Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Planning Department Historic Preservation Commission Draft Report

LOCAL HISTORIC PROPERTY DESIGNATION REPORT

This form is for use as part of the process of designating individual properties and districts under the Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Ordinance. Generally, instructions found in the publication "Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms" (National Register Bulletin 16) should be followed when completing this form. Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, styles, materials, and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For additional space use continuation sheets. Type all entries.

1. Name of Property

historic name Downtown Athens Local Historic District other names/site number

2. Location

street & number The Downtown Athens Local Historic District is an area of approximately nine eight square blocks in the heart of downtown Athens, Georgia. The area is roughly bounded by Dougherty Street on the north; by the middle of the blocks between North Jackson Street and Thomas Street on the east; by East Broad Street on the south (with the exception of the southeastern corner of the District which extends south of East Broad and east of Thomas); and by North Lumpkin Street on the west. For precise boundaries, SEE ATTACHED HISTORIC DISTRICT MAP. city, town Athens ( ) vicinity of county Clarke code GA 059 state Georgia code GA zip code 30601

( ) not for publication

3. Classification

Ownership of Property: Category of Property:

(X) private ( ) building(s) (X) public-local (X) district (X) public-state ( ) site (X) public-federal ( ) structure ( ) object

Number of Resources within Property: Noncontributing Contributing

buildings 22 92 sites 0 0 structures 0 0 objects 0 3 total 22 95 Contributing resources previously designated as Local Landmarks: Name(s) of previous designation(s): Athens City Hall, Double-Barrel Cannon, Georgian Hotel, Clarke County Courthouse, Franklin House, and F.M. Coker Cotton Warehouse Name of related multiple property listing: N/A

Franklin House (1845) – 480 East Broad Street A three-story brick building with side-gable roof, the Franklin House was originally constructed as a hotel with several businesses on the first level and exhibits Federal and Greek Revival styling. The ground level elevation, which faces East Broad Street, features a cast-iron front that was placed on the building in the 1880s, and there are five entrances as well as large display windows on this elevation’s first level. A Greek Revival-styled doorway with transom and sidelights distinguishes the second level. It is believed that a balcony or possibly exterior stairs provided access to this door. A nearly identical second-level door is located on the Thomas Street façade, and third floor windows directly above the two doors as well as the attic window facing Thomas Street exhibit similar styling but lack transoms. A side-gabled roof covers the entire front portion of the building and features a stepped parapet on the Thomas Street elevation. Two rear additions were made to the building, both prior to 1860. One of these, located at the building’s southeast corner, was removed in the mid 20th century.

F.M. Coker Cotton Warehouse (c.1890) – 112 South Foundry Street At the turn of the century, the area around Foundry Street transitioned from a neighborhood with commercial aspects to a full-blown industrial sector. Perhaps the most elaborate warehouse building remaining in downtown Athens is the Romanesque Revival, F.M. Coker Cotton Warehouse. The building is three stories in height but is built into a hillside, and thus only two levels are above ground at the building’s front (Foundry Street elevation). The ground level of the Foundry Street façade features round-arched window and door openings while the upper level has segmental arched windows. Full-height pilasters and a pedimented brick parapet distinguish the front elevation. The rear of the building forms a loading area directly adjacent to the railroad. The F.M. Coker Cotton Warehouse is representative of Athens’ development during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century in the areas of commerce, agriculture, and trade.

Athens City Hall (1903) – 301 College Avenue Occupying tree-shaded and landscaped grounds, the yellow brick City Hall was designed by architect L. F. Goodrich. It rises two stories above a daylight basement and reflects the Classical and Renaissance Revival influences of the day. The basement level is faced with granite blocks and granite steps that lead up to one-story entrance porticoes facing College Avenue and Washington and Hancock streets. The primary (College Avenue) entrance features double doors with fanlight and sidelights. Corners are elaborated with quoins and horizontal recessed brick courses on the first story give the building a rusticated look. The cornice and central pedimented gables are decorated with brackets. Above the building rises a central cupola with clocks facing north, south, east and west. The cupola is capped by a green copper-clad dome with an eagle weathervane crowning the lantern.

Double-Barrel Cannon – 301 College Avenue Designed by John Gilleland, the double-barrel cannon was cast at the Athens Foundry and Machine Works in 1862 intended for use by Confederate forces. The double-barrel cannon did not function as designed and was never used in battle. It did, however, serve as a warning signal during the Civil War of encroaching Union troops. Placed next to the Confederate Monument on College Avenue in 1891, the Cannon was moved to the City Hall grounds when the Confederate Monument was moved to West Broad Street.

2 Georgian Hotel (1909) – 247 East Washington Street Designed by Atlanta architect Ten Eyck Brown, the Neoclassical Revival five-story Georgian Hotel was built at a cost of $200,000 and established a new standard for public accommodations in Athens. The Georgian Hotel’s significance to Athens’ social history is evidenced by the many important social gatherings, which took place at the hotel, as well as, by the frequency of important guests. Constructed of brick, the building is divided into three horizontal sections by stone belt courses between the first and second and the fourth and fifth floors. Large round-arched windows with stained-glass panels in upper portions distinguish the first floor. Second and third floor windows are rectangular with segmental arches of alternating brick and stone while fourth floor windows are round- arched, each with a single stone keystone. Fifth floor windows are rectangular, and the building is topped by a heavy cornice and stone balustrade.

Clarke County Courthouse (1913) – 325 East Washington Street Designed by Ten Eyck Brown in the Neoclassical style, the four-story Clarke County Courthouse is constructed of yellow brick. The front elevation is dominated by six three-story Ionic columns that support a recessed entrance and are covered with a tile that matches the brick. The building’s center section is only three stories in height with a balustrade above while flanking portions stand four stories tall. A heavy entablature and cornice separate the third and fourth floors. A parking deck was constructed directly east of the courthouse in the 1980s and a large courthouse annex was added to the rear of the original structure in the early 1990s; neither is within the local district boundaries. The Clarke County Courthouse is a significant part of Athens’ history and politics, which is evidenced by its continuing role as the center of governmental functions since 1913.

3 4. Local Certification

As the designated authority under the Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Ordinance of 1987, I hereby certify that this designation report meets the documentation standards for designating properties under the Athens-Clarke County Historic Preservation Ordinance and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth for such designations. In my opinion, the property meets the criteria for local designations.

Signature of certifying official Date

Planning Director Athens-Clarke County Planning Department

In my opinion, the property ( ) meets ( ) does not meet the criteria for local designations.

Signature of commenting planning department staff member Date

Historic Preservation Planner Athens-Clarke County Planning Department

In my opinion, the property ( ) meets ( ) does not meet the criteria for local designations

Signature of Historic Preservation Commission Chair Date

In my opinion, the property ( ) meets ( ) does not meet the criteria for local designations

Signature of Chief Executive Officer Date Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County

4 5. Function or Use

Historic Functions:

COMMERCE/TRADE/department store; specialty store; restaurant; professional office; tavern GOVERNMENT/city hall; courthouse; post office; government office; police station RECREATION AND CULTURE/theater; music facility; monument/marker INDUSTRY/manufacturing facility LANDSCAPE/parking lot; plaza

Current Functions:

COMMERCE/TRADE/specialty store; restaurant; professional office; tavern GOVERNMENT/city hall; courthouse; post office; government office; police station RECREATION AND CULTURE/theater; music facility; monument/marker VACANT/NOT IN USE LANDSCAPE/parking lot; plaza

6. Description

Architectural Classification:

MID-19TH CENTURY/Federal, Greek Revival LATE VICTORIAN/Romanesque Revival; Second Empire; Renaissance Revival; Gothic LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY REVIVALS/Beaux Arts LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN MOVEMENTS/Commercial Style MID to LATE 20TH CENTURY MOVEMENTS/ International; Stripped Classical 21ST CENTURY/ Neo-traditional NO STYLE

Materials: foundation BRICK; STONE/granite; CONCRETE walls BRICK; CONCRETE; STUCCO roof ASPHALT; METAL other WOOD; BRICK; METAL; CONCRETE

Description of present and historic physical appearance:

Summary Description of the Athens Downtown Local Historic District

The Athens Downtown Local Historic District is an approximately eight-block area that is the historic commercial core of Athens’ central business district. Although composed primarily of commercial buildings, the district also encompasses several governmental and institutional structures. The district is located just across East Broad Street from the University of Georgia’s historic North Campus, the original location of Franklin College that became the University.

5 Most of the historic commercial buildings in the district are situated on their lots in the typical urban fashion – nearly all are located at the front of their lots next to the sidewalk with no setback. The downtown area does have a number of vacant lots, but very few are to be found in the heart of the commercial area centered at the intersection of Clayton Street and College Avenue, and thus with only a few exceptions the density of development is quite consistent. Although there is considerable stylistic variety in the district, most of the historic commercial buildings exhibit architectural detailing typical of the late 19th/early 20th century, and the great majority of the district’s buildings are constructed of brick. Most buildings are two or three stories in height, although there are a few in the range of five to nine stories. The condition of buildings is generally good and there are no large areas of seriously deteriorated properties.

Historic Integrity of the Athens Downtown Local Historic District

Demolition, alteration and new construction have had a significant impact on the historic integrity of the Athens Downtown Local Historic District over the past several decades, and yet for the most part the area’s historic fabric remains intact and continues to convey a strong sense of the past. Most buildings in the district are well maintained and express a substantial degree of historic integrity.

Key Contributing Resources in the Athens Downtown Local Historic District The following are the most significant historic resources in the district, listed by date of construction.

Franklin House (1845) – 480 East Broad Street A three-story brick building with side-gable roof, the Franklin House was originally constructed as a hotel with several businesses on the first level and exhibits Federal and Greek Revival styling. The ground level elevation, which faces East Broad Street, features a cast-iron front that was placed on the building in the 1880s, and there are five entrances as well as large display windows on this elevation’s first level. A Greek Revival-styled doorway with transom and sidelights distinguishes the second level. It is believed that a balcony or possibly exterior stairs provided access to this door. A nearly identical second-level door is located on the Thomas Street façade, and third floor windows directly above the two doors as well as the attic window facing Thomas Street exhibit similar styling but lack transoms. A side-gabled roof covers the entire front portion of the building and features a stepped parapet on the Thomas Street elevation. Two rear additions were made to the building, both prior to 1860. One of these, located at the building’s southeast corner, was removed in the mid 20th century.

Newton House/Commercial Hotel/Colonial Hotel (c.1850) – 171-191 East Broad Street This building began as the Newton House, a well-known Athens hotel of the 1850s. Prosperous local merchant Elizur L. Newton had the building constructed and owned it until the 1890s, when it became the Commercial Hotel. Substantially remodeled in the 1920s, the old Newton House was faced with new brick and renamed the Colonial Hotel. It later housed the Varsity restaurant for many years near mid-century and today contains a variety of commercial and office uses. Although much different from its original appearance, the structure’s present appearance is historic and the building is considered a contributing resource within the local historic district.

First Presbyterian Church (1856) – 185 East Hancock Street Designed by prominent local architect Ross Crane, the First Presbyterian Church exhibits a temple form with Greek Doric hexastyle portico. The building has a three-bay front, six-bay sides, and rear wings added in the mid-1960s. As originally constructed, the building featured a recessed Greek Doric porch with an octagonal steeple with cupola, but in 1902 the present portico was added and the recessed porch was converted to a vestibule.

6 Old National Bank of Athens (c.1866) – 297 East Broad Street This Gothic-inspired two-story building is stucco-faced with the front façade scored to give the appearance of stone. Italianate arched windows and battlements at the parapet are other distinctive features that add character to this building.

F.M. Coker Cotton Warehouse (c.1890) – 112 South Foundry Street Perhaps the most elaborate warehouse building remaining in downtown Athens, this structure is three stories in height but is built into a hillside, and thus only two levels are above ground at the building’s front (Foundry Street elevation). The ground level of the Foundry Street façade features round-arched window and door openings while the upper level has segmental arched windows. Full-height pilasters and a pedimented brick parapet distinguish the front elevation. The rear of the building forms a loading area directly adjacent to the railroad.

T. Fleming & Sons Hardware Building (c.1885) – 351 East Clayton Street This three-story is a fine example of the Romanesque Revival style. Constructed of brick, the building is distinguished by three, large, round arches trimmed with granite, several stone string courses, and a decorative stone parapet. The storefront level has been altered by removal of granite-trimmed arches similar to those above.

McLellan Building (c.1888) – 255-275 East Clayton Street Unusual in Athens due to its Second Empire styling, this building originated as a hotel and was converted for use by the Athens Shoe Company and other businesses. The key Second Empire feature is the building’s mansard roof with hexagonal shingles. Four gabled dormers emanate from the front slope of the mansard roof and second level windows feature bracketed flat pediments. The truncated central tower originally featured a domed top section.

Athens Savings Bank Building (1892) – 283 East Broad Street Another excellent example of Romanesque Revival design, this three story building features a stone- faced ground level with the main entrance hidden behind a very large arch while upper levels are of brick accented by more stone. There is a stone entablature at the parapet topped by a gable decorated with brackets.

Farmers Hardware Building (c.1900) – 580 East Broad Street Constructed as a combination wholesale grocery store and cotton warehouse, this building features a two-story front section with 1-over-1 flat arch windows trimmed in granite with a granite string course beneath the second-story windows. Rear sections of the building exhibit a series of arched door and window openings on the ground level.

Athens City Hall (1903) – 301 College Avenue Occupying tree-shaded and landscaped grounds, the yellow brick City Hall was designed by architect L. F. Goodrich. It rises two stories above a daylight basement and reflects the Classical and Renaissance Revival influences of the day. The basement level is faced with granite blocks and granite steps that lead up to one-story entrance porticoes facing College Avenue and Washington and Hancock streets. The primary (College Avenue) entrance features double doors with fanlight and sidelights. Corners are elaborated with quoins and horizontal recessed brick courses on the first story give the building a rusticated look. The cornice and central pedimented gables are decorated with brackets. Above the building rises a central cupola with clocks facing north, south, east and west. The cupola is capped by a green copper-clad dome with an eagle weathervane crowning the lantern.

7 Old Federal Building (1906) – 300 College Avenue A distinctive three-story brick building with stone trim, this large structure exhibits Neoclassical Revival detailing. The entrance is situated behind a round-arched arcade, and windows on the ground level are similarly arched. The second and third levels are distinguished by two-story pilasters separating rectangular windows on the second level and small round windows on the third. A wide classical cornice and stone balustrade cap the building.

Southern Mutual Insurance Building (1908) – 220 College Avenue This seven-story building, Athens’ first “skyscraper,” is one of northeast Georgia’s finest examples of the Commercial style. The main entrance is flanked by engaged rusticated columns supporting an entablature that features the name of the building and a plaque with two hands clasped in a handshake. A metal awning extends out over the central entrance and is crested with classical acroteria reflecting the larger ornaments executed in stone on the parapets. The cornice of the building is elaborated with dentils and huge scroll brackets.

Georgian Hotel (1909) – 247 East Washington Street Designed by Atlanta architect Ten Eyck Brown, the five-story Georgian Hotel was built at a cost of $200,000 and established a new standard for public accommodations in Athens. Constructed of brick, the building is divided into three horizontal sections by stone belt courses between the first and second and the fourth and fifth floors. Large round-arched windows with stained-glass panels in upper portions distinguish the first floor. Second and third floor windows are rectangular with segmental arches of alternating brick and stone while fourth floor windows are round-arched, each with a single stone keystone. Fifth floor windows are rectangular, and the building is topped by a heavy cornice and stone balustrade.

Holman Building (1913) – 100 East Clayton Street A fine example of the Commercial style, the Holman Building was opened offering 168 offices for rent. The ground level exhibits stone facing while the eight upper stories have brick exteriors. A stone belt course separates the eighth and ninth floors and a large cornice tops the structure. Not initially successful as an office building, the Holman Building was converted to the Holman Hotel. In the 1960s the interior was redesigned and the building housed the principal Athens offices of C & S Bank, with business and professional offices again located on upper levels.

Clarke County Courthouse (1913) – 325 East Washington Street Designed by Ten Eyck Brown in the Neoclassical style, the four-story Clarke County Courthouse is constructed of yellow brick. The front elevation is dominated by six three-story Ionic columns that support a recessed entrance and are covered with a tile that matches the brick. The building’s center section is only three stories in height with a balustrade above while flanking portions stand four stories tall. A heavy entablature and cornice separate the third and fourth floors. A parking deck was constructed directly east of the courthouse in the 1980s and a large courthouse annex was added to the rear of the original structure in the early 1990s; neither is within the local district boundaries.

Michael Brothers Department Store Building (1921) – 320 East Clayton Street Designed by prominent Atlanta architect Neel Reid, this three-story stone-faced building exhibits Renaissance Revival styling such as shown in the rusticated first floor level exterior surface and large arched display window openings. All second and third level windows are rectangular, with those on the second level featuring entablatures. Six pilasters extend from just above the rusticated first level up to a classical entablature. A balustrade tops the building.

8 The following is information on each resource in the Downtown Athens Local Historic District, organized by street address:

Property Address / Tax Parcel # Contributing/Non-contributing Determination Photo # • Historic Name/Common or Current Name (if known) • Date of Construction • Statement of integrity: This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. This building was constructed after the period of significance for the district and therefore is a noncontributing resource. This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. The following will be provided for historic** buildings only. • Style/building type • Key contributing design elements • Significant alterations/non-contributing elements (dates of in some cases)

[**Historic – A “historic” building is, for the purposes of this designation report, a building that was constructed during the period of significance, i.e., 1801 - 1960.]

EAST BROAD STREET – 100 BLOCK

115 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel # 17-1-B5 B-1 Noncontributing Photo #2 • none/Bank of America adjunct building (current) • c. 1965 • This building was constructed after the period of significance for the district and therefore is a noncontributing resource.

131 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-A7 Noncontributing Photos #3 & #4 • Parking deck/converted to apartments c. 1970 (current) • c. 1955 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • All façades have been completely altered such that there are no significant original or historic materials in evidence.

151 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 B-4 Noncontributing Photo #5 • unknown/Bombay Café (current) • c. 1930

9 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • None/1-Part Commercial Block • None evident. • Front façade renovated c. 1990 after previous alterations had resulted in the removal of at least some of the original material.

163 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 B-5 Noncontributing Photo #6 • None/Bel-Jean Copy Center (current) • c. 1970 • This building was constructed after the period of significance for the district and therefore is a noncontributing resource.

167 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B-5 B-6 Noncontributing Photo #7 • None/Coldstone Creamery (current) • c. 1990 • This building was constructed after the period of significance for the district and therefore is a noncontributing resource.

171-191 E. Broad Street / 17-1-B5 B-300 Contributing Photos #8 & #9 • Newton House – Colonial Hotel/commonly referred to as The Varsity building • c. 1850 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Colonial Revival/2-Part Commercial Block • c. 1920s common bond brick exterior; cornice with modillions; c. 1920s balustrade above cornice; pilasters balcony at main entrance on Broad Street facade. • Although much of this building’s appearance is not original, most of the alterations are themselves historic and the building is therefore considered to be a contributing resource.

EAST BROAD STREET – 200 BLOCK

225-229 E. Broad Street & 100 College Avenue / Contributing Tax Parcel 17-1-B-5 D-12/D-13 Photo #12 • Unknown/Starbucks and Five Star Day Café (current) • c. 1865 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 19th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Entablature with dentils supported by brackets, all in brick; two storefronts; recessed entrance flanked by wooden display windows (east storefront); 6-over-6 windows (east upper facade); fluted cast iron columns (west storefront); brick pilaster with pillar at building’s southwest corner;

10 • Significant alterations include nonhistoric single pane windows on west storefront and upper façade as well as the upper façade of the building’s west side elevation; nonhistoric, nonfunctional shutters flanking upper level windows (west upper façade and west side elevation).

233-247 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel 17-1-B5 D-14/D/15 Contributing Photo #13 • Unknown/unknown and Taco Stand (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Decorative cornice with entablature supported by brackets; two storefronts; large display windows with transoms above (east storefront); heavy masonry sills; decorative window caps (upper level). • Significant alterations include stucco exterior; modification of west storefront; 1-over-1 windows (west upper façade).

259 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel 17-1-B8 Noncontributing Photo #14 • Unknown/Mellow Mushroom (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Front façade has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence. (Brick upper façade installed c. 1970s; present upper level windows and storefront alterations c. 1990.)

279 E. Broad Street/ Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 D-16 Contributing Photo #15 • R. M. Smith’s Drug Store/University Bank of Athens/Harry Bissetts (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Four Ionic columns on storefront level supporting entablature beneath upper façade; transoms over display windows and door. • Original upper façade windows replaced with single-pane windows.

283 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 D-17 Contributing Photo #16 • Athens Savings Bank (1892-1928)/National Bank (1928-1950)/Parrott Insurance Company/283 Bar (current) • c. 1850/c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Italianate and Romanesque Revival/3-Part Vertical Block

11 • Stone-faced ground level highlighted by massive round-arched arcade; upper levels are of brick with stone accents; stone entablature at the parapet topped by a gable decorated with brackets • Building believed to incorporate an earlier two-story structure, which was increased to three stories in the mid-1880s.

297 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 D-18 Contributing Photo #17 • National Bank of Athens/Expresso Royale (current) • c. 1866 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Italianate and Gothic Influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Pointed parapet; battlements; circular vent above second level windows; distinctive window surrounds • Stucco facing; nonhistoric awning

EAST BROAD STREET – 300 BLOCK

311-333 E. Broad Street/ Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 D-6 Contributing Photo #21 • Morris Building/ Broad St. Bar & Grill (current) • 1914 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Shallow-arched parapet; cornice with dentils; large display windows with transoms and recessed entrances; stone lintels and sills (second level windows) • Nonhistoric 4-over-1 upper level windows installed c. 2000.

312 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 B-6 Contributing Photo #22 • Opera House/Tasty World (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Italianate/2-Part Commercial Block • Cast iron columns; distinctive segmental and round arched window openings; decorative brick pilasters and cornice; central pediment above third level; Jackson Street façade (west side) has similar windows and brick detailing. • Believed to have been constructed as an opera house, this building was remodeled for use as a dry goods store within a few years of its construction. In the 1990s the original storefront was altered and now the entrance and flanking windows are deeply recessed.

346 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 B-5 Contributing Photo #23 • H.T. Huggins & Sons Crockery & Tin Ware Shop (until late 1930s)/Ritz Theatre Motion Pictures (1942-1952)/Morris Held Paint Store (mid 1950s to mid 1980s)/One Love Music and Dance Hall

12 • c. 1915 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Art Deco-Moderne/2-Part Commercial Block • Smooth wall plane articulated with vertical and horizontal recessed bands; step parapet. • Original storefront altered with installation of metal-framed display windows and doors; original transom covered with curving metal awning-type feature.

350 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 B-4 Contributing Photo #24 • Cofer’s Seed Company (1940s to late 1980s)/Achim’s K-Bobs (Current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Symmetrical façade and central entrance and flanking display windows; 1-over-1 upper level windows with stone stills; lintels with keystones. • Cornice removed and/or covered; original front door replaced; blonde brick possibly not original.

351 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 D-7 Contributing Photo #25 • Rochester Clothing Company (early 1900s)/East West Bistro (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • round arched upper level 2-over-2 windows; corbelled brick cornice; transoms. • Storefront altered c. 1950 – changed from two entrances to one.

364 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 B-3 Contributing Photo #26 • unknown/Gus’ (current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • 9-over-9 upper level windows; flat stone lintels with keystones; flat unadorned brick parapet. • Storefront alterations c. 2005.

378 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 B-2 Contributing Photo #27 • unknown/Chastains (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block

13 • Wide cornice with brackets and dentils and brick parapet above; upper façade stuccoed and scored to give appearance of stone; 1-over-1 windows; stone sills and lintels with keystones. • Original storefront altered with installation of metal-framed windows, but general original appearance of recessed double-door entrance remains; upper façade stuccoed and scored to give stone appearance.

382 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 B-1 Contributing Photo #28 • Webb & Crawford Bakery/UGA Office of University Architects (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Queen Anne/2-Part Commercial Block • Recessed entry with transom; large display windows; cast iron storefront cornice; masonry piers; upper façade features masonry piers with brick corbelling that raises the piers above the parapet; upper piers feature pyramidal cast stone caps; stylized brick pilasters flank the center upper window and also rise above the parapet wall, and they are also topped with stone caps; decorative brick corbelling along the parapet. • Original façade believed replaced in 1896 (date on parapet, façade brick appears different from that on the west side elevation); display windows replaced c.1990s; upper windows replaced with single pane windows also c.1990.

EAST BROAD STREET – 400 BLOCK

401 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 D-8 Contributing Photo #29 • unknown/DePalmas (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Symmetrical front façade; recessed entrance with double doors; paired 15-light upper level windows with stone lintels and sills; brick corbelling at entablature; segmental arched windows on Wall Street (west side) elevation. • Original display windows replaced with metal-framed windows.

424 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 A-3 Contributing Photo #30 • unknown/UGA Business Office (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Corner pilasters with stylized bases and corner capitals; 1-over-1 windows on second level; narrow cast stone band forms continuous sill; stone lintels; round-arch on third level contains two windows; parapet topped by a heavy cornice with dentil molding and balustrade

14 • Storefront level completely altered c. 1970 to join with 434 East Broad and consists of a series of segmented arches topped by a standing seam metal awning. This building was two stories in height when constructed and the third level was added c. 1910.

427/429 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 D-3 Contributing Photo #164 • Department Store/ Porterhouse Grill (current) • c. 1960 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity on the Broad Street elevation. • 2-Part Commercial Block • The Clayton Street façade (see separate listing) has non-historic alterations to contain classical elements.

431/459 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 D-2 Noncontributing Photo #165 • Maxwell Furniture/ Deupree Building (current) • Constructed between 1964 and 1973 • Major renovation in 2016 to both Clayton Street and Broad Street elevations

434 E. Broad Street / 17-1-B6 A-3 Contributing Photo #31 • unknown/UGA Business Office (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Flat masonry with a decorative cornice at the parapet featuring dentil molding and balustrade very similar to that of 424 East Broad; windows are a mix of 1-over-1, 2-over-2 and 4-over-4 and feature stone sills; stone lintels. • Storefront level completely altered c. 1970 to join with 424 East Broad and consists of a series of segmented arches topped by a standing seam metal awning. This building was two stories in height when constructed and the third level was added c. 1910.

456 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel # 17-1-B6 A-2 Contributing Photo #32 • Griffeth Implement Company/Griffeth Motor Company/UGA (current) • c. 1905 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Central entrance; 12-over-12 windows on 2nd and 3rd levela; brick pilasters rising to cornice at third level; brackets supporting narrow awning; parapet wall with recessed panels and crenulated effect rises above awning. • Storefront level altered, with replacement metal framed entrance and windows; openings flanking entrance have been filled in and decorated with blind segmented arches matching those found on 424/434 East Broad. 15

480 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel 17-1-B6 A-1 Contributing Photo #33 • Franklin House/Franklin House • c. 1845 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Greek Revival/2-Part Commercial Block • Greek Revival-styled doorway with transom and sidelights at second level; similarly styled third level window directly above; 6-over-6 windows with functional shutters; side-gabled roof with stepped parapet on Thomas Street elevation. • Significant alterations include installation of a cast iron storefront (Broad Street elevation) in the 1880s; two rear additions were made prior to 1860, but one was removed in the mid 20th century.

EAST BROAD STREET – 500 BLOCK

580 East Broad Street Contributing Photo #34 • Billups Phinizy Cotton Warehouse & Grocery/Farmer’s Hardware/(currently residential) • c. 1895 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Italianate influence • Constructed as a combination wholesale grocery store and cotton warehouse; two-story front section with 1-over-1 flat arch windows trimmed in granite; granite string course beneath the second-story windows; rear sections exhibit a series of arched door and window openings on the ground level. • No significant exterior alterations.

EAST CLAYTON STREET – 100 BLOCK

100 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 B-17 Contributing Photo #37 • Holman Building/Bank of America (current) • 1913/1963(date of alteration) • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/3-Part Vertical Block • Brick veneer with Flemish bond; concrete detailing: recessed panels above first level windows, belt courses on second and eighth levels and ninth floor ceiling line and roofline; parapet; three- bay center pavilion with pediment and centered medallion; entrance level (Clayton Street façade) features centered recessed entrance with plate glass, double doors and transom; 9-over-9 windows on first level and 6-over-6 windows above. • Major renovation in 1963 under the direction of Athens architect Clarence Wilmer Heery, Jr. – interior gutted and exterior re-faced to create another interpretation of the Colonial Revival style.

16 101-115 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 A-1 & A-2 Contributing Photos #42, #43 & #45 • unknown/Hortons (101 E. Clayton) and Kum’s Fashions (115 E. Clayton) (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Centrally positioned recessed entrance; large plate glass display windows; round-arched 2-over-2 upper level windows with stone sills; corbelled brick cornice. • Virtually the entire original façade of 101 East Clayton was covered with nonhistoric metal in the mid 1950s; original door of 115 East Clayton and door top upper level both replaced.

120-124 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel 17-1-B5 B-16 Noncontributing Photo #46 • unknown/Lee’s Wigs (current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • No academic style/1-Part Commercial Block • no contributing design elements • Front façade has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence.

121 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 A-3 Contributing Photos #44 & #47 • Grocery store & hotel(1880s)/Athens Fruit Company (early 20th century)/ Kum’s Fashion Shoes (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Recessed entrance on the far left (west) of storefront and large display windows; 2-over-2 round arch windows on upper façade with simple corbelled cornice above. • Original storefront altered with installation of metal-framed entrance and display windows.

125-131 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 A-4, A-5 Contributing Photo #48 • Grocery store (1890s)/Martin Brothers Shoe Store (early 20th century)/Aurum Studios and Lamar Lewis Shoes (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • 125 East Clayton has a cast iron storefront with recessed entrance; right side door provides access to upper level; 1-over-1 upper level windows with small transoms; decorative stone round arches above window openings; cornice with brackets and a large pediment with dentils. 17 • Some first level transom openings on 125 East Clayton have been covered. The original storefront level windows and entrance of 131 East Clayton have been replaced with metal-framed windows and entrance and the upper level has been entirely covered with designed concrete panels.

134-136 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel # 17-1-B5 B-15 Contributing Photos #49 & #50 • Majestic Theater/Roly Poly Sandwich Shop & Fetish Shoes (current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Two storefronts; all-glass doors and large plate glass display windows; transoms over display windows and entrances; cast iron storefront cornice; four 1-over-1 windows with stone sills in upper façade • Original display window and door frames replaced by metal-framed windows and doors in both storefronts; reconfiguration of western storefront (134 E. Clayton); some transoms covered with plywood; decorative upper level cornice removed.

140-146 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B5 B-14 Contributing Photo #51 • Morton Building/Helix (current) • 1907 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Exterior walls of smoothly dressed, rusticated stone masonry; mirror image storefronts separated by central, double door entrance to upper level; storefronts have recessed entrances with double doors; transoms above doors and display windows; upper façade has 1-over-1 windows with transoms above a belt course; vertical blocks and full-length molding identify the parapet.

145 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 A-6A Contributing Photo #52 • Athens Fruit Company/Transmetropolitan (current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Round-arched, 1-over-1 upper façade windows; brick corbelling at cornice. • Entire storefront altered c. 1990s.

151 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 A-7 Contributing Photo #53 • Haygood Building/unknown • C. 1892 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Victorian Romanesqe/2-Part Commercial Block 18 • Cast iron storefront features double-door entrance and second entrance at left (west) side providing access to upper level; large display windows and transoms; round-arched second and third level windows with stone lintels and sills; upper façade features masonry piers that rise above the parapet and feature pyramidal cast stone caps; elaborate pediment at center of parapet; cornice with brackets.

154 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 B-13 Contributing Photo #54 • Elite Theater/Fortson’s Clothing (current) • c. 1900 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Storefront is slightly inset and features a centrally-positioned, recessed entrance; display windows and door have transoms above; wide wood band with a series of recessed, rectangular panels separates the storefront from the second level; upper façade features 9-over-9 windows with stone lintels and sills; corbelling above upper windows; parapet with deep, full-length recessed panel. • Façade altered with new storefront c. 1980s.

155 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 A-8A Noncontributing Photo #55 • Unknown/The Bulldog Store (current) • c. 1900 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • No longer evident. • No contributing design elements • Front façade has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence.

164-166 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 B-12 Contributing Photo #56 • unknown/The Loft & Barcode (current) • c. 1925 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Two double-door entrances (one for each storefront) separated by a single door providing access to the upper level; large display windows with multi-light transoms above; decorative upper façade brickwork and ceramic tile panels; three upper bays each containing triple-hung sash windows (9- over-9-over-9); parapet with raised center and corners. • Storefront windows and doors are replacements.

165-175 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 A-9 Contributing Photo #57 19 • Restaurant (first level)/Athenaeum Hotel (2nd & 3rd levels) 1913-1918/Graham Hotel 1926- 1947/Glass Objects & Cillies Clothing (current) • c. 1905 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Romanesque Revival influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Three-story building with Ionic pilasters dividing the façade into three vertical bays consisting of a wide center bay and narrower flanking bays; painted brick exterior; building presently divided into two storefronts – one occupying the narrow left side bay and the other occupying the center and right side bays; windows on second level are flat-arched and 1-over-1 while window openings on the third level are round- and segmental-arched but have been infilled with plywood; decorative elements on the upper facade include the pilaster capitals and recessed rectangular panels as well as a substantial metal cornice with low parapet above. • Storefront level altered – left storefront is completely nonhistoric while other lower level windows and doors are nonhistoric metal replacements.

174-184 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 B-11 Noncontributing Photo #58 • Heery’s Too (current) • c. 1930 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • No academic style/1-Part Commercial Block • No contributing design elements • Front façade has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence.

186 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 B-10B Noncontributing Photo #59 • unknown/Encore (current) • c. 1960 • This building was constructed after the period of significance for the district and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • Three-story hotel located on this site through 1950.

193-197 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 A-9 Contributing Photo #60 • Thomas N. Lester Building/Shackleford Building/Frontier, Native American Gallery, Bizarro Comics Toys & Records, and Wuxtry (current) • c. 1905 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Clayton Street elevation is divided into three bays, each with a triparte division; stucco exterior finish; string courses above the second and third floors; storefronts have been considerably altered; windows on second and third levels are 1-over-1, some infilled. 20 • Storefronts considerably altered – metal-framed windows and doors are nonhistoric, transoms have been covered and awnings are nonhistoric in appearance.

EAST CLAYTON STREET – 200 BLOCK

216-220 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 D-8 Contributing Photo #63 • unknown/Cookies & Company, La Bodega (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Queen Anne/2-Part Commercial Block • Distinctive corner building with pressed tin/metal façade details; two storefronts with recessed entrances on the Clayton Street façade; steps down to a basement business beneath a large awning on the College Avenue façade; metal Corinthian pilaster and tall, narrow 1-over-1 windows (paired windows at the corner); prominent second level entablature is decorated with pressed tin; gabled parapet at the corner also with decorative pressed tin. • Original transom has been covered on left Clayton Street storefront and doors and windows have nonhistoric metal framing; awning and basement storefront treatment on College Avenue façade not historic.

224 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 D-7 Contributing Photo #64 • unknown/Margo Sterling Silver (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Storefront level has one retail entrance – a single wood and glass door – as well as a second door to the upper level; display windows are metal framed; a transom above the display windows is composed of numerous small, square glass blocks; the upper level has three bays, each with a single 1-over-1 window with polychromatic voussoirs and keystone; four brick pilasters support a projecting brick horizontal band while the uppermost portion of the façade is a parapet with concrete trim. • Storefront windows and doors appear to be replacements and the transom might have originally been some other configuration rather than the small glass blocks.

227 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 C-6 Contributing Photo #65 • Stern Building (Stern’s men’s clothing store originally)/George Dean’s Clothing (current) • c. 1905 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Romanesque influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Two-story building with basically intact upper level and altered storefront; brick corbelling and recessed panels below the five second-level windows, which have granite sills and lintels; five 21 blind, rusticated stone arches are situated directly above the upper windows; the cornice features five recessed panels with granite outlines and a corbelled parapet with the “Stern” name at the center. • Storefront altered with replacement metal doors and display windows and a nonhistoric flat metal awning; transoms have been covered.

228 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 D-6 Contributing Photos #66 & #67 • unknown/Athena Jewelers (current) • c. 1900 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Two-story, stucco-faced building with a single storefront; off-center entrance is recessed; upper level features a group of four 2-over-2 windows and a stepped parapet above. • Original brick exterior covered with stucco; storefront altered; original 2nd story windows replaced.

233 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 C-7B Contributing Photo #68 • E. H. Dorsey Clothing Store (original use)/Amici’s Italian Café (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Second Empire influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Two-story building with intact upper level and altered storefront level; recessed central entrance; upper level features four flat-arched openings each with double doors opening onto narrow balconies with cast iron railings; parapet with corbels and dentils; terra cotta panels and capitals. • Storefront altered with installation of glass block surrounding square display windows; transoms covered.

238-246 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B8 Noncontributing Photos #69 & #70 • unknown/Masada Leather & Genco Import Co. (current) • c. 1900 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • No longer evident • No contributing design elements • Front façade has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence.

255-275 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 C-7 Contributing Photos #71 & 72 • Built as a hotel/Brass Monkey, Barberritos, Angelos, etc. (current)

22 • c. 1888 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Second Empire style • Three-story building with mansard roof, four gabled roof dormers, and remaining square base of the original turret; roofing material appears much like the original slate although it is an imitation material; a cornice with dentils is just below the edge of the roof; second level 1-over-1 windows feature cast concrete hoods. • Original metal-clad turret removed fairly early in the 20th century; storefronts altered with transoms covered and original windows and doors replaced.

256 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 D-3 Contributing Photo #73 • unknown/Allgood (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource.

• 2-Part Commercial Block • Building retains original brick 2nd-story exterior with some detailing, 3-story brick tower, and round- arched window openings. • The building burned in the late 1980s leaving only a partial front-façade. It was rebuilt c. 2000 at which time a solid metal garage door with a large metal awning was installed as the storefront. The garage door was replaced a few years later by the current fixed windows and a smaller, metal door.

264 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 D-2 Contributing Photo #74 • unknown/Schoolkids Records (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Queen Anne and Italianate influence • Two-and-one-half story building with one storefront on the first level; two doors at the right side of the storefront level – one providing access to the upper floors and the other serving as the business entrance; two large display windows with six small transom lights above; metal storefront cornice above the transom; second level is divided into two bays – east bay has three, narrow, 1- over-1, round-arched windows while the west bay has three windows within a single large round arch; second-level cornice is supported by two corbels and by three pairs of modillions; third level (a half story) consists of two gabled roof dormers – the dormer to the east has a pair of 2-over-2 windows with pressed tin detail in the gable while to the west is a gabled wall dormer with a single segmental-arched window with a hoodmold. • No significant exterior alterations.

278 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 D-1A Contributing Photo #75 • unknown/Adams Optics (current) 23 • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Italianate influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Two story building with altered storefront and intact upper level; three narrow, upper level 1-over-1 windows with round arches and brick hoods; second level cornice is supported by two corbels on each end and by modillions in between; low parapet above the cornice. • Storefront level altered with installation of nonhistoric metal-framed display windows and door.

282 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 D-1 Contributing Photo #76 • unknown/Citizen’s Pharmacy 1912-1971/Pitaya (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Italianate influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Two story building with altered storefront and intact upper level; three flat-arched upper level 1- over-1 windows with stone lintels and sills; brick corner pilasters support corbelled entablature. • Storefront level altered with installation of nonhistoric metal-framed display windows, transom, and double doors; wide cornice separating storefront and upper façade.

283 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B5 C-8 Contributing Photo #77 • unknown/Foster’s Jewelers (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • The 3-story, east (side) façade of the building, which faces Jackson Street, has original brick materials, with brick stringcourses and pilasters, and intact window surrounds. • Front façade has been completely altered (1966) – storefront reconfigured such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence; upper stories covered.

EAST CLAYTON STREET – 300 BLOCK

301-321 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B6 C-8/C-9 Contributing Photos #80 & #81 • unknown/Flanigan’s Bar & The Firehouse (current) • c. 1905 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Three-story building with Corinthian pilasters at corners and off-center, dividing the front façade into two unequal-sized storefronts and upper facades; upper levels have 1-over-1 windows in groups of three and individual, all with stone sills; stone cornice and brick corbelling at top of 24 upper façade. • Both storefronts altered with recessed entrances and nonhistoric fenestration patterns.

320 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B6 D-5 Contributing Photo #82 • Michael Brothers Building (designed by firm of Neel Reid – Hentz, Reid and Adler)/Doc Chey’s Noodle House and upstairs offices (current) • 1922 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Neoclassical Revival/ 2-Part Vertical Block • Rusticated first level exterior; large arched display window openings; six upper façade pilasters with Ionic capitals; distinctive upper façade window surrounds; classical entablature. • No significant exterior alterations.

335 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B6 C-10 Contributing Photos #83 & #84 • unknown • c. 1900 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Romanesque Revival/2-Part Vertical Block • 2nd and 3rd story front façade retains original brick exterior, window opening with granite lintels, and recessed panels. • 1st floor storefront has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence. 2nd and 3rd story windows are not original. Appears that some architectural detailing has been removed from upper stories.

351 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B6 C-11 Contributing Photos #85 & #86 • T. Fleming & Sons Hardware (original)/Frameworks/The Dog Pen (current) • c. 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Richardsonian Romanesque/2-Part Commercial Block • Three-story building with distinctive granite arches over third-level 1-over-1 windows (three groups of three, each group beneath one arch); rusticated granite detailing at cornice; terra cotta panels between second and third level windows; six 1-over-1 windows on second level. • Storefront level considerably altered – three original granite arches removed and two storefronts created.

361 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B6 C-12 Contributing Photo #87 • unknown/Amber Dreams Jewelry • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. 25 • 2-Part Commercial Block • Upper façade exhibits three unusual pointed arches – larger middle arch is over three 1-over-1 windows with a transom while the side arches are over paired 1-over-1 windows also with transoms; broken cornice with pedimented parapet. • Original storefront level considerably altered – entire storefront is now recessed and windows and doors are not original.

EAST CLAYTON STREET – 400 BLOCK

400 E. Clayton Street / 17-1-B6 D-4 Contributing Photos #88 & #89 • Unknown/J.C. Penny Dept. Store (1940s & 1950s)/Village Idiot (current) • c. 1895 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Central double-door entrance with flanking display windows and transoms above; door to upper levels at left side of front façade; stone belt course beneath second-level windows; upper windows are 1-over-1 and in groups of three (two groups on front elevation); single-pane windows on upper level of right (west) side elevation. • Storefront level altered to some extent; not certain of original appearance.

420 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 D-3 Contributing Photo #166 • Department Store/ multiple bars and restaurants (current) • c. 1960 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity on the Broad Street elevation only (see separate listing). • 2-Part Commercial Block • The Clayton Street façade is non-contributing as it has non-historic alterations to contain classical elements such as quoins, simple cornice, pilasters, and jack arches with keystones. The original design matched that remaining on the Broad Street elevation.

458 E. Clayton Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 D-2 Noncontributing Photo #167 • Maxwell Furniture/ Deupree Building (current) • Constructed between 1964 and 1973 • Major renovation in 2016 to both Clayton Street and Broad Street elevations

485 E. Broad Street / Tax Parcel #17-1-B6 C-17 Noncontributing Photo #168 • Tire sales and service/ convenience store and restaurants (current) • Built by 1950 • Significant contemporary modifications including change in orientation from Thomas Street

26 WEST CLAYTON STREET – 100 BLOCK

159 W. Clayton Street / 17-1-A5 D-1 Contributing Photo #90 • unknown/Georgia Bar (current) • c.1900 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Front façade retains original window openings and transom openings; west side façade, which faces an alley, remains intact. West side. 1st floor façade retains original exterior stone façade. • Front façade has been substantially altered – scored stucco applied over brick, windows and door replaced, transom covered.

COLLEGE AVENUE – 100 BLOCK

114 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 D-11 Contributing Photo #93 • Commercial Bank/Lunch Paper • 1922 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Art Nouveau/2-Part Commercial Block • White ceramic tiles cover the entire front façade; stylized pilasters at either corner rise from brick foundation to support the entablature with pedimented parapet above; second level has five tall windows (replacements), each with a small transom. • Storefront altered – originally featured an iron awning with glass block transom that has been infilled.

128 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 D-10 Contributing Photo #94 • McDowell Building/Western Union Building/Rage Hair Studio (current) • 1885 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Queen Anne influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Symmetrical front elevation with a cast iron storefront surround (by McHose & Lyon Ironworks, Dayton, Ohio) and central entry to the second level; cast iron details include stylized pilasters with recessed horizontal bands, rosettes, and an entablature above the entire ground level; two storefronts (with alterations); upper level has segmental-arched openings with paired, 1-over-1 windows; central upper level window is a single, 1-over-1 window; granite sills; upper façade has three decorated bands of bricks consisting of two courses of bricks turned with alternating corners facing out; cornice features decorative brackets and overhanging entablature; central pediment. • Storefronts altered – transom openings retained but all below is nonhistoric.

27 156-170 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 D-9 Contributing Photo #95 • Vonderlieth Building (originally a clothing store downstairs and residence upstairs)/Marvin Shoe Service & McColly’s (current) • c. 1860 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Italianate influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Stucco-faced brick front elevation, scored to resemble large stone blocks; two storefronts; entrance to second level at the building’s north corner; south storefront is raised slightly and accessed by steps; upper level has six 1-over-1 windows with non-functional shutters; cornice with brackets supporting an entablature. • Entrances are not original; non-functional shutters added (building may have had shutters originally but none appear in an 1898 photograph); upper level windows would not have been 1- over-1 originally.

157 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 B-8 Contributing Photo #96 • Thomas Carnes residence/The Clubhouse (current) • c. 1840 (This is one of the oldest buildings in downtown Athens – possibly as early as 1824 although the construction date is uncertain; it was originally a residence and not put to commercial use until c. 1870.) • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Vernacular/no academic style • 2nd story window openings and original form remain intact. • 1st floor storefront has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence; second level has non-functional shutters and 6-over-6 windows that are replacements of original windows.

171 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 B-9 Contributing Photos #97 & #98 • Myers Building/The Grill (current) • 1892 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Queen Anne & Romanesque influence/ 3-Part Vertical Block • Distinctive brick building with stone trim; double-door entrance at right side with two display windows centered between this main entrance and a door on the left side leading to upper levels; second level windows are 1-over-1, segmental-arched and feature stone trim; third level windows are 1-over-1, round-arched and feature stone trim; sills are stone; a cornice with shallow modillions is situated across the top of the building with large brackets at the two corners; a pedimented dormer extends from the hipped roof at the center of the front-facing roof slope and there is a tower at the southeast corner of the building. • Storefront level altered with nonhistoric metal-framed windows and doors and projecting metal 28 awning.

194 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 B-10 Noncontributing (195 College Avenue is the building’s mailing address) Photo #99 • Heery’s (current) • c. 1945 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • Only remaining historic element appears to be the existing terrazzo flooring at the entrance. • Building has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence. The current building was constructed as Marilyn Shoes on the site of a nineteenth century building (an extension of the adjacent Myer’s Building). This one-story structure was identifiable by its curvilinear, Art Moderne canopy (with appropriate graphics) at the corner. The existing terrazzo flooring at the entrance appears to be a remnant of this phase and shows the line of the orthogonal corner entrance. More recently, the canopy and the storefront from this period were removed and replaced with the current ones, perhaps in the 60s. The upper part of the façade is clad in some sort of panel.

COLLEGE AVENUE – 200 BLOCK

220 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 C-5 Contributing Photos #100, #101 & #102 • Southern Mutual Building • 1908 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial style • Seven story building at a prominent corner location (NE corner College and Clayton); brick-faced reinforced concrete construction; entrance flanked by engaged rusticated columns supporting an entablature that features the name of the building and a plaque with two hands clasped in a handshake; metal awning extends out over the central entrance; windows on levels two through five and also seven are paired, flat-arched, 1-over-1 windows while those on level six are paired segmental-arched windows; the building’s cornice is elaborated with dentils and huge scroll brackets. • No significant exterior alterations other than the installation of “The Fred Building” over the primary entrance.

230 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 C-4 Contributing Photo #103 • unknown/Crowe Law Firm (current) • c. 1920 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/1-Part Commercial Block 29 • A small, one story brick building with a nonhistoric lower portion; upper façade brickwork appears original and includes several horizontal bands and a parapet with concrete trim at the top. • The lower portion of the front façade has been altered – paired 18-light windows and recessed door are not original, nor is the stucco facing on the lower portion or the concrete “keystone” feature centered above this lower portion of the façade.

255 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 A-10 Noncontributing Photo #104 • A-CC College Avenue Parking Deck • c. 1990 • This building was constructed after the period of significance for the district and therefore is a noncontributing resource.

260-262 College Avenue / 17-1-B5 C-3A Noncontributing Photos #105 & #106 • unknown • c. 1955 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • No academic style/1-Part Commercial Block • No contributing design elements • In 1950 there was a 1-story office adjacent to 230 College Avenue and a filling station on the southeast corner of College and Washington. The current building located at 260/262 is present in a mid/late 1960s aerial photograph.

COLLEGE AVENUE – 300 BLOCK

300 College Avenue / 17-1-B1 G-2 Contributing Photo #107 • U. S. Post Office/First American Bank and Trust Company (current) • 1906 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Neoclassical Revival • Distinctive three-story brick building with stone trim; entrance is situated behind a round-arched arcade, and windows on the ground level are similarly arched; second and third levels are distinguished by two-story pilasters separating rectangular windows on the second level and small round windows on the third; wide classical cornice and stone balustrade cap the building. • No significant exterior alterations.

301 College Avenue / 17-1-B1 H-2 Contributing Photo #108 • Athens City Hall • 1903; Architect – Lewis Ford Goodrich • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic 30 integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Classical/Renaissance Revival • A two-story structure above a daylight basement; primary (College Avenue) entrance features double doors with fanlight and sidelights; basement level is faced with granite blocks and granite steps leading up to one-story entrance porticoes facing College Avenue and Washington and Hancock streets; corners are elaborated with quoins and horizontal recessed brick courses on the first story give the building a rusticated look; cornice and central pedimented gables are decorated with brackets; above the building rises a central cupola with clocks facing north, south, east and west; cupola is capped by a green copper-clad dome with an eagle weathervane crowning the lantern. • No significant exterior alterations.

SOUTH FOUNDRY STREET – 100 BLOCK

110 S. Foundry Street / 17-1-B4 Contributing Photo #110 • unknown/S & K Bike Shop, Inc. (current) • c.1960 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Unadorned one-story concrete block structure • Symmetrical front façade with central door and flanking groupings of 10-pane louvered windows; flat roof. • No significant exterior alterations.

112 S. Foundry Street / 17-1-B4 Contributing Photo #111 • F. M. Coker Cotton Warehouse and Athens Knitting Mill(1890s and early 1900s)/Lewis Shirt Mfg. Company(1910s)/Flagpole (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Romanesque Revival • Symmetrical front façade; structure is three stories in height but is built into a hillside so only two levels are above ground at the front (Foundry Street) elevation; round-arched window and door openings on first level and segmental arched window openings on the second level; full-height pilasters and pedimented brick parapet distinguish the front elevation; rear of the building forms a loading area directly adjacent to the railroad. • No significant exterior alterations.

EAST HANCOCK AVENUE – 100 BLOCK

115 E. Hancock Avenue / 17-1-A2 I-1 Contributing Photos #113 & #114 • U. S. Post Office and Court House (construction funded by Works Progress Administration) • 1942 31 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Neoclassical Revival/Temple Front • Symmetrical front façade; full-width, two-story front portico supported by square Doric columns; two entrances and 9-over-9 windows on first level; 6-over-6 windows on second level; 8-over-8 windows on third level. • No significant exterior alterations.

124 E. Hancock Avenue / 17-1-A2 J-2 Contributing Photos #115 & #116 • Athens First Bank & Trust • 1960 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Temple Front • Symmetrical front façade; Smooth marble exterior; two-story entrance portico supported by fluted Doric columns; double door entrance; 6-over-6 windows on both levels; hipped roof. • No significant exterior alterations.

150 E. Hancock Avenue / 17-1-B1 H-2 Contributing Photo #117 • Simon Michael Memorial Clinic Building/A-CC Economic Development Foundation • c. 1940 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • No academic style/no building type • Yellow brick exterior; recessed double door entrance with transom above; six pairs of 1-over-1 windows on front elevation; concrete belt course; flat roof. • No significant exterior alterations.

185 E. Hancock Avenue / 17-1-A2 I-2 Contributing Photo #118 • First Presbyterian Church • 1856 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Greek Revival • Temple form with Greek Doric hexastyle portico; three-bay front, six-bay sides; double-door pedimented entrance; stucco exterior finish. • Present portico added in 1902 when the original recessed Greek Doric porch was converted to a vestibule and the original octagonal steeple and cupola were removed); rear wing added c.1960.

193 E. Hancock Avenue / 17-1-A2 I-3 Contributing Photo #119 • Originally a residence/“Undertaking Parlor” in 1920s/library c. 1950s/now associated with the First Presbyterian Church 32 • c. 1850 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Federal style/Georgian House building type • Symmetrical front façade with pedimented central entrance with double doors; 9-over-9 windows; stucco exterior finish; hipped roof covered with raised-seam roofing; two chimneys within roof surface. • No significant exterior alterations.

NORTH JACKSON STREET – 100 BLOCK

123 N. Jackson Street / 17-1-B5 D-18 Contributing Photo #120 • unknown/The Pita Pit (current) • c. 1900 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/2-Part Commercial Block • Front façade divided into three sections by corbelled belt courses between levels 1 and 2 and between levels 2 and 3; recessed entrance into lower level; second door on the front elevation apparently provides access to upper floors; two 1-over-1 windows on lower level; seven 2nd level windows and seven 3rd level windows. • Relatively minor exterior alterations, confined to the storefront level.

142 N. Jackson Street / 17-1-B6 D-6 Contributing Photo #122 • unknown/J. R.’s Bait Shack (current) • c. 1920 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Asymmetrical façade with recessed, off-center double doors with 10-pane sidelights to either side; cornice separates first and second levels; 1-over-1 second level windows with cornice above; parapet. • Recessed entrance does not appear original, nor does 18-light fixed window on right side of lover level.

143-153 N. Jackson Street / 17-1-B5 D-19 Contributing Photo #123 • unknown/ Uncle Albert’s Vintage Threads (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Romanesque Revival/2-Part Commercial Block • Cast iron storefront; two double-door entrances and single door on right side providing access to upper levels; large display windows with transoms above (infilled); five round-arches window 33 openings; decorative terra cotta surrounding round arches just below entablature; 4-over-4 windows on second and third levels. • All but one transom covered with solid material (possibly plywood).

NORTH JACKSON STREET – 200 BLOCK

260-268 N. Jackson Street / 17-1-B6 C-6 Contributing Photos #124 & #125 • McGregor Company (1931 to 1970s)/Jackson Street Books, The Loft Art Supply (current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Symmetrical façade with central entrance providing access to the upper level; two storefronts, each with recessed entrance, large display windows and transoms with cornice above; second level windows are paired and have segmental-arched openings with stone sills; central single window on second level is flat-arched with a stone lintel; quoin-type brickwork at building corners; recessed panel above upper level windows with modest brick corbelling above. • No significant exterior alterations.

NORTH LUMPKIN STREET – 100 BLOCK

101 N. Lumpkin Street / 17-1-A5 D-9 Contributing Photo #126A • National Bank of Athens/SunTrust Bank (current) • 1959 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 1-Part Commercial Block • Temple-type entrance with Ionic columns and pilasters supporting pediment and recessed double doors; 9-over-9 windows with stone trim; stone string course. • No significant exterior alterations to front or south side elevations; major addition to the rear.

125-137 N. Lumpkin Street / 17-1-A5 D-10 Noncontributing Photo #126B • unknown/Little Italy (current) • c.1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • 1-Part Commercial Block • No contributing design elements • Storefront alterations include nonhistoric metal-framed doors and windows (both storefronts), nonhistoric flat awnings (both storefronts), low-pitched gabled parapet on 125 N. Lumpkin, vertical metal upper façade on 137 N. Lumpkin. 34

149-175 N. Lumpkin Street / 17-1-A5 D-11 Contributing Photo #127 • Petrie Building/Thai Café (current) • 1898 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Italianate influence/2-Part Commercial Block • Two storefronts separated by a recessed central door providing access to the upper level; five round-arched second level windows; stringcourse at second level forms the crowns of second level windows, which have stone sills; simple cornice and parapet. • Stucco facing over original brick may not be original; nonhistoric metal and wood framed display windows; nonhistoric metal-framed doors; painted plywood and signage over original transoms.

187 N. Lumpkin Street / 17-1-A5 D-12 Contributing Photo #128 • unknown/Emporium (current) • 1902 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Brick exterior; 2-over-2 upper level windows with decorative concrete and brick lintels and concrete sills; flat parapet; brick piers, each decorated with a concrete diamond, rise from each end of the parapet. • Storefront alterations include nonhistoric metal-framed doors and windows and corrugated metal covering the transom and also a narrow area to the left of the double-door entrance.

189 N. Lumpkin Street / 17-1-A5 D-13 Contributing Photos #129 & #130 • Empire Laundry/The Globe (current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Brick exterior; symmetrical front façade with central double Door entrance; large 1-over-1 windows in upper façade; stone string course and window hoods. • Original transom lights on front elevation covered.

NORTH LUMPKIN STREET – 200 BLOCK

215 N. Lumpkin Street / 17-1-A5 A-14 Contributing Photo #131 • The Elite Theater/The Georgia Theatre (current) • c. 1935 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. 35 • Art Deco-Moderne/2-Part Commercial Block • Stuccoed brick exterior; lower front facade consists of a ticket booth in the center of a recessed entrance with double doors to either side; large windows extend to the corners of the building on either side of the recessed entry; large marquee projecting forward from the front façade; upper façade is smooth stucco with simple geometric piers and 4-over-4 windows. • “Classic Triple” movie marquee remains on the left (south) elevation.

225 N. Lumpkin Street / 17-1-A5 A-15 Contributing Photo #132 • unknown/LSAT Building • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Brick exterior; asymmetrical storefront with single door entrance on the left side (access to upper level) separated from the main level doorway by a wide brick pier; three large display windows; large transom windows; four 1-over-1 windows on upper level; corbelling at cornice. • Display windows appear to be replacements but otherwise no significant exterior alterations.

240 N. Lumpkin Street / 17-1-B5 A-4B Noncontributing Photo #133 • unknown/Nowhere Bar (current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • none/not evident • No contributing design elements • Front façade has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence.

264-288 N. Lumpkin Street/ 17-1-B5 A-13 Contributing Photo #140 • Furniture store (early use)/ The Arch and condominiums (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Romanesque Revival/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Both street elevations distinguished by large round-arched window openings with stone lintels and sills; some round-arched windows have a border of smaller lights surrounding the upper portion of the window; brick string course between first and second levels; brick corbelling at cornice. • No significant exterior alterations.

36 OCONEE STREET

142 Oconee Street Contributing Photos #134 & 135 • “Hay & Grain Warehouse” (original use)Atlantic Company Ice Depot/Athens Plumbing & Well Supply, Inc. (current) • c. 1905/front portion added mid 1950s • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Brick warehouse-type structure with added front section. • Front (mid 1950s) portion of building has a metal-framed door and display windows on the first level and four groups of metal casement windows on the second level; side elevations of front portion have 1-over-1 windows; rear section has a metal loading door at the left (east) side of the front elevation. • Front portion of building added mid 1950s; otherwise no significant exterior alterations.

286 Oconee Street Contributing Photos #136 & 137 • Oconee Oil & Fertilizer Company/Hodgson Oil Company/multiple uses • c. 1900 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Industrial complex • Complex of brick buildings with features such as segmental-arched window and door openings, step parapets and decorative brickwork. • Full rehabilitation completed early 2000s; replacement of some original features such as doors and windows. (See tax credit application for full rehabilitation details.)

EAST WASHINGTON STREET – 100 BLOCK

104 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 A-13 Contributing Photos #139 & #140 • Furniture store (early use)/The Basil Press (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Romanesque Revival/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Both street elevations distinguished by large round-arched window openings with stone lintels and sills; some round-arched windows have a border of smaller lights surrounding the upper portion of the window; brick string course between first and second levels; brick corbelling at cornice. • No significant exterior alterations.

120 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 A-4A Contributing Photos #141 • Carriage repository (original use)/Sterling Britches (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic 37 integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 1-Part Commercial Block • Brick exterior with corbelling at the cornice. • This building has been significantly altered by the removal of the storefront (entrance and display windows) and installation of a metal grate over the entire area. Also, nonhistoric fluted pilasters and a simple entablature have been added. Nevertheless, the overall appearance retains sufficient historic integrity to contribute to the district.

130 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 A-5 Contributing Photo #142 • Warehouse (original use)/unknown • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 1-Part Commercial Block • Painted brick exterior; central recessed entrance with hollow core door (replacement) flanked by wide sidelights; paired display windows to either side of entrance; brick corbelling. • Original door replaced.

133 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B1 H-2 Contributing Photo #143 • Costa’s Ice Cream Plant (original use)/Voter Registration • c. 1920 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Yellow brick exterior; brick pilasters with distinctive stone trim on the parapet; windows in groups of three with large center window (1-over-1) flanked by two smaller windows (also 1-over-1); central entrance. • No significant exterior alterations.

140 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 A-6 Contributing Photo #144 • Warehouse (original use)/Copper Creek Restaurant (current) • c. 1915 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 1-Part Commercial Block • Large, plate glass display windows flanked by offset doors; transoms; slightly recessed signboard. • This building has been altered with the installation of a stone veneer over the original brick. Nevertheless, the overall appearance retains sufficient historic integrity to contribute to the district.

150 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 A-12 Contributing Photo #145 • Warehouse & office (original uses)/Garrett Law Offices (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource.

38 • 1-Part Commercial Block • Two large display windows with a slightly recessed double-door entrance on the right side; single door between the display windows provides secondary access; transom windows located above display windows and doors; large, slightly recessed signboard area with brick corbelling above. • The storefront has been altered somewhat in recent years as windows and doors may not be original. Nevertheless, the overall appearance retains sufficient historic integrity to contribute to the district.

155 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B1 H-2 Contributing Photo #148 • Athens Area Chamber of Commerce/A-CC Government • c. 1930 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Neoclassical Revival/ 2-Part Commercial Block • Yellow brick exterior; engaged Ionic columns; Doric pilasters; distinctive, large round-arched windows on main level; segmental-arched windows on lower/basement level. • No significant exterior alterations.

160 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 A-8 Noncontributing Photo #149 • Talmadge Brothers Groceries and Provisions/UGA Legal Aid Clinic (current) • c. 1880 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • No historic elements visible on front façade. • Front façade has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence.

EAST WASHINGTON STREET – 200 BLOCK

240 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 C-2 Noncontributing Photos #151 & #153 • unknown/Paine Insurance (current) • c. 1920 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/Enframed Window Wall • Low arch spanning the building’s front façade with small tiles in the void of the arch; shallow pedimented parapet. • Large corrugated metal panels installed above storefront, probably over transoms; metal-framed display windows and entrance not original; large sign protruding from transom level.

39 244 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 C-2A Noncontributing Photos #152 & #153 • Real Estate agency/Timmons, Warnes Law Offices (current) • c. 1920 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • 20th Century Commercial/Enframed Window Wall • Paired brick pilasters; low arch spanning the building’s front façade with small tiles in the void of the arch; shallow pedimented parapet. • Entire “enframed” front façade has been altered with stucco facing, residential-appearing 6-over-6 windows and a solid paneled door.

247 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B1 G-3A, 3C Contributing Photos #155 & #156 • The Georgian Hotel • 1909 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Neoclassical Revival/3-Part Vertical Block • Brick construction; facades divided into horizontal sections by stone belt courses between 1st and 2nd and 4th and 5th floors; large, round-arched window and door openings on the ground level; 2nd and 3rd level windows are segmental arched with alternating brick and stone; 4th level windows are round-arched, each with a keystone; 5th windows are rectangular and a heavy cornice with stone balustrade caps the building. • No significant exterior alterations.

260 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 Noncontributing Photo #157 • unknown/Boars Head Lounge • c. 1935 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district but has been altered to such an extent that it no longer retains historic integrity and therefore is a noncontributing resource. • No academic style/1-Part Commercial Block • No contributing design elements • Front façade has been completely altered such that there are no original or historic materials in evidence.

298 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B5 C-1 Contributing Photo #158 • unknown/unknown • c. 1895 • This building, known for a time as the “Pan American Building,” was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Stucco exterior (probably over original brick); elaborate, recessed front entrance with sidelights and a large, round-headed window above; 9-over-9 windows; parapet. • Stucco exterior is believed to have been applied over original brick. 40 EAST WASHINGTON STREET – 300 BLOCK

304 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B6 C-5 Contributing Photo #160 • Washington Hotel/Dixie Hotel/Cook, Noel, Tolley, Bates and Michael Attorneys (current) • c. 1910 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Scored stucco facing; sidelights flanking front door; rounded arch windows on second level with hood detail; 6-over-6 windows on third level; 9-over-9 second level windows on west side (Jackson Street) façade.

312 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B6 C-4 Contributing Photo #161 • City Garage (1918)/Athens Motors (1940s)/Wild Wing Cafe (current) • c. 1890 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Step parapet; heavy stone lintels and sills; two storefronts with large display windows and transoms; round-arched window at center of upper façade.

318 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B6 C-12 Contributing Photo #163 • unknown/Washington Street Tavern (current) • c. 1895 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • 2-Part Commercial Block • Distinctive pointed-arch windows on second level; three-part vent above upper level windows; narrow display windows with transoms above.

325 E. Washington Street / 17-1-B1 F-1 Contributing Photo #162 • Clarke County Courthouse • 1913 • This building was constructed within the period of significance for the district and retains historic integrity and therefore is a contributing resource. • Neoclassical Revival • Front elevation dominated by six three-story Ionic columns that support a recessed entrance and are covered with a tile that matches the brick. The building’s center section is only three stories in height with a balustrade above while flanking portions stand four stories tall. A heavy entablature and cornice separate the third and fourth floors. A parking deck was constructed directly east of the courthouse in the 1980s and a large courthouse annex was added to the rear of the original structure in the early 1990s; neither is within the local district boundaries.

41 Confederate Monument Contributing Photo #35 • Sculpted by Markwater of Augusta with inscriptions composed by University of Georgia Chancellor Andrew Lipscomb, the Monument was completed in 1872. • Originally located at the intersection of College Avenue and Washington Street, the Monument was determined to be a traffic hazard and moved c. 1900 to a median in front of City Hall and later to its present location on East Broad Street.

Elijah Clarke Monument Contributing Photo #36 • Erected by the local Elijah Clarke chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and located in the middle of Broad Street across from the University of Georgia arch. The monument honors the Revolutionary War hero after whom Clarke County was named.

Double-Barrel Cannon Contributing Photo #109 • Cast at the Athens Foundry and Machine Works in 1862 and intended for use by Confederate forces, the double-barrel cannon did not function as designed and was never used in battle. • Placed next to the Confederate Monument on College Avenue in 1891, the Cannon was moved to the City Hall grounds when the Confederate Monument was moved to West Broad Street.

42 7. Statement of Significance

Certifying official has considered the significance of this property in relation to other properties:

( ) nationally (X) statewide ( ) locally

Applicable National Register Criteria:

(X) A (X) B (X) C ( ) D

Criteria Considerations (Exceptions): (X) N/A

( ) A ( ) B ( ) C ( ) D ( ) E ( ) F ( ) G

Areas of Significance (enter categories from instructions):

ARCHITECTURE COMMERCE COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT POLITICS/GOVERNMENT ETHNIC HERITAGE – BLACK

Period of Significance: c.1801-1960

Significant Dates:

1785: University of Georgia (Franklin College) chartered 1801: Site of the University of Georgia determined 1801: Clarke County created from Jackson County 1806: Athens incorporated 1834: Organizational meeting of the Georgia Railroad and Banking Company held in Athens 1841: Georgia Railroad reaches Athens 1847: Town hall and market house constructed in the middle of Market Street (now Washington St.) 1853: Athens Foundry established 1871: Athens designated county seat of Clarke County 1887: Street paving initiated downtown 1904: Athens City Hall completed 1908: Southern Mutual Insurance Building (Athens’ first “skyscraper”) completed 1914: Clarke County Courthouse completed 1942: U.S. Post Office and Courthouse completed 1960: Athens First Bank & Trust Building completed

43

Significant Person(s):

Bloomfield, Robert L. – builder and entrepreneur who was largely responsible for the downtown block bounded by Broad, Clayton, College & Jackson. Chase, Albon – publisher of the Southern Banner (which eventually became the Athens Banner- Herald, still in publication) beginning in 1832. Easley, Daniel – a prominent area land owner who acquired the property that became Athens from William Few and sold 633 acres of it to John Milledge, whereupon Franklin College (the University of Georgia) was established and developed. Milledge, John – became Governor of Georgia after being a founder of the University of Georgia; it was Milledge who purchased 633 acres from Daniel Easley and gave it to the trustees of the University of Georgia; both the college and the town were established on this land. Morton, Monroe Bowers “Pink” – a black entrepreneur, builder, publisher and owner of the Morton Building within the boundaries of the local historic district as well as the Morton Theatre Building outside the district on West Washington Street.

Cultural Affiliation: N/A

Architect(s)/Builder(s):

Brown, A. Ten Eyck (Clarke County Courthouse, Georgian Hotel) Crane, Ross (First Presbyterian Church) Goodrich, Lewis Ford (Athens City Hall) Little-Cleckler Construction (Clarke County Courthouse) Morton, Monroe Bowers “Pink” (Morton Building) Reid, Neel (Michael Brothers Department Store Building)

44 Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Planning Department Historic Preservation Commission

Local Historic Property Designation Report Continuation Sheet

Section 8--Statement of Significance

Narrative statement of significance (areas of significance)

The Athens Downtown Local Historic District comprises the historic commercial, governmental, and institutional development in Athens’ downtown area. The district is significant under National Register Criteria A, B and C in the areas of architecture, commerce, community planning and development, politics/government, ethnic heritage – black.

In the area of architecture, the district is significant for its large and substantially intact collection of commercial, institutional and governmental buildings constructed from the 1830s to 1960. These structures represent the wide range of buildings constructed and utilized by residents of Athens during the city’s early history and through the historic period. They also represent many of the key architectural styles and building types that have been historically constructed in southern cities such as Athens.

The historic commercial area consists of blocks of attached commercial buildings as well as several free-standing commercial, governmental, and institutional buildings. The attached commercial buildings are typical of historic downtown commercial buildings with first-floor commercial storefronts and upper floors with rows of windows. They generally range in height from one to three stories with only a few buildings in the local historic district standing in the range of five to nine stories in height. Stylistic influences include Federal, Greek Revival, Romanesque Revival, Second Empire, Renaissance Revival, Gothic, Beaux Arts, 20th Century Commercial, and International. The existing historic buildings were constructed from the mid 1800s to the mid-20th century and represent the types and styles of commercial buildings that were constructed in Georgia cities during this period.

In the area of commerce, the district is significant for its role in the commercial development of Athens since the early 19th century. It was the central business district that served the commercial needs of Athens and the surrounding region. This significance is represented by the large collection of remaining historic commercial buildings that line most blocks of the district. These buildings historically contained mostly retail stores on the ground floors and professional offices on the floors above. Banking has played an important role in establishing Athens as a commercial center for the region, and the National Bank of Athens was founded in 1866 in a building still standing at 297 East Broad Street. Several hotels operated in the downtown area during the town’s early decades, and the c.1845 Franklin House still stands at 480 East Broad Street.

In the area of community planning and development, the district is significant for the development of downtown Athens from the selection of the site for the University of Georgia in 1801 (at which time the location was named Athens) to the middle of the 20th century. The historic district represents Athens’ early growth during the early years of the University of Georgia, located just across Broad Street from the commercial area. Various businesses were built along Broad Street and the business district grew at first largely in response to growth of the university. Athens gradually became an

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important market town and a number of cotton mills and warehouses were constructed in the area. In 1872 Athens became the governmental seat of Clarke County, further increasing the town’s importance and providing an impetus to growth in the post-bellum era.

In the area of politics/government, the district is significant for serving as the governmental center of Athens since the city’s incorporation in 1806 and for serving as the seat of Clarke County government since 1872. The historic role of city and county government is represented by existing historic governmental buildings. These include the old Federal Building (which originally housed the U.S. Post Office and was completed in 1906) at 300 College Avenue, the 1903 City Hall building at 301 College Avenue, the 1913 Clarke County Courthouse at 325 East Washington Street, and the 1942 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse at 115 East Hancock Avenue.

In the area of ethnic heritage – black, the district is significant for its association with local black entrepreneur Monroe Bowers “Pink” Morton, who during the early decades of the 20th century played a key role in advancing commercial opportunities for Athens’ African-American residents. Morton built the Morton Building at 144/146 East Clayton Street in the local district as well as the nationally-known Morton Theatre Building west of the district on West Washington Street. The office of Morton’s construction company was located in the Morton Building on East Clayton Street.

National Register Criteria

The Athens Downtown Local Historic District is eligible for local designation under National Register Criterion A for its development as the commercial, governmental, institutional and cultural center of Athens. The district is eligible for local designation under Criterion B for its association with many individuals important in the history of Athens. The district is eligible under Criterion C for its large and substantially intact collection of historic commercial, governmental, and institutional buildings constructed from the 1830s to 1960.

Criteria Considerations (if applicable)

N/A

Period of significance (justification)

The period of significance for the Athens Downtown Local Historic District begins with the selection of the site of the University of Georgia and naming of the place Athens in 1801. The period of significance ends in 1960, just before urban renewal began in portions of the downtown area.

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Contributing/Noncontributing Resources (explanation, if necessary)

Contributing: A building, site, structure, work of art, or object that adds to the aesthetic qualities or historic values for which a district is significant because it possesses historic integrity reflecting the district’s character or it independently meets the designation criteria. The property should meet an age criteria of fifty years unless the property has exceptional significance.

Noncontributing: A building, site, structure, work of art or object that does not add to the aesthetic qualities and/or historic values for which a district is significant because it does not possess historic integrity reflecting the district’s character and it does not independently meet the designation criteria.

Developmental history/historic context (if appropriate)

Background to Settlement

Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, occupies land that was in the possession of the native Americans until treaties were negotiated between the State of Georgia and the Cherokee and Creek nations on May 1, 1783 and November 1, 1783, respectively. These treaties conveyed to the state all of the so- called “Oconee lands” north as far as the Apalachee River. On February 25 of the following year the state legislature opened the newly-acquired lands to settlement by establishing two counties, Franklin and Washington. Within each new county 20,000 acres of land was set aside as an endowment for a state-controlled university of higher learning. On January 27, 1785 the legislature passed an act that chartered the University of Georgia, the first state-supported university to be chartered in America. (1)

Selected as the institution’s first president was Abraham Baldwin, a native of Connecticut and a graduate of Yale. Baldwin had arrived in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1783 and was elected to serve in the General Assembly the following year, and it was he who drafted the university charter. Baldwin’s political career was extraordinary, as it included membership in the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention -- he was one of Georgia’s signers of the Constitution – and service in the United States House and Senate.

Despite the fact that the University of Georgia was chartered in 1785, it remained uncertain for the ensuing sixteen years just where the institution would be located. Nevertheless, the establishment of a university even on paper was enough to spur on an existing interest in settling the newly-opened lands in Franklin and Washington counties. Settlers began arriving in greater numbers, acquiring property and constructing minimal log dwellings as well as clearing and beginning to work the land. Until 1803 the State of Georgia distributed property by means of the headright system, whereby the head of a family was allowed to acquire a maximum of 1,000 acres. While the headright system was

1 Ellis Merson Coulter, “The Birth of a University, a Town and a County,” in Georgia Historical Quarterly 46 (March 1962), p. 114.

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operated by county officials, many war veterans were given land grants by the State of Georgia. In October of 1785, Revolutionary War veteran William Few, a native of Baltimore County, Maryland, was awarded 1,120 acres from Governor Samuel Elbert. Few held onto his land, located on the west side of the North Oconee River, until 1799, when his health began failing and he left Georgia for New York. A 693-acre tract of Few’s property was purchased the following year by Daniel William Easley, a Virginian who had become a prominent land owner earlier in the decade.

By the time Daniel Easley acquired a portion of Few’s land, Jackson County had been created from Franklin County, an event that took place on February 11, 1796. Easley was one of five men initially charged with finding a suitable location for the governmental seat of Jackson County. (The site selected, located roughly half-way between Athens and Jefferson, was first known as Clarkes Borough and later became Clarksboro. When Clarke County was created from Jackson County lands on December 5, 1801, it was determined by Jackson County officials that a more centrally-located county seat was needed, so Clarksboro lost that function to Jefferson.)

The delay in siting and opening the University of Georgia was due in large part to a lack of sufficient financial resources. By the fall of 1797, however, approximately $6,000 had been raised through the sale of portions of the 40,000 acres set aside in 1784 and the Trustees of the University reported a total fund of $7,463.75, “sufficiently respectable to commence the building of the University.” (2) Discussions about a permanent location for the institution first centered on Louisville (the state capital from 1796 to 1807) and later Greensboro (in what was then Washington County and now the governmental seat of Greene County). On June 17, 1800, a committee known as the Senatus Academicus first met to begin deliberations on a proper site. By the following summer a determination had been made that the university would be located in Jackson County, and a five-man delegation was sent from Louisville to the vicinity of the North Oconee River in search of a proper site. The group was composed of Baldwin, future Georgia governor John Milledge, former governor and signer of the Declaration of Independence George Walton, Georgia militia general John Twiggs, and Hugh Lawson.

The selection committee inspected many prospective sites, but in July of 1801 it was determined that the University of Georgia should be built on the western side of the Oconee River in the vicinity of a place known as the Cedar Shoals. This was the property owned by Daniel Easley, and in the view of the committee it boasted several advantages. For one, the area was becoming settled and farmers in the region were already producing beef, mutton and pork and shipping these meats to Augusta. Also being raised were corn, cotton, and potatoes, and the selection committee observed apple and peach orchards on the hillside that rose up from the river. Several springs in the area provided fresh water, and the North Oconee offered an abundance of fish and was determined to hold some potential as a means of transportation. Moreover, the location was found to be aesthetically pleasing, for as newly- elected University of Georgia President Josiah Meigs commented when he first arrived, “If there is a

2 Coulter, p. 145.

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healthy and beautiful spot in Georgia this is one.” (3) The committee purchased 633 acres for $4,000, leaving Easley with 60 acres of the original William Few tract, and then named the site “Athens,” after the classical Greek city.

Antebellum Period

Soon after it made the 633-acre purchase from Daniel Easley, the five-member selection committee designated 36.5 acres to serve as the University of Georgia “square” or campus. Some of this land was cleared and work on construction of the first building, to be known as Franklin College (and later changed to Old College when other buildings were constructed), was begun by Jett Thomas and David Gaddy. The Georgia General Assembly gave the University authorization to lay out lots for sale or lease in 1803. Lots were initially drawn along the north side of the campus and subsequently sold to finance construction of Franklin College.

Athens’ growth during the first decades of the 19th century was closely tied to advances made by the University and likewise to periods of difficulty faced by the institution. The town was incorporated in 1806, with Hope Hull, William Malone and Stevens Thomas selected to serve as the town’s first commissioners. By this time approximately ten houses and four business establishments had been built. Some 17 families resided in Athens by 1806 and the University (still known as Franklin College) had attracted 70 students. The town’s wooden houses and businesses were located in close proximity to one another, in an area bounded by streets that would be named Front (later changed to Broad Street), Hancock, Hull and Foundry. Naturally a street (which would be named Clayton) was placed between the two parallel rows of lots. The first plan of Athens, dated May 31, 1805 and included in the minutes of the University of Georgia trustees, was actually drawn in 1804 and includes locations of the first town lots.

In 1807 Athens’ first newspaper, a religious journal, was started by Reverend John Hodge. Within a year Hodge fell into ill health and sold the enterprise to Alexander McDonnell, who teamed with Elias Harris and changed the publication, known as the Georgia Express, to a weekly newspaper. In 1809 McDonnell and Harris renamed their paper the Foreign Correspondent and Georgia Express and expanded its news coverage to include foreign events, although the paper reverted to its original name within a few years. In 1814 McDonnell and Hodge entered into a partnership and began publication of the Athens Gazette. The publication ran into financial difficulties and was not of a consistently high quality. In 1827, however, O. P. Shaw initiated the Athenian, which became known as one of Georgia’s best literary papers. Acquired in 1832 by Albon Chase and A. M. Nisbet, the weekly began being published as the Southern Banner and eventually became the Banner-Herald. A rival paper, the Southern Whig, was started in 1835, and a number of other newspapers and journals have been published in Athens in the years since. (4)

3 Coulter, p. 124. 4 Ernest Hynds, Antebellum Athens and Clarke County, Georgia (Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 1974): pp. 90-95.

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During much of the century’s second decade, Franklin College experienced difficulties that originated just prior to 1810 when conflict arose between President Meigs and the Trustees. Meigs wanted to include the study of science in the institution’s curriculum but the Trustees were opposed. Franklin College’s finances were also in poor order at this time, and enrollment fell sharply to a low point of only seven students. This development had an impact on the young town, and growth was noticeably curtailed. Shortly after Moses Waddel was appointed President in 1819, however, the situation began to change for the better, for both college and town. Waddel’s presidency saw enrollment at Franklin College climb to over 100 students as the school consistently attracted well-qualified young men from across the state. Alonzo Church succeeded Waddel in 1829 and continued most of the policies that he found already in place. Over time a number of University faculty came into conflict with the conservative Church, a strict disciplinarian. For the most part, townspeople appreciated Church’s efforts and took his side in times of conflict with the faculty, and they certainly benefited from the University’s continued positive influence on the town. (5)

Athens grew in population and the number of business establishments during the 1820s. The town’s first churches were built during this decade, and in 1829 the first cotton mill to operate in Clarke County, the Georgia Factory, was established (with the temporary name Athens Manufacturing Company) on the North Oconee River five miles south of town. In 1833 James Camak and ten other local entrepreneurs founded the Camak Manufacturing Company on the Middle Oconee River between Athens and Watkinsville. The plant was renamed Princeton Factory in 1834. Also in 1834, three original investors in the Athens Factory opened the Athens Cotton and Wool Factory (shortened to Athens Factory) not far southeast of the growing town.

During these early years, travel of any distance was quite difficult. Because the seat of Clarke County government was in Watkinsville seven miles to the south, many Athens residents could not avoid making the trip from time to time. In fact, all voting in Clarke County took place in Watkinsville until 1831. (6) Stage coaches traveled between Athens and Watkinsville (and on to Milledgeville, the state capital) three times a week by the mid-1830s, but few people from outside Clarke County had reason to travel to Watkinsville; Athens’ distinction of being home to the University of Georgia as well as thriving business and industrial enterprises attracted many outsiders from both near and far.

By the 1830s Athenians were well convinced that transportation improvements would be needed for the city to advance as a commercial and industrial center. In good weather it took a full week for freight to reach Athens from Augusta; wet conditions could result in nearly impassible roads and lengthy delays. It seemed to many in the community that railroads might provide the best solution.

5 James Reap, Athens: A Pictorial History (Norfolk, Virginia: The Donning Company, Publishers, 1985): p. 36. 6 Frances Taliaferro Thomas, A Portrait of Historic Athens and Clarke County (Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 1992): p. 33.

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James Camak’s residence just northwest of Athens’ growing commercial area was completed in early 1834, and on March 10th of that year it was the site of an organizational meeting of the newly-formed Georgia Railroad Company. Camak was elected president of the organization and fellow Athenians John A. Cobb, Alex B. Linton, W. M. Morton, Elizur L. Newton, and William Williams were named to the board of directors. Serving as presidents of the organization during the antebellum years were Camak, William Dearing, John P. King, and Charles H. Phinizy. Progress on all aspects of the venture was made quickly, especially considering that this would be only the third railroad constructed in the United States. The Athens branch of the line was completed from Union Point to Carr’s Hill, on the east side of the Oconee River, in 1841.

Although initially planned to run between Athens and Augusta, the first Georgia Railroad line was constructed between Greensboro and Augusta and it was not until 1841 that a branch was extended from the main line at Union Point northwest to Athens. The original cars were mule-drawn, but steam engines were soon put into operations. The local Georgia Railroad terminus was established on the eastern side of the river, certainly not ideal for travelers nor for local businesses and industries, all of whom had to rely on hack drivers and freight haulers, or their own two feet, to move themselves as well as goods across the Oconee Street bridge. It was not until the early 1880s that the Georgia Railroad constructed a bridge over the river and built its terminal in the industrial portion of downtown Athens, just east of the central business district.

Athens’ first fire company was established in 1839, partly in response to the loss by fire of New College on the University of Georgia campus in 1830. Even though many residents of the town responded to that fire with demands of fire protection, nine years went by before anything was done. But on December 29, 1839 the Athens Independent Fire Company was chartered with twenty-six men listed as initial members. But the effectiveness of fire fighting was rather minimal at this early stage, given that there was no available water supply much less a fire engine. It was not until 1857 that cisterns were installed on Broad Street and College Avenue and a reservoir constructed on Dougherty Hill to solve the water problem for the purposes of fire protection. A destructive fire in September of 1857 resulted in further action, as city officials appointed engineers to supervise fire protection efforts and purchased a small fire engine. In November of 1858 the first annual report made by the fire engineers indicated that fire protection was indeed reducing damage caused by fire and that the downtown area was well supplied with water. (7)

By 1840, Clarke County ranked second in Georgia (behind only Chatham County) in the level of financial investment in manufacturing. This was due to the location of three cotton plants in the county, all outside the town of Athens. The number of businesses in Athens reflected the growing prosperity of the area; in 1840 Clarke County had a total of 45 commercial establishments and most were located in Athens. Several hotels were in operation in the town at this time, with the Planter’s Hotel (located on East Broad Street at the northwest corner of its intersection with College Avenue) considered the finest in the late 1830s and 1840s.

7 Hynds: pp. 44-45.

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Even as hotel accommodations and other aspects of the downtown area were improving, the upkeep of streets and sidewalks continued to be a great difficulty. In times of poor weather Athens’ dirt streets, stone and wood sidewalks, and wooden bridges became unpleasant and even dangerous to negotiate. Most efforts to keep people from damaging or soiling streets and sidewalks met with little success, but in 1849 the town council ordered all men between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one to do road duty and this measure was somewhat more successful. No official street names had been assigned to Athens’ streets until 1859, when a committee was formed to prepare a report on naming local streets. The committee’s report, adopted in April of that year, indicated names for 46 streets. Among those named downtown at this time were Broad Street, Clayton Street, College Avenue, Hancock Avenue, and Market Street (later changed to Washington Street).

The decade of the 1840s saw downtown Athens become firmly established in its position as the commercial and industrial center of northeast Georgia. The town had a population of approximately 2,500 residents in 1840 and increased to approximately 3,000 by 1850 and then 4,000 by 1860. Growth – industrial and commercial as well as residential – caused Athens’ legal boundaries to be extended twice within two years. In 1840 the town limits were extended “across the Oconee River on the eastern side thereof, to the distance of one mile from the College Chapel.” (8) Two years later Athens’ corporate limits were adjusted again, this time to extend two full miles in all directions from the Chapel. The University of Georgia Chapel was mentioned in the legislative acts changing town limits because it functioned as something of a town hall until 1847, when a building was constructed in the center of Market Street (now Washington Street) between Lumpkin and Hull Streets (facing Lumpkin) and dedicated for use as a Town Hall. But in addition to housing a hall for town meetings on the second floor, the building’s lower level contained space for the local calaboose (jail) as well as a market, and the town hall bell was rung whenever an animal was butchered and prepared for sale. The building was also utilized for theatrical performances, political debates and various other functions.

The Franklin House, Athens’ oldest remaining commercial structure, was also completed in 1847 and was one of a half dozen local hotels in operation by the 1850s. The building was constructed for William L. Mitchell, a member of the University of Georgia Board of Trustees, who had purchased three corner lots at Broad and Thomas during an 1843 University auction. The hotel itself was located in the upper two stories and did not open until June of 1847. But the ground level housed several commercial spaces that were first occupied in 1845 and 1846. Mitchell had also acquired property on the east side of Thomas Street, and there he constructed a frame hotel building that was linked to the Franklin House by means of a bridge over the street. Other hotels in operation during some or all of the 1850s included the Athens, Central, Eagle, Hancock, Kerlin’s, Lanier, Lumpkin, and Planter’s hotels.

8 Georgia Lawa – 1840, pp. 99 & 100.

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In 1848 stockholders of the Southern Mutual Insurance Company moved the home office from Griffin (where the company had been founded a year earlier) to Athens. Since that time Southern Mutual has remained an important component of the downtown area. The company moved into a new building at the northeast corner of College Avenue and Clayton Street in 1876 and then constructed a new seven-story building – Athens’ first “skyscraper” – on the same lot in 1908.

Among the downtown improvements made during the 1850s was the introduction of gas lighting to the town. The Athens Gas Light Company was incorporated in March of 1856 and very slowly thereafter some individuals began installing the newly-available lights. The city contracted with Athens Gas Light Company in the fall of 1859 for installation of gas lighting downtown, beginning with eight lamps on College Avenue and Broad Street. By the following spring much of the downtown area was illuminated by gas.

Several churches had been constructed on the University of Georgia campus and in downtown Athens beginning in the 1820s. In 1852 the Methodists constructed a new brick church building (which still stands) on Lumpkin Street, utilizing the same site as the congregation’s first church. Local Presbyterians built a new church (also still extant) along Hancock Street in 1856, to replace the congregation’s original church on the University campus where the Academic Building now stands. The Presbyterian Manse, constructed in the 1830s, still stands on Hull Street (outside the local district). A new Athens Baptist Church was completed in 1860 on Market Street at the southeast corner of its intersection with College Avenue, replacing a small frame structure that had stood on the University campus near the intersection of Broad and Lumpkin streets. The second Baptist Church was replaced in 1898 by a building that stood until 1921, when the present First Baptist Church building was constructed on Pulaski Street at the northwest corner of its intersection with Hancock Avenue (also outside the local district).

By 1860 downtown Athens had become a busy commercial and industrial center. Approximately 50 businesses were in operation downtown and many of Clarke County’s 36 manufacturing plants operating in 1860 were in or near downtown Athens. An important industrial development from the 1850s was the establishment of the Athens Foundry on the east side of Foundry Street in 1851. Other industries were being developed at the time in this part of the downtown area, as well as closer to the river. Athens had become northeast Georgia’s center for railroad shipments during the 1850s as well. Farmers from throughout the region came to Athens with wagon loads of goods for shipment by rail to Augusta and elsewhere.

Civil War and Late 19th Century

During the Civil War much about life in Athens was disrupted, but the downtown area was fortunate to escape physical destruction. The University closed in September of 1863 (not reopening until January of 1866) and most students went off to war, but in their place many refugees from active theaters of

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war arrived in the town. Some rented living space while others purchased residences, so Athens’ population was likely not greatly changed during the war years. Athens’ industrial area proved important to the war effort, as factories and foundries produced cotton goods and arms for the Confederate government as well as for private citizens.

In early May of 1865, several weeks after Lee’s surrender to Grant, Federal troops from the Thirteenth Tennessee Regiment began arriving in Athens. There were incidents of robbing and pillaging, but it did not last long because a second Federal unit soon arrived and returned order to the town. One of the most dramatic events of the period of Federal occupation took place on November 18, 1865, when the Town Hall in the middle of Washington Street caught fire. Members of the Thirteenth Connecticut Volunteers were quick to save the building and were given cash awards by the town council as an expression of gratitude. The military occupation of Athens ended early in 1866 and efforts began to return life to something of the way it had been six years earlier.

Downtown Athens was quick to make an economic revival. Many businesses that had closed temporarily were able to reopen within the first year and were joined by a number of new establishments. The University resumed classes in January of 1866, and with Confederate veterans able to attend with free tuition, board, books, and even clothing provided by the state, enrollment at the institution rose considerably. These developments helped provide a needed boost to downtown Athens and the local economy.

One sign of the town’s return to normalcy occurred in 1870 when the first true theatrical facility in downtown Athens was constructed at the northwest corner of Broad and Thomas streets. The building was named Deupree Hall after the man responsible for its construction, Colonel Lewis J. Deupree of nearby Lexington, Georgia. Deupree had the theater remodeled into an opera house in 1873. (9) The building is depicted as “Deupree’s Opera House” on the 1885 Sanborn Map, which notes that the structure’s first floor housed a grocery store and another business while the third floor served as a Masonic Hall. Although the Opera House building survived into the early 20th century it ceased to function as a performance hall after the Athens Opera House was built in 1888 on the south side of Market (Washington) Street between College and Jackson Streets. In fact, the 1888 Sanborn Map indicates that the Deupree Building housed a general merchandise store on the first floor, offices on the second and a hall on the third. By 1926 a different building apparently occupied the lot, as the Sanborn Map from that year shows a two-story building standing on the northwest corner of Broad and Thomas, housing a drug store and feed warehouse.

On May 5, 1871, the cornerstone was laid in the center of College Avenue and Washington Street for Athens’ Confederate monument. Thirteen months later, on June 3, 1872, the monument was formally dedicated. A total of $4,444.44 in construction costs was raised over a five year period, beginning in 1886, by the Ladies Memorial Association. The monument remained in its original location until the

9 Ethel Tison Chaffin, “A Musical Theatre in Athens, Georgia: 1865-1888,” Athens Historian, Volume 4, Number 1 (October 1999): p. 37.

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turn-of-the-century, when it was determined to be a traffic hazard and was moved to a median in front of City Hall. The monument was later moved to its present location in the center of Broad Street between College Avenue and Lumpkin Street.

As the 1870s opened Athens’ population stood at 4,251, a modest increase from a decade earlier. But the 1870s saw several important developments that improved the fortunes of downtown Athens and consequently the town as a whole. The result was that Athens’ population increased by a substantial 43% to stand at 6,099 in 1880. Growth continued at virtually the same rate through the 1800s, with the 1890 population standing at 8,639. In 1870 William P. Dearing organized the Athens Street Railway Company, and it soon began carrying not passengers but freight from the Georgia Railroad depot on the east side of the Oconee River to downtown merchants.

On November 24, 1871, Watkinsville lost it position as the seat of Clarke County, with all county offices and county business moved to Athens. For years there had been agitation by local Athens citizens for just such a move, and, when it finally happened, Athenians agreed to work for passage of a bill to create a new county with Watkinsville as governmental seat. More than three years later, on February 12, 1875, Oconee County was established from approximately the southwestern half of Clarke County. Although the new Oconee County was similar in area to Clarke County it had only half as many people, since Athens accounted for the great majority of the area’s population.

The first building to serve as the Clarke County courthouse in Athens was the Old Town Hall situated in the center of Market (now Washington) Street between Lumpkin and Hull. Several years of debate ensued over the best location for a courthouse, and in 1875 a three building complex (courthouse, jail, and jailer’s house) was constructed in what was then a residential area on the south side of Prince Avenue, several blocks west of the downtown area. The three structures were designed by University of Georgia professor L. H. Charbonnier. Only the jail building remains today.

In 1872 Athens switched from an intendant and warden system of government to the mayor and alderman form, still in use to this day. The act amending the town’s charter stated that “the municipal government of the city of Athens shall consist of a mayor and eight aldermen, who are hereby constituted a body corporate, under the name and style of ‘The Mayor and Council of the City of Athens.’” (10)

The decade of the 1880s brought further improvements to the infrastructure of downtown Athens. A city police force was established in 1881 and the first telephone lines were installed in 1882. Street paving began modestly in 1885, and in 1887 the General Assembly passed an act authorizing the mayor and council to “grade, pave, macadamize and otherwise improve certain streets” and to “assess and collect two-thirds of the costs of said improvements out of the real estate fronting on said streets.” (11) A second street railway company was organized and began operating in Athens in

10 Georgia Laws – 1872, pp. 125 & 126. 11 Georgia Laws – 1887, pp. 629 & 630.

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1885. Initially the street cars were pulled through the downtown area – including along Broad Street and up College Avenue – by small mules, but the line was electrified in the 1890s.

In 1885 the first Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for Athens were produced by the Sanborn Map Company of New York. These maps provide information essential to an understanding of the physical growth of Athens from 1885 through the mid 20th century, as they depict building footprints as well as names of certain businesses and institutions and other details about the area of coverage. The 1885 Sanborn maps indicate that commercial establishments were concentrated along Broad and Clayton streets between Lumpkin and Foundry. Other than a single tier of businesses along the south side of Broad Street between Jackson and Foundry streets, the area south of Broad was occupied by the University of Georgia (west of Jackson) as well as by several cotton warehouses and dwellings. The Athens Foundry was located on the east side of Foundry Street, opposite Market (now Washington) Street. Areas to the north of Market and west of Lumpkin remained almost entirely residential in 1885. Furthermore, every block in downtown Athens with the exception of that bounded by Clayton, Broad, Jackson, and College, contained at least one dwelling in 1885, indicating that commercial, warehouse and residential uses were intermingled at this time. The block bounded by Market, Clayton, Thomas, and Jackson contained the Moss and Thomas cotton warehouse, a livery stable, two general stores, one vacant storefront, Chemical Engine hook & ladder company (volunteer fire department, one of several serving Athens at the time) and five residences. The block immediately east, bounded by Market, Clayton, Foundry, and Thomas, was entirely residential in 1885, and yet the Athens Foundry was just across Foundry Street.

A public school system was established in Athens after approval by a majority vote in 1885, and four years later the Market Street School was constructed downtown. Renamed the Washington Street School when the street name was changed, the building was a large, two-story brick structure that initially houses both grammar and high school students through grade nine; tenth grade students began attending in 1906. Washington Street School occupied the northwest corner of the intersection of Washington and Jackson streets until it was replaced by the Georgian Hotel in 1909.

Directly opposite Market (Washington) Street from the school stood the three-story New Opera House that opened for its first production in January of 1888. The building served for nearly forty-five years as Athens’ center for live entertainment (rivaled in the early 20th century only by the Morton Theatre, the community’s home of black vaudeville as well as jazz and other forms of entertainment). The New Opera House was rehabilitated in 1906 and renamed the Colonial Theatre, and over the years it hosted musical performances of all varieties, religious and political speakers, social events, conferences, and conventions. Movies proved to be especially popular at the Colonial, but in the 1920s three other movie theatres opened downtown just as the Colonial began to experience ceiling deterioration and other problems. It was condemned and demolished in 1932.

The decade of the 1890s was one of considerable growth and change for downtown Athens. The local economy was strengthened by residential growth in sizeable areas west and southwest of the

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commercial district and a number of new businesses were established downtown. The opening of a State Normal School on Prince Avenue at what was then the western extreme of town was also an important development for the entire community, and the institution complimented the University of Georgia quite well. Nevertheless, downtown Athens remained rather compact, with Lumpkin Street still the western extreme of commercial development. Residences also predominated north of Washington Street, so in actuality the end of the 19th century saw the commercial district still effectively bounded by Washington, Broad, Foundry, and Lumpkin.

Early 20th Century through 1960

As the 20th century opened, Athens was a prosperous community of just over 10,000 residents and had developed into the commercial and industrial center of northeast Georgia. Growth continued during the first two decades of the new century and saw commercial expansion into areas that had been entirely residential throughout the 1800s.

One of the first commercial enterprises in the area west of Lumpkin Street was the Athens Coca-Cola Bottling Company, established around the turn of the century at the northeast corner of the intersection of West Hancock Avenue and Hull Street. A few other businesses were in operation on Hull Street as well as nearby along West Hancock and Washington Street. Early in the 20th century a small black business district began developing at the intersection of Washington and Hull streets, an area still predominantly residential at the time and destined to remain so for several more decades. “Hot Corner” was the name by which the lively intersection became known, and in 1910 it was distinguished by construction of the four-story Morton Theatre Building which housed businesses on the ground level with professional offices and the Morton Theatre above. The building was constructed by local black entrepreneur Monroe Bowers “Pink” Morton and was soon frequented by black vaudeville acts as well as prominent jazz performers such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Blind Willie McTell and Bessie Smith. The building was converted for use as a movie theater in the 1930s and closed in the mid-1950s after suffering relatively minor fire damage. Successfully restored in the early 1990s, the Morton Theatre re-opened in 1994 and is again a favored performance location in downtown Athens.

Although Hot Corner and the Morton Theatre are located outside the boundaries of the Downtown Athens Local Historic District, another building constructed by Pink Morton and of significance in black history is the Morton Building at 144/146 East Clayton Street. Completed in 1907, the Morton Building initially housed several African-American businesses and Mr. Morton’s office as builder, contractor, and owner/publisher of the Progressive Era, the first black-owned newspaper in Athens. The two-story stone faced building was faithfully restored in the late 1980s.

The first thirteen years of the 20th century also saw construction of six buildings that are downtown landmarks today. A new City Hall was completed on the west side of College Avenue in 1904, followed in 1906 by the Federal Building (which originally housed the post office and Federal

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courthouse and is now First American Bank and Trust) directly across College Avenue. In 1908 the seven-story Southern Mutual Building was constructed as Athens’ tallest commercial building, and just a year later the Georgian Hotel was built on Washington Street at the northwest corner of Washington and Jackson. Finally, in 1913 work was begun on two significant structures: a new Clarke County Courthouse further east on Washington Street and the nine-story Holman Building at the southeast corner of the intersection of Clayton and Lumpkin streets. Thus, within a period of ten years these six buildings greatly changed the appearance of downtown Athens and speak to the prosperity the town enjoyed during the period.

While the First World War certainly changed the lives of many in the community, downtown Athens did not suffer any severe consequences of the war. A number of downtown establishments failed during the early 1920s as a result of the agricultural disaster brought about in Georgia by the boll weevil, but still the overall climate of Athens’ commercial center was a healthy one. In fact, three movie theaters—the Palace Theatre, Strand Theatre, and Georgia Theatre—were constructed in downtown Athens during the 1920s, hardly indicative of hard times. First to open was the Palace Theatre, located on the west side of College Avenue between Clayton and Washington streets on a lot not occupied by a parking deck constructed in the early 1990s. While both the Palace and the Strand (constructed on East Clayton Street, next to the Holman Building) are gone, the Georgia Theatre at the northwest corner of Clayton and Lumpkin still stands. Originally known as the Elite, the Georgia Theatre is now an active venue frequented by a variety of popular music performers and their fans and also shows movies on occasion.

Between 1930 and the early 1950s almost no building activity took place east of Lumpkin Street while more than a dozen structures were built between Lumpkin and Pulaski, outside the Downtown Athens Local Historic District but within the recently-amended National Register district. This building activity west of Lumpkin completely transformed the character of the area from primarily residential to a mix of commercial, service, and light manufacturing uses. Whereas more than three dozen dwellings stood in this area in the mid-1920s there were only a handful of houses remaining in 1950 and these would soon be gone.

Developments in Downtown Athens Local Historic District since 1960

During the past half-century downtown Athens has experienced the trauma of urban renewal and well-intentioned but historically inappropriate efforts to “modernize” buildings and streets. The area has also weathered new commercial competition in the form of enclosed shopping malls and strip shopping centers located elsewhere in Athens. But downtown Athens has benefited from the efforts of forward-thinking citizens, businessmen and public officials who have never viewed the downtown area as anything other than the heart of Athens and Clarke County.

Urban Renewal and Threats to Downtown Buildings

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Athens embarked on two large urban renewal projects in the early 1960s. The first, known as “Georgia Project 50” and initiated in 1962, was centered on Baxter Street and thus well beyond the boundaries of the downtown area. But “Georgia Project 51,” also known as the College Avenue Redevelopment Project, involved the public acquisition of some 128 acres in northern downtown as well as in the vicinity of the Oconee River north from East Broad Street. The stated goals of the undertaking included revitalization of downtown Athens, maximization of ad valorum tax revenues through enhanced property valuations, and continuation of Athens’ position as a Northeast Georgia trade center. The City of Athens received $3.5 million in federal assistance to complete work that began in 1964 and eventually saw demolition of more than 300 residential and commercial buildings on 310 parcels, resulting in displacement of some 212 families and individuals as well as 62 businesses.

By the early 1970s more than one-third of the cleared land had been sold for redevelopment with purchases made by government entities as well as private individuals. New undertakings completed included construction by Clarke County of a $700,000 public library, a $2.1 million low-cost federal housing project constructed on ten acres by Bethel Homes, Inc., a ten-story building providing elderly house, the Richard G. Stephens Federal Building, and construction of the Thomas Street Connector, a relocation of the U.S. Highway 29 North from downtown across the Oconee River. These projects were all complete outside the boundaries of the Downtown Athens Local Historic District but certainly had an impact on the commercial area within the district. A significant number of the buildings demolished were historic residences determined to be “slum dwellings,” and also many commercial structures and even a few institutional buildings torn down such as the c.1884 Congregational Children of Israel Synagogue at the northeast corner of Jackson and Hancock that was removed to make room for the new federal building. Most of the residential buildings demolished were in the poor and racially integrated “Lickskillet” neighborhood, located north of the intersection of East Hancock Street and College Avenue. Nearly all of the structures demolished dated from the mid to late 1800s.

A few other historic buildings were threatened by Urban Renewal but ultimately saved. These included the oldest surviving dwelling in Athens, the Church-Waddel-Brumby House, and even City Hall (which though considered by some a good candidate for replacement was never seriously threatened). The Brumby House, constructed in 1820 for Alonzo Church (president of the University of Georgia 1829-1859) stood on the north side of East Hancock Avenue between Jackson and Thomas streets, not far from the Synagogue that was demolished, and was in line of the planned Federal Building. But a vocal group of Athens residents would not stand by and see this especially significant building demolished. They formed the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation (ACHF) in April of 1967 and that fall arranged to have the house moved a short distance to the northeast along the rerouted Dougherty Street. Several years went by while the ACHF raised private money and secured local as well as federal grants to restore the house, and the project was finally completed in 1972. ACHF deeded the Brumby House to the City of Athens and began operating the building as a house museum, but it was soon felt that the property was being under-utilized. Additional work was completed and the house was adapted for use as the Athens Welcome Center, a function it continues

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to serve. The Brumby House is not in the Downtown Athens Local Historic District due to the fact that it is cut off from the rest of the district by the nonhistoric Federal Building, but its recent history and the fact that the ACHF was established to save it make this building of special importance to the rest of downtown Athens.

Indirectly threatened by Urban Renewal was the Old Federal Building, a Renaissance Revival styled structure built on College Avenue in 1906. When federal offices vacated the structure for the new Richard G. Stephens Federal Building, downtown revitalization plans earmarked the site for a parking deck. But in 1971 the property was acquired by the First American Bank and Trust Company, which rehabilitated the building’s basement and ground floor for its own offices. This project was significant and the first major adaptive reuse undertaking in downtown Athens.

Shortly after the Old Federal Building and Brumby House were successfully rehabilitated, another highly significant downtown building appeared likely to be lost. The Franklin House, one of the most important commercial structures in downtown Athens and among the oldest historic hotel buildings in Georgia, was slated for demolition in 1973. Once again, however, the ACHF prevented a key resource from being town down by raising funds necessary to purchase the property. The ACHF was successful in having the Franklin House listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December of 1974 and the organization utilized a National Park Service grant to complete stabilization work before selling the building to a private businessman in 1977. After changing hands a short time later, the Franklin House was fully restored and today remains a centerpiece of historic Downtown Athens.

Early Revitalization Efforts

Although Urban Renewal brought change to the northern side of downtown Athens and specified revitalization of the downtown area as a goal, the program did not focus its attention on the heart of Athens’ commercial district. But at the very time that Urban Renewal was changing the face of the College Avenue area north of Washington a new effort began proposing changes for other downtown streets. The impetus came from a 1965 report commissioned by the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce and titled “The Classic City?” Authored by the Atlanta firm Heery and Heery, the study concluded that downtown Athens was suffering economically as well as aesthetically and that conditions would only worsen and negatively affect the entire city unless changes were made. The Heery team recommended conversion of the eastern end of Clayton Street into a pedestrian mall, a plan that never materialized. Over the next few years various proposals were put forward, focusing on increasing parking availability, removing the “clutter” of downtown building signs, and improving traffic flow through the parking area. In 1968 a downtown redevelopment committee recommended securing additional Urban Renewal funds, although the group noted that “Urban renewal in a downtown area does not require wholesale demolition of existing buildings as it does in blighted areas of substandard buildings.” (12)

12 Athens Banner-Herald, February 1968.

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While nothing “concrete” resulted from the Heery study, it did serve to spark interest in and attention to the problems and potentials of downtown Athens. But during the 1970s and early 1980s a number of downtown buildings suffered from insensitive alterations and even neglect. The area experienced some bleak years, primarily due to competition from new outlying shopping centers. In 1981 Georgia Square Mall opened several miles west of downtown on Athens Highway (U.S. Highway 78) and four downtown department stores and several small retail businesses relocated to the new facility. This new competition led some business owners to “modernize” their downtown buildings, efforts that were well-intentioned but ultimately failed to draw back many of the lost customers and detracted considerably from the historic character of the commercial district. Many of these changes have been reversed since early 1980s, however.

In the early 1980s a large parking deck was constructed along College Avenue at the southwest corner of the intersection of College and Washington Street. The project was somewhat controversial, as many were concerned that the large new structure would harm the historic integrity of the area. The building does dominate the intersection and provided a sharp contrast to City Hall on the other side of Washington Street, but the placement of commercial spaces on the ground level is somewhat successful in minimizing the building’s visual impact to pedestrians as they walk by.

As the 21st century opens, much change is taking place in and around downtown Athens, the most immediate of which is an infrastructure improvements project that began being implemented on West Clayton Street in 2000 and moved to East Broad Street in 2001. The project consists of replacing aged utility lines, installing a new stormwater drainage system, and a number of streetscape improvements such as sidewalk and crosswalk work and tree planting.

A project that has been in the works since 1993 is the construction of a new “multi-modal” transportation center at the eastern edge of downtown Athens on Foundry Street. The facility was originally envisioned as the local hub for a commuter rail line between Athens and Atlanta. Though the future of the proposed rail line remains somewhat in doubt, the multimodal center will still go forward as a transfer station for Athens and University of Georgia buses. The project is expected to consist of a parking deck, a bus transfer center, a pedestrian walkway connecting Thomas Street to the Foundry Street parking deck and bus transfer center, and a landscaped pedestrian plaza. Other new construction activity in the vicinity of Thomas Street east of the historic district is bringing considerable change to that area.

60 8. Major Bibliographic References

Athens Banner-Herald. Various Issues.

Athens, Georgia: Home of the University of Georgia, 1801-1951. Athens: Mayor and Council of the City of Athens, 1951.

Chaffin, Ethel Tison. “Musical Theatre in Athens, Georgia: 1865-1888.” Athens Historian, Volume 4, Number 1 (October 1999): p. 37.

Coleman, Kenneth. Confederate Athens. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1967.

Coleman, Kenneth, and Charles Stephen Gurr, eds. Dictionary of Georgia Biography. 2 vols. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1984.

Coulter, Ellis Merton. “The Birth of a University, a Town, and a County.” Georgia Historical Quarterly 46, No. 1 (Marth 1962): 113-150.

Coulter, Ellis Merton. College Life in the Old South. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1951.

Coulter, Ellis Merton. “The Politics of Dividing a Georgia County: Oconee from Clarke.” Georgia Historical Quarterly 57, No. 4 (Winter 1979): 475-492.

DeVorsey, Louis, Jr. ”Early Water-Powered Industries in Athens and Clarke County.” Papers of Athens Historical Society 2 (1979): 39-51.

Federal Writers Project, Works Progress Administration, comp. Georgia: A Guide to Its Towns and Countryside. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1940.

Griffith, A. E. History of the Southern Mutual Insurance Company, Athens, Georgia, 1848-1923. Rev. Edition. Athens: McGregor, 1931.

Hajos, Albin. Hajos’ Athens Georgia: Photo-Gravures. Athens: The author, 1900.

Huffman, Frank J., Jr. “Town and Country in the South, 1850-1880: A Comparison of Urban and Rural Structures.” South Atlantic Quarterly 76 (Summer 1977): 366-381.

Hull, Augustu Longstreet. Annals of Athens, Georgia. 1906. Reprint, with index. Danielsville, Georgia: Heritage Papers, 1978.

Hynds, Ernest C. Antebellum Athens and Clarke County, Georgia. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1974.

Mell, Edward Baker. Reminiscences of Athens About 1889 to 1890. Edited by Jones M Drewry. Athens: N.P., 1964.

Morris, Sylvanus. Strolls About Athens in the Early Seventies. 1912. Facsimilie reprint. Athens: Athens Historical Society, 1969.

61 Reap, James. Athens: A Pictorial History. Norfolk, Virginia: Donning, 1982.

Reap, James. “Downtown Athens Historic District,” National Register Nomination, 1978.

Rowe, H. J., ed. A History of Athens and Clarke County. Athens: McGregor, 1923.

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (Athens, Georgia). New York, NY: Sanborn Fire Insurance Company, 1885, 1888, 1893, 1898, 1903, 1908, 1913, 1926, 1950.

Schinkel, Peter. ”The Negro in Athens and Clarke County, 1872-1900.” Master’s thesis, University of Georgia, 1971.

Sears, Joan Niles. The First Hundred Years of Town Planning in Georgia. Atlanta: Cherokee Publishing, 1979.

Strahan, Charles Morton. Clarke County, Georgia, and the City of Athens. Athens: N.P., 1893.

Thomas, Francis Taliaferro. A Portrait of Historic Athens and Clarke County. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1992.

Thurmond, Michael L. A Story Untold: Black Men and Women in Athens History. Athens: Clarke County School District, 1978.

Warren, Mary Bondurant. “Athens: Its Earliest History.” Papers of the Athens Historical Society I (1963): 7-12.

Previous documentation on file: ( ) N/A

( ) preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested ( ) preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been issued date issued: (X) previously listed in the National Register (X) previously determined eligible by the National Register ( ) designated a National Historic Landmark ( ) recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # ( ) recorded by Historic American Engineering Record #

Primary location of additional data:

(X) State historic preservation office ( ) Other State Agency ( ) Federal agency (X) Local government (X) University (X) Other, Specify Repository: Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, Inc.

Georgia Historic Resources Survey Number (if assigned):

62 9. Geographical Data

Acreage of Property acres [To Be Finalized by ACC Planning Dept. staff]

UTM References

A) Zone Easting Northing

Verbal Boundary Description

The boundary of the Downtown Athens Local Historic District is delineated by a solid black line on the attached district map.

Boundary Justification

The boundary of the Downtown Athens Local Historic District was drawn to take in contiguous historic development within the core of the downtown Athens commercial area that retains historic integrity and presents itself as a cohesive whole.

10. Form Prepared By

name/title John Kissane (consultant) organization Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation, Inc. street & number 489 Prince Avenue city or town Athens state Georgia zip code 30601 telephone (706) 353-1801 date draft April 14, 2006

Consulting Services/Technical Assistance (if applicable) ( ) not applicable

(X) consultant ( ) regional development center preservation planner ( ) other:

Amendment by name/title Amber Eskew, Preservation Planner organization Athens-Clarke County Planning Department street & number 120 W. Dougherty Street city or town Athens state Georgia zip code 30601 telephone (706) 613-3515 date draft September 13, 2019

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Photographs

Name of Property: Downtown Athens Local Historic District City or Vicinity: Athens County: Clarke State: Georgia Photographer: John Kissane Date Photographed: Spring 2006

Description of Photograph(s):

1. East Broad Street, 100 block, N side 2. 115 East Broad Street 3. 127 East Broad Street 4. 127 East Broad Street 5. 151 East Broad Street 6. 163 East Broad Street 7. 167 East Broad Street 8. 171-191 East Broad Street 9. 101-147 College Avenue 10. East Broad Street, 200 block, N side 11. East Broad Street, 200 block, N side 12. 225-229 East Broad Street 13. 233-247 East Broad Street 14. 259 East Broad Street 15. 279 East Broad Street 16. 283 East Broad Street 17. 297 East Broad Street 18. East Broad Street, 300 block, N side 19. East Broad Street, 300 block, N side 20. East Broad Street, 300 block, S side 21. 311-333 East Broad Street 22. 312 East Broad Street 23. 346 East Broad Street 24. 350 East Broad Street 25. 351 East Broad Street 26. 364 East Broad Street 27. 378 East Broad Street 28. 382 East Broad Street 29. 401 East Broad Street 30. 424 East Broad Street

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Photographs

31. 434 East Broad Street 32. 456 East Broad Street 33. 480 East Broad Street 34. 580 East Broad Street 35. Confederate Monumemt 36. Elijah Clarke Monumemt 37. 100 East Clayton Street 38. East Clayton Street, 100 block, N side 39. East Clayton Street, 100 block, N side 40. East Clayton Street, 100 block, S side 41. East Clayton Street, 100 block, S side 42. 101-115 East Clayton Street 43. 101-115 East Clayton Street 44. 101-115 & 121 East Clayton Street 45. 101-115 East Clayton Street 46. 120-124 East Clayton Street 47. 121 East Clayton Street 48. 125-131 East Clayton Street 49. 134-136 East Clayton Street 50. 134-136 East Clayton Street 51. 144-146 East Clayton Street 52. 145 East Clayton Street 53. 151 East Clayton Street 54. 154 East Clayton Street 55. 155 East Clayton Street 56. 164-166 East Clayton Street 57. 165-175 East Clayton Street 58. 174-184 East Clayton Street 59. 186 East Clayton Street 60. 193-197 East Clayton Street 61. East Clayton Street, 200 block, N side 62. East Clayton Street, 200 block, N side 63. 216-220 East Clayton Street 64. 224 East Clayton Street 65. 227 East Clayton Street 66. 228 East Clayton Street 67. 228 East Clayton Street 68. 233 East Clayton Street 69. 238-246 East Clayton Street 70. 238-246 East Clayton Street 71. 255-275 East Clayton Street 72. 255-275 East Clayton Street

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Photographs

73. 256 East Clayton Street 74. 264 East Clayton Street 75. 278 East Clayton Street 76. 282 East Clayton Street 77. 283 East Clayton Street 78. East Clayton Street, 300 and 400 blocks, S side 79. East Clayton Street, 300 block, N side 80. 301-321 East Clayton Street 81. 301-321 East Clayton Street 82. 320 East Clayton Street 83. 335 East Clayton Street 84. 335 East Clayton Street 85. 351 East Clayton Street 86. 351 East Clayton Street 87. 361 East Clayton Street 88. 400 East Clayton Street 89. 400 East Clayton Street 90. 159 West Clayton Street 91. College Avenue, 100 block, E side 92. College Avenue, 100 block, W side 93. 114 College Avenue 94. 128 College Avenue 95. 156-170 College Avenue 96. 157 College Avenue 97. 171 College Avenue 98. 171 College Avenue (storefront detail) 99. 195 College Avenue 100. 220 College Avenue 101. 220 College Avenue 102. 220 College Avenue 103. 230 College Avenue 104. 255 College Avenue 105. 260-262 College Avenue 106. 260-262 College Avenue 107. 300 College Avenue 108. 301 College Avenue 109. Double-Barrel Cannon 110. 110 South Foundry Street 111. 112 South Foundry Street 112. 112 South Foundry Street 113. 115 East Hancock Avenue 114. 115 East Hancock Avenue

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Photographs

115. 124 East Hancock Avenue 116. 124 East Hancock Avenue 117. 150 East Hancock Avenue 118. 185 East Hancock Avenue 119. 193 East Hancock Avenue 120. 123 North Jackson Street 121. 141 North Jackson Street 122. 142 North Jackson Street 123. 143 North Jackson Street 124. 260-268 North Jackson Street 125. 260-268 North Jackson Street 126. North Lumpkin Street, 100 block, W side 126A. 101 North Lumpkin Street 126B. 125/137 North Lumpkin Street 127. 149-175 North Lumpkin Street 128. 187 North Lumpkin Street 129. 199 North Lumpkin Street 130. 199 North Lumpkin Street (W. Clayton Street elevation) 131. 215 North Lumpkin Street 132. 225 North Lumpkin Street 133. 240 North Lumpkin Street 134. 142 Oconee Street 135. 142 Oconee Street 136. 286 Oconee Street 137. 286 Oconee Street 138. East Washington Street, 100 block, S side 139. 104 East Washington Street 140. 264-288 North Lumpkin Street (N. Lumpkin St. elevation) 141. 120 East Washington Street 142. 130 East Washington Street 143. 133 East Washington Street 144. 140 East Washington Street 145. 150 East Washington Street 146. 150 & 140 East Washington Street 147. 150, 140, 130 & 120 East Washington Street 148. 155 East Washington Street 149. 160 East Washington Street 150. East Washington Street, 200 block, S side 151. 240 East Washington Street 152. 244 East Washington Street 153. 244 & 240 East Washington Street 154. 244 East Washington Street (east side elevation)

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Photographs

155. 247 East Washington Street 156. 247 East Washington Street (rear elevation) 157. 260 East Washington Street 158. 298 East Washington Street 159. East Washington Street, 300 block, S side 160. 304 East Washington Street 161. 312 East Washington Street 162. 315 East Washington Street 163. 318 East Washington Street 164. 427/429 East Broad Street 165. 431/459 East Broad Street 166. 420 East Clayton Street 167. 458 East Clayton Street 168. 485 East Clayton Street

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Current Property Owners

69