Recently, the Limestone County Commission purchased "Chapman's Quarters." A parking lot or a new office structure has been mentioned for the site. Many townspeople, however, as well as members of the City Historical Commission, would like the county to explore the option of retaining and recycling at least some of the buildings. Behind refurbished facades, interiors could be retrofitted for contemporary usage. Commented one local, "You don't see many old-fashioned business districts this intact anymore. And where can you still find an old-time hotel directly across from the depot? All this is part of what makes our downtown special."
"Chapman's Quarters" and Griffin Hotel, Athens, Limestone County, c.1920 (Places in Peril 1999)10/25/1999 Across the tracks from Athens' adaptively renovated 1907 depot, a picturesque business row stands as a reminder of the intimate physical link that once existed between railroad transportation and commerce throughout small-town America. While countless older commercial districts in Alabama struggle to remain alive, downtown Athens thrives. Stores are full in the short block between the old depot and handsome courthouse square, and a number of vintage commercial structures have been attractively refurbished or, better still, continuously maintained. The c. 1920 Griffin Hotel, fronted by a long iron balcony, is the centerpiece of the row of business houses opposite the train station. Here, traveling salesmen--called "drummers" in those days--put up for a night or for weeks at a time as they worked the surrounding countryside. A faded sign painted on the side of the hotel still advertises rooms for fifty cents. During the early 1900s, adjacent structures housed, among other things, a silent movie theater and a car dealership that sold Hudson and Essex automobiles. Locally the row has been known as "Chapman's Quarters" since businessman J. E. Chapman acquired it in the early 1940s. The entire row is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Athens Courthouse Square Historic District.
Recently, the Limestone County Commission purchased "Chapman's Quarters." A parking lot or a new office structure has been mentioned for the site. Many townspeople, however, as well as members of the City Historical Commission, would like the county to explore the option of retaining and recycling at least some of the buildings. Behind refurbished facades, interiors could be retrofitted for contemporary usage. Commented one local, "You don't see many old-fashioned business districts this intact anymore. And where can you still find an old-time hotel directly across from the depot? All this is part of what makes our downtown special."
1 Comment
Dan Matthews
10/12/2023 09:37:15 am
I heard of a old car dealership on the square, and something about a car on the second floor being remove, ?
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Alabama's Endangered Historic LandmarksEach year since 1994, Alabama Heritage has highlighted threatened historic sites throughout Alabama. The “Places in Peril” list has identified more than 215 imperiled historic resources throughout the state, and is compiled by the Alabama Historical Commission and the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation. The locations highlight the results of deferred maintenance, perceived obsolescence, development pressures, and lack of funding—forces that now more than ever threaten our cultural legacy. But awareness is a powerful force, too, and can cultivate a renewed determination to be responsible stewards of our heritage. For more information, visit the AHC or the ATHP websites. Alabama Heritage is proud to bring to you a selection of the places designated as perilous. Please keep your comments to information relevant to the featured place in peril. Alabama Heritage reserves the right to delete any comment that we deem inappropriate. Archives
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