Athens gets its name from the ancient Athens in Greece. The Citizens here still reflect the words
of Pericles, 100 B.C., that "Athens" expects every citizen to take an interest in public affairs.
And this the people do today as they did when the land for Athens and McMinn County was first
obtained from the "Great Cherokee Nation" more than 150 years ago.
Just before the turn of the century, Athens was beginning to feel the results of
the Industrial Revolution, thus, the chiefly agricultural economy diversified. This
helped to keep the area stable through the depression and prepared it for
progressive growth which it still experiences today.
The agricultural economy is still present today. This has made McMinn County the leading Grade A milk producing county in the state. Other agricultural products are beef cattle, hay and feed grains, tobacco, cotton, and timber.
The area being diversified, also has a number of large industries. One of the
nations leading paper manufacturers located here, utilizing the vast amount of
available timberland. There are also more than one hundred other manufacturers
located here producing everything from chemicals, electric motors, clothing
hosiery, gas and electric ranges, paper products to rugs.
The People of Athens are a very friendly and working group who participate in a healthy labor climate. There is a spirit of friendliness and cooperation which few places possess. The blend of the old and the new here also adds to the uniqueness of Athens.
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