The historic Athens City Cemetery will “come alive” with more than 35 period attired personalities to represent notables from the past 200 years during the Annual Athens City Cemetery Stroll on Sunday, September 22 from 2 – 5 P.M.
The history of Athens City Cemetery is also the history of the southeast during America’s southern and westward expansion. This event is free to the public and donations are welcomed to assist in the efforts of preserving these historical landmarks.
A few of the residents below may be stirring around for you to encounter.
Miss Jane Hamilton Childs who became the president of Athens College. During the War for Southern Independence, Madame Childs saved the Women’s College from destruction.
The feisty wife of James Donnell, Maria, was alone with a sick child during the union occupation. James had been exiled across the Tennessee River because of a warrant for his arrest by the occupying army.
Sallie Beaty, and her husband, Robert Beaty, became one of the founders of Athens. They built the beautiful home now known as the “Beaty-Mason Home.”
Mr. Leland Bacon Estes served 4 years in the Confederate Army and had been imprisoned in the infamous Fort Douglas. He returned to farming after the war; his son became a businessman in Athens.
W. P. Tanner was the son of the first mayor of Athens, Samuel Tanner. W.P. became a merchant then was elected mayor in 1861 during the “Sack of Athens.”
The passionate Mr. John Wade Keyes, declined payment of land for his service in the Revolutionary war by saying, “I did not fight for payment, I fought for patriotism.”
The stroll is supported by the City of Athens and Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association. Refreshments provided and served by ladies of Order of the Confederate Rose. Contact Mr. R.B. “Buzz” Estes at 256-434-0441 or Buzz@pclnet.net for more information.
Some restoration efforts are performed by Hobbs Camp #768 – SCV as well as the Athens-Limestone Beautification Board.
Other events and festivals coming up are:
Alabama Veterans Museum Coffee Call – Sep 7 at 8:00 AM. All veterans are invited.
256-771-7578.
Athens Cruise In on the Square Sep 7 from 3:00PM-8:00PM – 256-457-9179.
John Wade Keyes DAR Hosts A Celebration of Our Constitution September 19, 1:30 PM Alabama Veterans Museum. Special Guest Speaker, Major General Chris Anzalone, USAF (Ret)
Singing on the Square sponsored by Champion Chevrolet Sep 20 at 6:00 PM. Featuring Nedia Keel and Rocket City Chorus at 7:00PM both of Huntsville, AL. Contact 256-232-5411.
Trail of Tears Ride – Sep 21 Noon – 1:30 P.M. www.trailoftears-remembrance.org.
KALB Duck & Run 5K – Sep 21 at 8: AM Register at www.KeepAthensLimestoneBeautiful.com or 256-233-8728.
City Cemetery Walk Sep 22, 2–5:00 PM Come to the cemetery on Hobbs Street and enjoy the characters telling of their ancestors or others buried there. 256-434-0441.
The 2nd Annual Sherri Adams Softball Tournament September 28th 9: A.M. wmenefee@limestonehf.com
Athens Grease Festival Sep 28 – Downtown Athens, AL – “A Celebration of all things Fried”. www.spiritofathens.com.
For more information on all these and more events go to www.VisitAthensAL.com.
By: Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
