Athens, Alabama

Founded in 1818 by John Coffee, Robert Beaty, John D. Carroll, and John Read, Athens is one of the oldest incorporated cities in the state, having been incorporated one year prior to the state's admittance to the Union in 1819. Limestone County was also created by an act of the Alabama Territorial Legislature in 1818.A Digest of the Laws of the State of Alabama: Containing The Statutes and Resolutions in Force at the end of the General Assembly in January 1823. Published by Ginn & Curtis, J. & J. Harper, Printers, New-York, 1828. Title 62. Chapter XXV. Page 803. [https://books.google.com/books?id=JvtKAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA803 "An Act to Incorporate the Town of Athens, in Limestone County.—Passed November 19, 1818." (Google Books)]{{Cite web |url=http://www.archives.state.al.us/counties/limeston.html |title=Alabama State Archives: Limestone County |access-date=July 17, 2008 |archive-date=June 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626080155/http://www.archives.state.al.us/counties/limeston.html |url-status=dead }} The town was first called Athenson, but was incorporated as Athens after the ancient city in Greece. The town's first mayor was Samuel Tanner, and the Tanner area, south of Athens, was named on his behalf.{{cite book|last=Foscue|first=Virginia|title=Place Names in Alabama|year=1989|publisher=University of Alabama Press|isbn=081730410X}}

The Athens area was the home of William Wyatt Bibb, the first governor of Alabama, and its second governor, his brother Thomas Bibb, who succeeded him in office when he died in a fall from his horse.[http://www.marker.limestonecountyhistoricalsociety.org/html/belle_mina.html Limestone County Historical Society: Belle Mina]

Image:Founders Hall Athens State Univ.jpg.
(WPA photo 1930s).]]

In 1822, local residents purchased {{convert|5|acre|m2}} of land and constructed a building to house the Athens Female Academy. The school became affiliated with the Methodist church in 1842, and was eventually renamed Athens Female College. After becoming coeducational in 1932, the school changed its name again to Athens College. After being taken over by the State of Alabama in 1974, the college was converted to a "reverse junior college", offering the last two years of instruction for graduates of area community colleges. It is today known as Athens State University.[http://www.athens.edu/about/history.php Athens State University: History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803120728/http://www.athens.edu/about/history.php |date=August 3, 2008 }}

Many homes in the central part of modern Athens date to the antebellum period, and are part of historic preservation districts.[http://athensalabama.us/images/pdffiles/engineering/maps/historic_dist_map.pdf City of Athens: Map of Historic Districts.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114074104/http://athensalabama.us/images/pdffiles/engineering/maps/historic_dist_map.pdf |date=November 14, 2014 }}

On May 2, 1862, during the Civil War, Athens was seized by Union forces under the command of Col. John Basil Turchin.{{Cite web |url=http://www.marker.limestonecountyhistoricalsociety.org/html/athens_sacked.html |title=Limestone County Historical Society: Athens Sacked |access-date=July 17, 2008 |archive-date=February 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218184303/http://www.marker.limestonecountyhistoricalsociety.org/html/athens_sacked.html |url-status=dead }} After occupying the town on May 2, 1862, Turchin assembled his men and reportedly told them: "I shut my eyes for two hours. I see nothing".{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} He did, in fact, leave the town to reconnoiter defensive positions, during which time his men ransacked the town. Turchin was later court-martialed over his treatment of Athens.Walter L. Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama, [https://archive.org/details/civilwarreconstr00flemuoft/page/63/mode/1up?view=theater p.63] (New York: Columbia Univ. Press, 1905) (retrieved Oct. 6, 2024). The incident was controversial, and Lost Cause supporters vilified Turchin.

Image:George S. Houston - Brady-Handy.jpg]]

Athens was the home of Governor George S. Houston, Alabama's first post-Reconstruction Democratic governor, who served from 1874 through 1878. Houston was noted for reducing the debts incurred to benefit private railroad speculators and others by his Reconstruction Republican predecessors.{{cite web|title=George Smith Houston|url=http://www.archives.state.al.us/govs_list/g_housto.html|work=Alabama Governors|publisher=Alabama Department of Archives and History|date=August 5, 2009|access-date=July 17, 2008|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203607/http://www.archives.state.al.us/govs_list/g_housto.html|url-status=dead}} During Reconstruction, Athens was the home of the Trinity School, a school founded for the children of former slaves by Mary Fletcher Wells and funded by the American Missionary Association.[http://www.marker.limestonecountyhistoricalsociety.org/html/trinity_cistern.html "Trinity Cistern."] Limestone County Historical Society. Retrieved Nov 22, 2009. Text of page: "Cistern: Last Remnant of Trinity School. Located in th[e] parking lot of the New [Clinton Street] Court House Annex. Picture of a historical marker inscribed as follows: 'This cistern is the last remnant of Trinity School located here 1865-1907. The cistern was used to store rainwater collected from the roof. No physical evidence remains of the Ross Hotel, the Chapman Quarters, and other buildings on this block, which played an important role in Athens history. Trinity, a school for the children of former slaves, was established here, on the old Richardson property, in 1865, primarily through the efforts of Miss Mary Frances Wells, the school's principal and chief proponent. Trinity Hall was built here 1881-82, as a joint effort by the American Missionary Association and local African Americans who hand made and laid the bricks for the building. It burned in 1907 and was rebuilt the following year on the old Civil War fort site west of town. ERECTED BY THE LIMESTONE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2005'"

Athens was traditionally a cotton and railroad town, but since the local aerospace boom of the 1950s and 1960s, it has increasingly entered the orbit of nearby industry center Huntsville as the area's cotton production has steadily declined.

Image:Browns ferry NPP.jpg

Athens is the home of Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant, a Tennessee Valley Authority installation first operated in 1974, that was once the world's largest nuclear plant. It provides many jobs to the area and most of the electricity for the Huntsville-Decatur Metro Area. On March 22, 1975, the Browns Ferry plant became the scene of what was, with the exception of the Three Mile Island accident, the most serious nuclear accident in United States history. A worker using a candle to check for air leaks started a fire among control wires, causing a temporary threat to operational control of the reactor (see Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant article on Unit One Fire).[https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/gen-comm/bulletins/1975/bl75004a.html Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Bulletin No. 75-04A: Cable Fire at Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Station]

On December 28, 2024, a high-end EF1 tornado struck downtown Athens causing significant damage to the Limestone Courthouse square and caused roof damage to many businesses in downtown Athens and several trees were uprooted including one outside the courthouse.{{Cite web |last=herzmann |first=daryl |title=IEM :: PNS from NWS HUN |url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=PNSHUN&e=202412292000 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=mesonet.agron.iastate.edu |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=ArcGIS Web Application |url=https://apps.dat.noaa.gov/stormdamage/damageviewer/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=apps.dat.noaa.gov}}

File:Tree damage outside limestone county courthouse.jpg

Athens is midway between Nashville and Birmingham on Interstate 65. Athens shares a boundary with Huntsville.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|39.4|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|39.3|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi|km2}} (0.23%) is water.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally cool winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Athens has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=593010&cityname=Athens%2C+Alabama%2C+United+States+of+America&units= Climate Summary for Athens, Alabama]

{{Weather box

|location = Athens, Alabama (1991–2020, extremes 1991–present)

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 78

|Feb record high F = 84

|Mar record high F = 87

|Apr record high F = 91

|May record high F = 94

|Jun record high F = 104

|Jul record high F = 102

|Aug record high F = 104

|Sep record high F = 100

|Oct record high F = 102

|Nov record high F = 87

|Dec record high F = 78

|year record high F = 104

|Jan avg record high F = 68.9

|Feb avg record high F = 73.5

|Mar avg record high F = 81.2

|Apr avg record high F = 85.7

|May avg record high F = 90.3

|Jun avg record high F = 95.1

|Jul avg record high F = 96.0

|Aug avg record high F = 96.7

|Sep avg record high F = 93.8

|Oct avg record high F = 88.6

|Nov avg record high F = 77.2

|Dec avg record high F = 72.3

|year avg record high F = 98.8

|Jan high F = 51.3

|Feb high F = 55.9

|Mar high F = 64.5

|Apr high F = 73.3

|May high F = 80.4

|Jun high F = 87.1

|Jul high F = 89.9

|Aug high F = 89.8

|Sep high F = 84.9

|Oct high F = 74.7

|Nov high F = 63.0

|Dec high F = 54.2

|year high F = 72.4

|Jan mean F = 42.4

|Feb mean F = 46.3

|Mar mean F = 54.0

|Apr mean F = 62.3

|May mean F = 70.4

|Jun mean F = 77.8

|Jul mean F = 81.0

|Aug mean F = 80.3

|Sep mean F = 74.7

|Oct mean F = 63.7

|Nov mean F = 52.4

|Dec mean F = 45.4

|year mean F = 62.6

|Jan low F = 33.5

|Feb low F = 36.7

|Mar low F = 43.5

|Apr low F = 51.3

|May low F = 60.4

|Jun low F = 68.4

|Jul low F = 72.1

|Aug low F = 70.9

|Sep low F = 64.5

|Oct low F = 52.6

|Nov low F = 41.9

|Dec low F = 36.5

|year low F = 52.7

|Jan avg record low F = 14.5

|Feb avg record low F = 18.9

|Mar avg record low F = 25.9

|Apr avg record low F = 34.5

|May avg record low F = 44.4

|Jun avg record low F = 57.7

|Jul avg record low F = 62.7

|Aug avg record low F = 62.3

|Sep avg record low F = 50.9

|Oct avg record low F = 35.7

|Nov avg record low F = 24.9

|Dec avg record low F = 21.7

|year avg record low F = 12.9

|Jan record low F = 0

|Feb record low F = -1

|Mar record low F = 12

|Apr record low F = 23

|May record low F = 37

|Jun record low F = 47

|Jul record low F = 57

|Aug record low F = 50

|Sep record low F = 39

|Oct record low F = 28

|Nov record low F = 16

|Dec record low F = 3

|year record low F = -1

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 5.52

|Feb precipitation inch = 5.43

|Mar precipitation inch = 5.59

|Apr precipitation inch = 5.40

|May precipitation inch = 4.85

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.76

|Jul precipitation inch = 4.89

|Aug precipitation inch = 3.93

|Sep precipitation inch = 3.77

|Oct precipitation inch = 4.02

|Nov precipitation inch = 4.61

|Dec precipitation inch = 6.29

|year precipitation inch = 59.06

|Jan snow inch = 0.5

|Feb snow inch = 0.5

|Mar snow inch = 0.3

|Apr snow inch = 0.0

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.0

|Nov snow inch = 0.0

|Dec snow inch = 0.0

|year snow inch = 1.3

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 10.9

|Feb precipitation days = 11.7

|Mar precipitation days = 11.7

|Apr precipitation days = 10.1

|May precipitation days = 11.0

|Jun precipitation days = 11.4

|Jul precipitation days = 11.3

|Aug precipitation days = 9.8

|Sep precipitation days = 8.2

|Oct precipitation days = 9.2

|Nov precipitation days = 10.4

|Dec precipitation days = 12.0

|year precipitation days = 127.7

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 0.3

|Feb snow days = 0.2

|Mar snow days = 0.0

|Apr snow days = 0.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.0

|Nov snow days = 0.0

|Dec snow days = 0.1

|year snow days = 0.6

|source 1 = NOAA (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020){{cite web

| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=hun

| title = NowData - NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = June 7, 2021}}{{cite web

| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00010390&format=pdf

| title = Station: Athens, AL

| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)

| publisher =National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| access-date = June 7, 2021}}

}}

Athens first appeared on the 1850 U.S. Census as an incorporated place.http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1850c-11.pdf, 1850 Census (places) It did not appear on the 1860 census, but returned again in 1870 and every census to date. Athens was one of the fastest growing areas in Alabama in the 2023 census estimates with 30,904 people recorded in the estimates.{{Cite web |title=Quickfacts, Athens AL |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/athenscityalabama/PST045223 |access-date=June 28, 2024}}

{{US Census population

| align = left

| 1850 = 991

| 1870 = 887

| 1880 = 1011

| 1890 = 940

| 1900 = 1010

| 1910 = 1715

| 1920 = 3323

| 1930 = 4238

| 1940 = 4342

| 1950 = 6309

| 1960 = 9330

| 1970 = 14360

| 1980 = 14558

| 1990 = 16901

| 2000 = 18967

| 2010 = 21897

| 2020 = 25406

| estyear = 2023

| estimate = 30904

| footnote = Sources: 1850;The Seventh Census of the United States: 1850. Alabama. [http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1850a-17.pdf#page=10 Table II. Population of Towns and Cities.] U.S. Census Bureau. Original Pagination 422. PDF Pagination 10. 1870 and 1880;[http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1880a_v1-09.pdf#page=9 Table III. Populations of Civil Divisions Less Than Counties.] Alabama. Volume 1. Statistics of the Population of the United States. Tenth Census. 1880 Census. U.S. Census Bureau. Original Pagination 96. PDF Page 9.
1900, 1910, and 1920;[http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/41084484v1ch2.pdf#page=87 Table 51. Population of Incorporated Places 1920, 1910, and 1900 and Population of Wards of Incorporated Places Having 5,000 Inhabitants or More.] Alabama. Vol 1: Population 1920. Number and distribution of inhabitants. 1920 Census. U.S. Census Bureau. 1930, 1940, and 1950;[http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/23761117v1ch04.pdf#page=14 Table 6. Population of Counties by Minor Civil Divisions 1930 to 1950.] 1950 Census. Number of Inhabitants. Alabama. U.S. Census Bureau. Original Pagination 2-14. PDF

Pagination 14.
1960, 1970, and 1980;[http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_alABC-01.pdf#page=16 Table 4. Populations of County Subdivisions 1960 to 1980.] 1980 Census of Population. Alabama. Volume 1: Characteristics of the Population. Chapter A. Number of Inhabitants. Issued April 1982. U.S. Census Bureau. Original Pagination "Alabama 2-13." PDF Page 16. 1990; 2000 and 2010{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}

}}

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,967 people, 7,742 households, and 5,140 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|482.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 8,449 housing units at an average density of {{convert|214.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 77.72% White, 18.26% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 4.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,742 households, of which 30.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.6% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 23.9% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 28.4% from 25 to 44, 22.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city of Athens was $33,980, and the median income for a family was $44,544. Males had a median income of $37,191 versus $22,748 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,315. About 13.7% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 45 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2010, there were 21,897 people, 9,038 households, and 5,881 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|557.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 9,862 housing units at an average density of {{convert|250.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 73.0% White, 17.5% Black or African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.9% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. 8.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,038 households, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.5% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the age distribution of the population showed 22.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city of Athens was $42,127, and the median income for a family was $54,013. Males had a median income of $43,672 versus $31,601 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,136. About 15.5% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.4% of those under age 45 and 8.5% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 25,406 people, 9,397 households, and 6,080 families residing in the city.

{{US Census population

| 1870 = 2618

| 1890 = 3099

| 1900 = 3333

| 1910 = 4811

| 1920 = 6848

| 1930 = 9342

| 1940 = 9247

| 1950 = 11137

| 1960 = 15180

| 1970 = 14607

| 1980 = 40056

| 1990 = 47930

| 2000 = 57830

| 2010 = 69761

| align-fn = center

| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 6, 2013}}

}}

Athens, the 1st Beat/Precinct of Limestone County first reported on the 1870 U.S. Census.http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1870a-05.pdf, 1870 AL Census This included both the town/city of Athens and the surrounding area. It did not report a figure for 1880, but returned in 1890 and every census to date. In 1870, when racial demographics were reported, it had a Black majority in that beat. In 1960, Athens precinct was changed to a census division as part of a general reorganization of counties.http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/37721510v1p2ch2.pdf, 1960 AL Census

• 25px I-65
• 25px US 31
• 25px US 72
• Norfolk Southern Railway
• CSX Transportation railroad
• 25px Pryor Field Regional Airport (regional/municipal airport)

Intercity bus service is provided by Greyhound Lines.[http://locations.greyhound.com/bus-stations/us/alabama/athens/bus-station-420090 Athens, AL Greyhound Station] Intercity Bus Service

{{Div col}}* Athens City Schools

• Athens State University

{{Div col end}}

• The News Courier, daily newspaper
• WVNN 770 AM
• WKAC 1080 AM
• WZYP 104.3 FM
• WTZT-CD TV channel 11

{{div col}}

• Woody Abernathy, former professional baseball outfielder
• Sheila Andrews, country music singer
• Bill Arnsparger, defensive coordinator in the National Football League (NFL) for Miami Dolphins teams that won consecutive Super Bowls (1972 and 1973); head coach of the LSU Tigers Football team.
• Keith Askins, NBA assistant coach, former player Miami Heat
• Don Black, KKK Grand Wizard, Neo Nazi, White Nationalist.
• Reed Blankenship, NFL Safety, for the Philadelphia Eagles
• Michael Boley, NFL Outside linebacker New York Giants
• George Ruffin Bridgeforth, professor Tuskegee Institute, first Black alumnus, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Wally Bullington, head football coach for Abilene Christian University from 1968 to 1976
• Tom Calvin, former NFL halfback
• Dick Coffman, former Major League Baseball player
• Slick Coffman, former Major League Baseball player
• Billy Davis, former member of the Arizona State Senate
• P. O. Davis, early radio pioneer, agricultural editor and Alabama Cooperative Extension Service educator and administrator
• Anderson East, R&B singer who is featured on the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack
• Richard Hendrix, professional basketball player
• Jake Hess, Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer
• Brittany Howard, singer and guitarist with Alabama Shakes
• C. Eric Lincoln, African-American scholar
• Patti J. Malone, noted African-American mezzo-soprano singer
• Bobby Marlow, former Canadian Football League running back
• John Mason Martin, U.S. Representative from 1885 to 1887
• Mitch McConnell, U. S. Senator from Kentucky, lived in Athens from 1942 to 1950{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X0ogAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IqYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4678,2857069&dq=mitch+mcconnell+tuscumbia+alabama&hl=en |title="Fact of the Week", The Tuscaloosa News July 16, 2000 |date=July 16, 2000 |access-date=November 19, 2013}}
• Alfred McCullough, American football player
• Kevin Miller, radio talk show host
• Roger Murrah, songwriter
• Jessie Murph, Country Singer
• Andy Nelson, former safety for the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants
• Edmund Pettus, lawyer, soldier, and U.S. Senator from 1897 to 1907
• Luke Pryor, served as a U.S. Senator in 1880, and as a U.S. Representative from 1883 to 1885
• Wayne Redmond, former baseball player for the Detroit Tigers
• William N. Richardson, U.S. Representative from 1900 to 1914
• Philip Rivers, NFL quarterback, San Diego Chargers
• Charles Henry Sykes, editorial cartoonist
• Charles Coleman Thach, president of Auburn University from 1902 to 1920
• Alice Vassar LaCour, Fisk Jubilee singer and teacher
• Lee Vickers, professional football player for the Omaha Nighthawks
• James C. Watkins, ceramic artist
• Quez Watkins, professional football player
• Henry A. White, Alabama educator and state representative; served on the Athens City Council
• Pryor Williams, former professional football player

{{div col end}}

Athens was the primary filming location of Brittany Howard's "Stay High" music video. The video stars Terry Crews as a blue-collar man driving home from a job at a nearby Decatur plant. The video also stars several Athens citizens and members of Howards' family. Howard, an Athens native and member of Alabama Shakes, wrote in a press release that "Terry Crews plays a man who isn't out to change the world, he plays a man who just wants to come home to those who understand and love him best". The video features Crews singing along to the Grammy-winning "Stay High" while visiting local landmarks and establishments, such as Decatur's US-72 ALT Bridge, and Athens's Hometown Grocery, Dub's Burgers, and historic Kreme Delite. The video was dedicated to Howard's father, K.J. Howard. [https://www.al.com/life/2019/07/watch-terry-crews-in-new-brittany-howard-video.html][https://www.npr.org/2019/07/16/742164387/terry-crews-lip-syncs-brittany-howards-stay-high][https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/brittany-howard-terry-crews-stay-high-music-video-859452/]

File:Limestone County Courthouse, Athens, Alabama 02.jpg|Limestone County Courthouse, Athens

File:Downtown Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640842.tif|Downtown Athens

File:Downtown Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640839.tif|Downtown Athens

File:Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640828.tif|Downtown Athens

File:Governor George S. Houston House, 101 Houston Street, Athens (Limestone County, Alabama).jpg|Governor George S. Houston House, Athens

File:Athens Masonic Hall.jpg|Athens Masonic Hall

File:Athens former post office, 35611.jpg|Athens Former Post Office

File:Confederate soldiers monument, Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640840.tif|Confederate soldiers monument, Athens

File:Athens First Methodist Church.jpg|Athens First Methodist Church

File:"Sacked and Plundered" historic sign, Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640827.tif|"Sacked and Plundered" historic sign, Athens

File:Presbyterian Church built in 1895, Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640834.tif|Presbyterian Church, Athens

File:Limestone Drug building, Athens, Alabama LCCN2010640841.tif|Limestone Drug building, Athens

File:FRONT VIEW. - Frances Snow Pryor House, Jefferson Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,2-1.tif|Frances Snow Pryor House, Athens

File:FRONT VIEW. - Vining-Wood-Vasser House, 301 East Washington Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,10-1.tif|Vining-Wood-Vasser House, Athens

File:WEST FRONT AND NORTH SIDE - Judge William Harrison Walker House, 309 East Clinton Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,9-1.tif|Judge William Harrison Walker House, Athens

File:WEST FRONT AND SOUTH SIDE - Dr. R. H. Richardson House, 401 South Clinton Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,8-1.tif|Dr. R. H. Richardson House, Athens

File:Pryor Field Regional Airport.jpg|Pryor Field Regional Airport, Athens

File:WEST FRONT, SOUTH SIDE - Father Robert Donnell House, 601 South Clinton Street, Athens, Limestone County, AL HABS ALA,42-ATH,7-1.tif|Father Robert Donnell House, Athens

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.athenslimestone.lib.al.us Athens-Limestone Public Library]
• [http://www.isjl.org/alabama-athens-encyclopedia.html Institute of Southern Jewish Life's History of Athens]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000823152239/http://www.tourathens.com/ Chamber of Commerce and tourism resource]}}
• [http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/S?ammem/hh:@field%28SUBJ+@od1%28ALABAMA--Limestone--Athens%29%29 Built in America Collection from Library of Congress American Memory Collection] contains historic drawings, photographs, and descriptions of homes and buildings in Athens.
• [http://libarchstor.uah.edu:8081/repositories/2/resources/57 James Croley Smith Collection, The University of Alabama in Huntsville Archives and Special Collections] contains sketches of historic buildings in Athens.
• [http://www.downtowndifferent.com/athens/alabama Downtown Different {{!}} Athens, Alabama]

{{Limestone County, Alabama}}

{{Alabama county seats}}

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Category:Populated places established in 1818

Category:Cities in Alabama

Category:Huntsville-Decatur, AL Combined Statistical Area

Category:Cities in Limestone County, Alabama

Category:County seats in Alabama

Category:1818 establishments in Alabama Territory