Athens GA Moving Companies

Athens, Georgia

This lively city in Georgia is widely popular for its outstanding mix of heritage and culture. Athens, called the “classic city,” got its name because it retains the roots of its heritage while keeping up with the trendsetting culture of the south. It is a blend of historic attractions, neo-classical architecture and the modernity of art. This unified city-county is home to the University of Georgia and is located in the northeastern part of the state. Moving to Athens means living in a city with a rich history, lively arts and culture scene, and affordable quality of life.

Economy:
Athens-Clarke County is a regional market for Northeast Georgia. It serves as a metropolitan area for employment and business of five adjoining counties. The largest employers as of 2008 are the University of Georgia, the Athens Regional Medical Center, Pilgrims Pride – GoldKist, the Clarke County School District, the ACC Unified Government, St. Mary’s Health Care System, Wal-Mart Associates Inc., Merial Limited and Carrier Corporation.

Tourism:
Athens is an excellent hub for trips and excursions to nearby Georgia attractions. Athens is a featured stop during regional driving trails as well, including Georgia’s Civil War Heartland Trail. This trail would include such sites as the world’s only double-barreled cannon and the Cook and Brothers Armory, which is where the Civil War rifles were manufactured. It would also include Historic 411, a federal highway from Lake City, Tennessee to Miami, Florida that recalls the days of travel before the interstates were created.

Athens has kept its tourism alive for the past 30 years now by constantly revitalizing and preserving downtown Athens. Victorian-era buildings have been restored to house an eclectic mix of more than 70 specialty retailers, 60 popular eateries and 50 taverns and nightspots. These line the heart of downtown Athens and have kept the downtown district pulsing with energy from morning through night.

Athens has now likewise become widely popular as the ultimate college town, being home to the University of Georgia and having produced such musical greats as the R.E.M. and the B-52s.

History:
Athens was originally just a trading settlement by the Oconee River called the Cedar Shoals in the late 1700s. By 1785, the University of Georgia was chartered as the first state-supported university. The city came to be known as Athens in honor of the Greek city that was the center of culture and learning during the ancient times.

The town of Athens became officially incorporated in December 1806. A three-member commission form of government was established, and as the university grew in reputation, commerce and industry began to spring up. This mainly came from cotton mills and thus Athens became known as the Manchester of the South for pioneering cotton technology. Beginning 1841, Athens started to be connected to other major southern cities by rail lines.

The city of Athens and Clarke County became unified on January 14, 1991, becoming the second consolidated government in Georgia.

Colleges/Universities:

• University of Georgia
• Emory University
• North Georgia College and State University
• Athens Technical College
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Piedmont College

Interesting Facts:

• Athens has the smallest land area of Georgia’s 159 counties at approximately 122 square miles.
• The Clarke County School District is separate from the Unified Government.
• Athens’ official tree is the Gingko.
• Athens was named as one of the coolest small cities in America by GQ Magazine.
• American film actress Kim Basinger is from Athens.