Athens, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Athens, Ohio
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Athens in 2003
|
|||
|
|||
Location of Athens in Athens County and the state of Ohio
|
|||
 Athens, Ohio
Location in Ohio
Athens, Ohio
Location in the United States
|
|||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | Ohio | ||
| County | Athens | ||
| Named for | Athens, Greece | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 10.21 sq mi (26.44 km2) | ||
| • Land | 9.96 sq mi (25.79 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.25 sq mi (0.65 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 709 ft (216 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
|
|||
| • Total | 23,849 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
|
24,673 | ||
| • Density | 2,394.72/sq mi (924.58/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
45701
|
||
| Area codes | 740, 220 | ||
| FIPS code | 39-02736 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2394009 | ||
Athens is a city in Ohio, United States. It is the main city of Athens County. In 2020, about 23,849 people lived there. Athens is located along the Hocking River in a part of Ohio called Appalachian Ohio. It's about 65 miles (105 km) southeast of Columbus.
Athens is most famous for being the home of Ohio University. This is a large public university with over 21,000 students.
Contents
History of Athens
The first European settlers came to Athens in 1797. This was after the United States won the American Revolutionary War. In 1800, the town was mapped out. It became a village in 1811. Ohio became a state in 1803.
Ohio University was officially started in 1804. It was the first public university in the Northwest Territory. Athens County was created in 1805. It was named after Athens, Greece, which was an old center of learning.
Ohio University was special because it was the first educational place in the U.S. to get land from the federal government. This land helped the university grow. Today, it is one of the biggest universities in Ohio.
Early jobs in Athens included making salt, iron, and mining coal. The Hocking Canal opened in 1843. This allowed boats to travel from the Ohio River up the Hocking River through Athens. However, the canal closed in winter when it froze.
The first railroad came to Athens in 1857. Later, a special train line connected Athens and Nelsonville.
The Athens Lunatic Asylum, a hospital for mental health, opened in 1874. It was the town's biggest employer in the late 1800s. Later, the hospital closed. Its buildings and land were given to Ohio University. Now, this area is called The Ridges. Many buildings have been fixed up for offices and research.
By 1935, Athens was known for coal, fruit, and its university. It also had factories that made stoves, lumber, and coffins. The city and university grew a lot after World War Two and during the Vietnam War era.
Geography of Athens
Athens is in a hilly area called the Allegheny Plateau. It's about 47 miles (76 km) from Chillicothe. The city is surrounded by hills that rise about 300 feet (91 meters) from the river valley. The Hocking River flows through Athens.
Much of Athens and Ohio University are in the river's floodplain. In the past, the town had many big floods. To stop this, the Army Corps of Engineers changed the path of the Hocking River in 1969. This project moved the river hundreds of feet south. It has greatly helped reduce flooding.
Athens gets all its water from wells. These wells tap into underground water sources near the river. Athens is thought to be the largest city in the U.S. to get all its water this way.
People in Athens
In 2010, there were 23,832 people living in Athens. Most people (86.4%) were White. About 4.4% were African American, and 6.1% were Asian. About 2.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Athens was 21.6 years old. This is because a large number of people are students at Ohio University. About 67.6% of residents were between 18 and 24 years old.
Economy of Athens
From the mid-1800s to the 1950s, coal mining and making bricks were big jobs in Athens County. These jobs became less common later on.
Ohio University is the biggest employer in Athens County. Many local businesses, like restaurants, shops, and hotels, depend on the university and its students and visitors. There are also some manufacturing and technology companies in Athens.
Athens is known for being a progressive community. This means it often supports things like using clean energy and local businesses. The Athens Farmers Market is open all year.
Court Street is a busy area with many student apartments. Ohio University's main entrance is at Court & Union streets. There are also several shopping areas outside the main downtown area.
Arts and Culture
Athens has a rich music scene. Many local bands play here, and touring musicians visit. Famous musicians like Joe Dolce and Jonathan Edwards went to college in Athens. The metal band Skeletonwitch is from Athens.
There are also several places for art and history:
- The Southeast Ohio History Center: This museum shows items from Athens County's past.
- The Dairy Barn Arts Center: This center features modern art and crafts.
- Kennedy Museum of Art: Located at Ohio University, it has collections of Native American art and modern prints.
- Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery: An interactive center especially for children.
Fun Festivals
- Athens Ohio Halloween Block Party: This is a huge Halloween party that draws thousands of people each year. People dress up in costumes and celebrate in the streets.
- Blackout Fest: An annual music festival featuring indie rock bands.
- Athens Community Music Festival: Held every August, this festival features many local bands.
- Concert "Under the Elms": Free concerts held on the Ohio University College Green in summer.
- The Number Fest: A large independent music festival that features national music artists.
- Ohio Brew Week: A nine-day festival celebrating craft beers from Ohio.
Parks and Recreation
Athens has many places for fun and exercise. These include a community recreation center, city parks, playgrounds, and soccer fields. There are also two dog parks and a large system of trails. The Athens Skate Park is the second largest in Ohio.
The Athens Community Center, or "The Rec Center," offers many activities. It has sports, childcare, and camps. It includes an outdoor swimming pool, a skate park, and an indoor track. The city also has adult softball and soccer leagues.
Sells Park is a large park with a pond and trails. Strouds Run State Park is just outside the city. It has over 2,600 acres (10.5 km²) of wooded hills and a lake. You can go camping there. Both Sells Park and Strouds Run State Park are part of the Athens Trail Network.
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a paved trail for walking, running, and biking. It is 16.4 miles (26.4 km) long. It connects Athens to Nelsonville and passes by Ohio University.
Athens is a Tree City USA, which means it cares about its trees and green spaces.
Trails for Adventure
The Athens Trail Network has many trails for hiking, running, and biking. These trails branch out from Sells Park and connect to Strouds Run State Park. They offer great views and pass by interesting spots like Sells Pond, Hawk Woods, and Turtlehead Cave. Volunteers from the community and university help keep the trails in good shape.
Education in Athens
Ohio University is a public university in Athens. It has over 30,000 students and a large campus. Founded in 1804, it is the oldest university in Ohio. It's also the ninth oldest public university in the United States. The university is known for its many academic programs.
For younger students, the Athens City School District serves the city. It has five schools:
- East Elementary (Pre-K to 3rd grade)
- Morrison Gordon Elementary (Pre-K to 3rd grade)
- The Plains Intermediate School (4th to 6th grade)
- Athens Middle School (7th to 8th grade)
- Athens High School (home of the 'Bulldogs' and Joe Burrow Stadium)
New buildings for East Elementary and Morrison Gordon Elementary opened in 2021. The Plains Intermediate was updated in 2022. A new Athens High School is planned to start construction in 2025.
Athens also has a public library, which is part of the Athens County Public Libraries.
Media in Athens
Athens has several local media outlets:
- The Athens Messenger: The oldest newspaper in Athens, started in 1848.
- The Athens News: A free weekly newspaper.
- The Post: The student newspaper of Ohio University.
- The New Political: A student-run online publication about politics.
- The Matrix: The student newspaper of Athens High School.
- Athens Community Television: A public access TV channel.
- The Government Channel: A TV channel for Athens city government.
- Radio stations: WOUB-FM (public radio), WATH-AM/FM (oldies/pop-rock), WXTQ-FM (current hits), and WJKW (Christian music).
- Public Television: WOUB-TV, a PBS affiliate.
Transportation in Athens
Railroads came to Athens in the 1850s. The last passenger train left in 1981. Now, only a few freight trains pass near the city.
The first 4-lane road into Athens was built in the early 1970s. Over the years, more 4-lane highways were completed, connecting Athens to cities like Cincinnati, Parkersburg, and Columbus. The last section of the 4-lane highway bypassing Nelsonville was finished in 2013.
Ohio University has a modern regional airport called Gordon K. Bush Airport. It's about 15 miles (24 km) southwest of the city. The closest airports with commercial flights are near Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Columbus, Ohio.
Athens has a public bus system. It's free for Ohio University students and staff. Seniors and school-age students can ride for a lower price. There's also an inter-city bus line called GoBus that connects Athens to other cities like Columbus and Cincinnati.
Notable People from Athens
- Joe Burrow: NFL football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Joe Dolce: Musician and poet.
- Dow Finsterwald: Professional golfer who won the 1958 PGA Championship.
- Atul Gawande: Surgeon and writer on medicine and public health.
- Kevin Hartman: Professional soccer player.
- David Hostetler: Sculptor.
- Maya Lin: Architect and designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
- Skeletonwitch: An American metal band.
- Scott Stricklin: College baseball head coach.
- Fred Swearingen: NFL referee.
- Art Tripp: Percussionist known for his work with Frank Zappa.
- David Wilhelm: Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from 1993 to 1994.
See also
In Spanish: Athens (Ohio) para niños
