Athens Real Estate Listings of Houses and Homes for Sale in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia

Athens

Just below the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, near the confluence of the North and Middle Oconee Rivers, lies the City of Athens. Among the rolling red clay hills of North Georgia, a city and a university grew into a center of culture and wealth, nurturing individuals and ideas that have commanded national attention.

The City of Athens began as a tiny settlement that emerged at Cedar Shoals, where an ancient Cherokee trail crossed the Oconee River. Clarke County was enacted on December 5, 1801, and originally contained present-day Oconee County, as well as parts of Madison and Greene Counties. Clarke County was named for Elijah Clarke, who came to Georgia from North Carolina in 1774 to fight in Georgia’s battles with the Cherokee and Creek tribes. Clarke was instrumental in securing treaties with the Creeks in 1782 and the Cherokees in 1792, which temporarily halted hostilities between settlers of European descent and the indigenous Native American populations.

The City of Athens was incorporated on December 8, 1806. The University of Georgia had opened for classes in 1801, and the city was named in honor of the center of higher learning that had flourished in classical Greece. As fine federal homes began to appear around the new campus, the role of Athens as the intellectual center of Georgia became increasingly evident: the cultured social life surrounding the college attracted prominent families of wealth and national stature. Industry developed rapidly; Athens’ economy during the first half of the nineteenth century was based primarily upon cotton, brick works, textile mills, and railroad transportation.

The War Between the States interrupted antebellum prosperity. Mercantile production was halted, and the local citizenry suffered the loss of more than 300 men and boys who were killed during the war. Athens was spared the fate of many of Georgia’s cities, however, remaining virtually intact after hostilities had ended: Sherman’s infamous army did not march through the area.

The Reconstruction period was devastating for the entire South; however, under the leadership of the University and such men as Benjamin Harvey Hill, Howell Cobb and Joseph Henry Lumpkin, Athens soon regained its momentum. In 1867, visiting naturalist John Muir described Athens as “a remarkably beautiful and aristocratic town,” where “marks of culture and refinement” were everywhere apparent. Textile factories and related businesses flourished once again, resulting in a growth virtually unparalleled in the New South. The benefits of economic prosperity were reflected in the community: the Lucy Cobb Institute earned a reputation as one of the finest girls’ schools in the country, while mansions of ever-increasing grandeur multiplied throughout the city during the Victorian period. The Athens Street Railway Company was organized in 1870, and, in 1871, the seat of Clarke County was transferred from nearby Watkinsville to Athens.

The 20th century continued the positive evolution of Athens, witnessing the growth of The University of Georgia into an internationally recognized educational and research institution. During the final quarter of the century, historical preservation became a great priority. The citizens of Athens value the stunning architectural heritage of the city, and irreplaceable treasures of the past continue to be restored to their original glory. Today, Athens-Clarke County, the commercial, medical, professional, and educational hub of northeast Georgia, is home to a little over 100,000 residents. The University remains a great influence on lifestyle, tempo, and outlook for the community, maintaining a crucial link with tradition while assisting in Athens’ propulsion into the 21st century.

No community of comparable size in the Southeast can boast richer cultural resources than Athens, earning recognition as one of America's Top 25 Arts Destinations by AmericanStyle magazine.

From touring Broadway productions and headline entertainers to Athens' symphony orchestra and theatre companies to the myriad of performances and exhibitions at the University of Georgia's Performing and Visual Arts Complex, top-quality venues draw appreciative audiences year-round.

Athens is also renowned for its Visual Arts community, as home to Georgia's official State Museum of Art and a thriving local arts scene, with numerous galleries and artists' studios. Downtown Athens houses an eclectic mix of specialty shops, artists' galleries, and restaurants, housed in restored, Victorian-era buildings. Gardens in Athens include the State Botanical Garden of Georgia and other gardens and specialty nurseries that draw enthusiasts from throughout the Southeast and the nation. Athens is home of America's First Garden Club.

Living History can be discovered in Athens' three House Museums representing a variety of architectural styles. The Church-Waddel-Brumby House (Federal, 1820); Taylor-Grady House (Greek Revival, ca. 1844); and Ware-Lyndon House (Italianate, 1856) are all open to the public. Athens has 14 neighborhoods and 35 other sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Morton Theatre (ca. 1910), was one of the first vaudeville theatres built, owned, and operated by an African-American. The site of performers such as Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington is completely restored as a performing arts venue and is on the National Register.

AthFest each June attracts over 20,000 visitors to see over 100 bands playing on indoor and outdoor stages throughout downtown Athens. The weekend also features visual arts and children's activities and it was named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society. Nightlife and Music in Athens throughout the year are world-renowned. The city that nurtured R.E.M, the B-52's, and Widespread Panic continues to offer live music nightly from hundreds of new bands.

As far as most Athens residents are concerned, Atlanta is just close enough. On one hand, it's a definite advantage from many standpoints to have a major international city just 70 miles away. On the other, that's enough distance to maintain a protective buffer from the city's notorious traffic and urban sprawl.

Besides easy access to Hotlanta to the west, Athens' central location in the Southeast region makes it easy to enjoy a weekend getaway, whether one's preference runs to mountains or beaches. Head north and you soon hit the foothills of the Appalachians. Go east to find any number of charming cities and resort areas along the Atlantic coast. Or drive south a couple hours if you prefer the blue water and white sand of the Gulf. Orlando—the world's No. 1 vacation mecca—is within a day's drive. However, if you just never find the time or the motivation to leave Athens to take a vacation, everyone here will understand.