmers Bank (which was established in 1920) moved the Public Square and occupied the Effron site. In 1936 a Daily Post-Athenian article stated that the bank “since then has expanded materially.” First Farmers Bank became inactive in 1992.
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15.
The Fire Department (Hall) 103 N. Jackson Athens, Tennessee
The history of Athens is marred by many buildings and blocks being destroyed by fire.
Athens fought fire with a one-horse cart until 1910 when this property was purchased for the location of the first fire hall and recorders office. Later, due to the narrow width of this building, trucks had to back in one in front of the other. This building was in use until the Athens Fire Department moved to its new home on North White Street in 1963.
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16.
Foster-Rowan House 202 East Washington Avenue Athens, Tennessee
In 1907, the M.E. Church (later Trinity United Methodist), negotiated with George W. Foster and his wife for the purchase of his livery stable and two dwelling houses located at the junction of Jackson and College streets and the sale of his property on Washington and the lot behind it.
The church was dedicated in 1910. Mr. Foster built this house and continued his business on the corner of Getty’s (Hornsby) and Black Alley (Long Street). In 1931, the house was purchased by George R. and wife J.D Rowan (owners of The Golden Rule Store) whose family owned it until 1988.
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17.
G. I. Headquarters 106 East Washington Street Athens, Tennessee
Doctor W.W. Grant, Dental Surgeon, built his office here c. 1907 having bought the lot from Doctor J.R. Nankivell, physician, who had his office next door. Serving as Mayor, Doctor Grant oversaw the building of a splendid system of sidewalks, the covering of the unsightly ditch up White Street, the removal of the old calaboose (jail), and the develop of the city park (Knight Park).
This building served as the G.I. Headquarters in 1946.
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18.
The Golden Rule Store 122 North Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
In 1913 the Athens Post reported the opening of the Golden Rule Store in its new location.
G.R. Rowan had “erected the most modern and handsome business building in the city. The success of this progressive institution is attributed to wise buying and honest merchandise, energy, fair, courteous treatment – The Golden Rule Idea.”
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19.
Hotel Magill
20.
M Goodfriend
21.
McGaughey Corner 100 East Washington Avenue Athens, Tennessee
This location was once the location of the home and tin shop of Robert McGaughey, an African American who was well-known for his skill as a tinsmith.
In 1921 the property was sold to the First National Bank and a two-story structure was built. In 1922, Mr. James T. Fisher, bank president, wrote “the first story being of white limestone and the upper story brick with stone trimmings. The upper story housed thirteen beautiful offices with all modern conveniences (electric wiring for lights, telephone and fans). The floor of the banking room was a gray marble, laid herring bone fashion, the counters, the wainscoting and the columns were also of polished gray marble.”
The bank sold this property in 1982.
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22.
McKeldin Block 11 North Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
In 1835, General William Brazelton of New Market purchased part of this block for his daughter Emily and Irish son-in-law Andrew McKeldin who operated a mercantile store here until his death in 1867.
In 1878, Emily had a brick building constructed that included spaces for three separate businesses. The sidewalk along the front was made of wood and called “The Boardwalk’”
Through the years several businesses occupied the building: McKeldin & Nixon, Ballew & Ferrell, and c. 1940 until 1964, Proffitt’s Department Store.
The corner section was destroyed by fire in 2017.
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23.
Old Jail
24.
Nankivell-Walthall 110 East Washington Avenue Athens, Tennessee
In 1887, Dr. J.R. Nankivell purchased a wood frame building on this lot from J.B. Cook to house his medical practice. When the frame building was replaced C. 1922 by one of brick, Dr. Nankivell moved his medical practice to the second floor.
Jim Tuell opened his grocery store here on the ground floor c. 1924. Lillian B. Walthall purchased the building in 1925.
After Dr. Nankivell closed his practice, Doctors Cary and Edward Foree opened their medical practice upstairs in 1928 and practiced here until 1930 when Foree Hospital was built. The Jim Trull grocery operated her until 1988.
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25.
Planters Bank 130 East Washington Avenue Athens, Tennessee
In 1836, contractors Samuel Cleage and Thomas Crutchfield were engaged to construct the Planters Bank on this site. Many skilled craftsmen, including African American Slaves, worked for them. Cleage’s son David late served as cashier. When the bank closed c. 1865, David Cleage bought the house and lived there until his death. It was occupied by family until his widowed son-in-law C.A. Beard purchased the house in 1916.
In 1950-52 the house was taken down and moved to Woodward Avenue. The current building was built for J.C. Penny which opened in 1956.
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26.
The Rice House 115 East Madison Avenue Athens, Tennessee
This house is believed to have been built in 1835 by Cleage & Cructhfield, contractors. It was inherited by Margaretta Senter Rice after her father died without a will in 1846. She was the wife of Charles L Rice after who the community of Riceville was named. The property stayed in the family until 1933.
Cleage and Crutchfield also built a sister house, owned by Thomas Crutchfield, on the lot. Later, Samuel Ivins, Editor of the Athens Post, lived there. In 1848 he founded the newspaper which was printed in the building across the street from his home.
The Rice House 2021101700067
27.
Riddle & Wallace
28.
Bridges House and Robert E. Lee Hotel 3 North Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
Replacing the Bridges house, built c. 1830 by Cleage and Crutchfield, it was located on the main throughfare connecting north and south. The hotel was a news center with the mail being loaded on and off the stages while horses and passengers were refreshed. It was a favorite lodging for Civil War General W.T. Sherman who praised the food and friendliness of Athens.
In the early 1920s with the completion of the Dixie Highway, the first concrete highway built in East Tennessee and in McMinn County, Athens experienced a surge in building.
The Robert E, Lee Hotel opened in 1926 and was billed as the finest hotel between Knoxville and Chattanooga.
Robert E Lee Hotel 2021101700069
29.
Strand Theatre
30.
United States Post Office 216 Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
This building was constructed in 1927 as the first free-standing post office in Athens. The hillside behind the buildings on this street was used by the G.I.s in their assault on the jail during the Battle of Athens, August 1, 1946.
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31.
Athens Water Works-Precinct 11 115 North Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
Built by the Ingleside Water Company c. 1920, this building once housed the Athens Water Works and served as Precinct 11 during the election of August 1, 1946. When Thomas Gillespie, a local black man, arrived around 3pm to cast his vote, he was shot by a deputy. Later two G.I. pole watchers, who were held here in order to “verify” the vote count, jumped through the plate glass window in order to escape the deputies. Not long afterwards the deputies moved the ballot box to the jail on White Street.
Water Works Precinct 11 2021101700041
32.
WLAR Radio1450 110 North Jackson Street Athens, Tennessee
In May of 1946, WLAR 1450 opened on the second floor of this building as one of the only two radio stations between Knoxville and Chattanooga.
On August 1, 1946, announcer C.C. (Chuck) Redfern, took the photo of the two G.I. pole watchers escaping Precinct 11 across the street. That night, as he gave the call sign and slogan of the station, “WLAR, the friendly voice of the friendly city,” gun shots could be heard in the background. As Redfern broadcast through the night, “the Battle Of Athens” was rebroadcast by Knoxville and Chattanooga radio stations.
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33.
McMinn County Courthouse Athens, Tennessee
This courthouse was built in 1966.
From the front portico of the McMinn County Courthouse, President of the United States, Ronald W. Reagan gave his “Tax Buster: address to the citizens of McMinn County September 24, 1985.
“You just can’t stop Athens and McMinn County from backing Justice and Fairness.”
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34.
The Athens Roller Mil
The Athens Roller Mill was used on the current site of the Veterans Park Plaza and used water from the creek to power a waterwheel.
This replica waterwheel was dedicated on June 1, 2017, to recognize the important role water played in the establishment of Athens.
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35.
Tennessee Wesleyan College Organized in 1857 as Athens Female College and sponsored then by Holston Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Chuch, South. The name of the college has been changed several times, but it has been related to some branch of the Methodist Church continously.
A seperate charter was issued in 1925 to Wesleyan College by the State of Tennessee. It operated as a junior college from 1925 t0 1954 and as a senior college since 1954.
