Athens is a city in, and county seat of, Limestone County, Alabama and had a population of 24,234 as of the 2009 U.S. Census. The city covers over 39 square miles of total area with almost all of it being land. Athens was founded in 1818 by John Coffee, Robert Beaty, John D. Carroll and John Read and is one of the oldest incorporated cities in Alabama. Athens was incorporated just one year before Alabama was admitted into the Union, which occurred in 1819. Found in the Athens, AL Business Directory, Athens State University was built in 1822 and originally the Athens Female Academy before undergoing name changes to both Athens Female College, and then Athens College after it became co-educational in 1932.
Athens is home to Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant, which was once the largest nuclear plant in the world at one point. You can find the plant in the Athens, AL Yellow Pages. You'll probably also find the Robert Beaty District, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to Athens sponsored walking tours. The Athens-Limestone Beautification Board sponsors an annual Dogwood Festival, which is held in April. The Athens Bible School plays host to an annual arts and crafts festival, also held in April. Each spring, the campus also plays host to a two-day Music Explosion. There is also the Athens Sportsplex, housing 8 baseball fields, 5 soccer fields, disc golf, a swimming pool and the Kids Dugout.
Written by Lyndsey Morgan
