A Portrait of Historic Athens and Clarke County describes in a clear and compelling way the development and growth of Athens, Georgia, and the surrounding county from presettlement days to the era of urbanization. Emphasizing the natural and the built environments of a town and county dominated by a river resource and a burgeoning university, Frances Taliaferro Thomas details the settlement patterns, events, institutions, architecture, landscape, economics, and personalities that shaped the area.
Chosen in the summer of 1801 as the site of the University of Georgia, the picturesque locale was to be the "Seat of the Muses." Once established, however, Athens quickly became more than a college town, and this work chronicles the many ways in which the community has distinguished itself over the years.
Nearly 175 photographs illustrate the text, including images of the historic homes and gardens for which the "Classic City" is well known. The work highlights historic preservation efforts in Athens and places the preservation movement within the context of urbanization and the rapid growth of town, county, and university.
Authoritative and accessible, A Portrait of Historic Athens and Clarke County will be of interest to anyone who is familiar with this unique southern community. Synthesizing recent scholarship, primary printed material, a wealth of secondary sources, and interviews, it also includes extensive notes and a comprehensive bibliography of the literature on the area.
"Substantially researched and abundantly illustrated with historic photographs, prints, and drawings, this book is lively reading."--Kenneth Severens, "Journal of Southern History"
"A handsome guide to the history of Athens and Clarke County which takes a delightful turn from what many have come to expect of local pictorial histories. It is at once two valuable resources: a smooth-flowing narrative description of a community's development, and a pictorial documentation of that same community's physical legacies."--Steve Gurr, "Georgia Historical Quarterly"
"Like a Greek revival mansion, this well-written book stands as a stately, lovely reminder of the value of landmarks to our quality of life and collective identity."--Thomas A. Scott, "Atlanta History"
"This 'portrait' of a city and county is well-drawn. . . . The writing itself is solid, entertaining, and clear: the prose style is perfectly adapted to this straightforward history of a town that grows into a city."--"Georgia Journal"
"It is as encompassing a general history of Athens and Clarke County as there is likely to be written for some time."--Tom Hudson, "Athens Magazine"
"Well researched without being pedantic . . . Readable without lapsing into the chummy chattiness of many local histories . . . The care that has gone into the research, writing, and illustration of the book elevates it considerably above most similar volumes."--John Seawright, "Flagpole"
"Enjoyable as a coffee-table book, but more informative . . . Insiders, outsiders, newcomers, and longstanding community members will no doubt enjoy "A Portrait of Historic Athens and Clarke County"."--Livia Wade, "Athens Observer"
Substantially researched and abundantly illustrated with historic photographs, prints, and drawings, this book is lively reading.--Kenneth Severens ""Journal of Southern History" "
Like a Greek revival mansion, this well-written book stands as a stately, lovely reminder of the value of landmarks to our quality of life and collective identity.--Thomas A. Scott ""Atlanta History" "
A handsome guide to the history of Athens and Clarke County which takes a delightful turn from what many have come to expect of local pictorial histories. It is at once two valuable resources: a smooth-flowing narrative description of a community's development, and a pictorial documentation of that same community's physical legacies.--Steve Gurr ""Georgia Historical Quarterly" "
