athens ohio rentals

Athens: a unique history

Athens is a small, historic college town in Athens County, in southeastern Ohio, USA,
on the Hocking River. Athens is the county seat of Athens County. The population
was 21,342 at the 2000 census.
The first permanent European settlers arrived in Athens in 1797. In 1800, the town
was first surveyed and plotted, but was not incorporated as a village until 1811. In
the meantime, Ohio became a state in 1803, and Ohio University was chartered in
1804 becoming the first institution of higher learning in the Northwest Territory.
Previously part of Washington County, Ohio, Athens County was formed in 1805.
Athens did not receive city status until 1912.

The earliest industry in the area was salt production, followed by iron production and
coal extraction. Today, the largest employer in the county is Ohio University. In 1843,
the Hocking Canal opened, enabling shipping from the Ohio River up the Hocking
River, which passes through Athens, to Nelsonville, Ohio, and points beyond.
However, the canal was closed during cold winters when it froze over. The first
railroad reached Athens in 1857. In the late 1800s, an interurban line opened
between Athens and Nelsonville and operated for some years.

The Athens Lunatic Asylum, later called the Athens State Hospital, opened in 1874.
This was located on high ground to the south of town and to the south of the Hocking
River, and in the late 1800s was the town's largest employer. The state hospital was
eventually decommissioned and the property was deeded to Ohio University. It is
now known as The Ridges. Building space has been renovated for offices and research
space, and most of the grounds has been set aside as open space, including a land
lab. Athens was declared one of the top ten most haunted cities in America on the
Fox Family special "World's Scariest Places" which aired on October 23, 2000. Other
more credible sources also make similar declarations. Ohio University has been called
one of the most haunted college campuses in America; most notably, local legend
includes many stories of hauntings in the former asylum. Additionally, Ohio U.'s West
Green is said to be placed atop an ancient Indian burial ground, and it is rumored
that the oldest cemeteries of the town form a pentagram.

Athens is also known for its many artists, musicians and innovative entrepreneurs.
Many great musicians have visited Athens over the years. Jazz greats Duke Ellington
and Dizzy Gillespie played in Athens. The Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, and
Steppenwolf are a few of the rock bands who have come to Athens. Blues guitarists
B. B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan performed in Athens and singer-songwriters, Billy
Joel, Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, and Neil Young have held concerts. In addition,
Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates, and Richard Marx have also played Athens. Ohio
University has hosted most of the major concerts in Athens.

Athens is known throughout Ohio as the home of a diverse and vibrant original
music scene. Bands like the White Stripes, The Black Keys, O.A.R., Ekoostic Hookah
and HUM have played on Athens stages while they were still relative unknowns. The
current scene contains groups that range from bluegrass, to jam-rock, to garage-rock
revival, to punk, to metal, and so on. In addition there is a strong Folk, Celtic and
Blues community. Local singing group, The Local Girls, performed in "The East Room"
of The White House On December 28, 1998.

Many of the musical venues in Athens are concentrated on two blocks of Court
Street. Due to the size of the town, the availability of cheap rent, various open stages
and the close proximity of the music venues to Ohio University's campus, conditions
in Athens are perfect for incubating new original musicians. The Athens Musician
Network contains a detailed archive of the local music scene. Founded in 1997 it
contains audio and video archives as well as a searchable concert history.

Ohio University is now the largest employer in Athens County. McBee, a producer of
business forms and related materials, was also a significant employer, but closed
down in early 2005. Coal was once a huge source of employment in the county, but is
now a very minor source, as the best and most available coal has been extracted.
One of the more interesting manufacturing companies that once existed in Athens
was the Midget Motors Corporation, makers of the small automobile, the King Midget.
In 2002, a Wal-Mart opened in Athens amid substantial opposition. Athens is known
for its local food economy, featuring a significant amount of organic produce, sold
largely through a year-round farmer's market held on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
Many of Athens local business are run by young, innovative entrepreneurs that offer
everything from fresh baked goods to handmade jewelry. Athens has the best of both
worlds. Athens has small town charm, yet a progressive atmosphere mixed with all
the amenities of the big city.

This information was cited from the following sources:
G. and Marjorie S. Stone. 1984. Getting to Know Athens County. The Stone House, Athens OH.

Athens, Ohio. (2006, June 11). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:41, June 12, 2006, from
http://wikipedia.org