The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation is out with what it says is the first annual Athens Places in Peril list. The new list, constructed from community-solicited projects, is designed to encourage and guide ongoing efforts to save endangered historic spaces in Athens-Clarke County. The 2019 Athens Places in Peril list includes Beech Haven, The American Legion / Frank C. Maddox Center, Central Baptist Church Cemetery in Winterville, Billups Grove School House, Whitehall, and Reese Street School.
From the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation…
The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation (ACHF) announced today the properties for its first annual Athens Places in Peril program. The new list, constructed from community-solicited projects, is designed to encourage and guide ongoing efforts to save endangered historic spaces in Athens-Clarke County.
The initiative will officially launch on August 22 at ACHF's Monthly Preservation Potluck at Old Fire Hall No. 2. More details on that event can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1238814456292044/
“The Athens Place in Peril initiative is an exciting opportunity to celebrate ongoing grassroots preservation efforts around our community,” said Tommy Valentine, ACHF’s executive director. “It will also bring needed attention to some endangered and critically important parts of our history. We are so grateful for all the nominations we received from the community for this year’s list, and we are thrilled to work with the groups that are supporting each of these projects.”
To make the list, nominees were required to meet three criteria: 1. Listed on / eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (i.e. places must be 50 years old or older and look largely as they did originally), 2. Must be facing a current threat to their existence or integrity, and 3. Must have an active group supporting preservation efforts.
Once a site is selected, Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation will (1) Bring an increased level of attention to the site to promote its history and heritage, and also raise awareness of the site’s current condition; (2) Work with members of the local preservation community to assess the condition of the site and devise a preservation and maintenance plan; (3) Engage the community and members of the Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation by hosting a well-publicized and organized public input session that, with the assistance of the organizers, can function as a fundraiser and planning session for future preservation efforts; and (4) Coordinate with organizers to plan a volunteer clean-up day at the site.
The 2019 Athens Places in Peril list includes: Beech Haven, The American Legion / Frank C. Maddox Center, Central Baptist Church Cemetery in Winterville, Billups Grove School House, Whitehall, and Reese Street School.
Beech Haven, located off Atlanta Highway, is a renowned example of the Arts and Crafts architectural movement and is the focus of a SPLOST proposal that is awaiting final approval. Spread out over 149 acres of hardwood forest, the site contains carefully constructed, century-plus old bridges, pagodas, benches, pools, fountains, and two story home. The former summer retreat of the Rowland Family was first established in the WWI-era and was built largely by Athens African-American mastercraftsmen Ike Obsborn (rock mason) and Jim Glenn (master carpenter). The site is currently at risk of environmental deterioration and is in need of rehabilitation. The project was nominated by Nat Kuykendall of the Friends of Beech Haven
The Maddox Center was constructed by returning African-American WWI veterans, served for a time as an American Legion, and is perhaps best known for being Athens first licensed daycare for African-American children. It has also been a hub of community and culture in Athens and has been a venue for many weddings, dances, and concert performances from James Brown, B.B. King, and many more. The building is currently in need of stabilization and rehabilitation. This project was nominated by Tommie Farmer and Greater Bethel AME.
The Central Baptist Church was given to the African-American community in Athens before the first deed books were recorded at the Clarke County Courthouse. It currently has no known owner and there is some concern that the adjacent lot, which is currently for sale, is part of the church’s cemetery, as that lot and the known cemetery share the same parcel number. Submitted by Kim Burch and the HPC.
The Billups Grove School House was part of a larger network of church-supported one-room structures that addressed the educational needs of local African-Americans during the Jim Crow era. The school is located on Lexington Road, currently on city land adjacent to the Athens landfill. The structure is now threatened by deterioration. Submitted by Fred Smith and the East Athens Development Corporation.
Whitehall originated as a community centered around the Whitehall Mill. Now the neighborhood is threatened by unrestricted development and active demolition. To survive, the homes in this community would require a historic designation and local design guidelines. Submitted by Suzanne Tate and the Friends of Whitehall.
The Reese Street School, in the earlier parts of its history, was home to Athens High and Industrial School, and was the only high school in Georgia for African-American students. In 1922, it was the second of its kind to be accredited. Currently, the building is owned by the nonprofit Athens Masonic Association, but is in need of extensive repairs for preservation. Submitted by Marvin Nunnally and the Athens Masonic Association.
