The history of Athens dates back even farther than that of Alabama. Athens was incorporated as a city in 1818, a year before Alabama became a state. It was originally founded -- as many towns of the era were -- as a agricultural town, with a heavy emphasis on the local cotton crop.
Founded at nearly the same time was the Athens Female Academy in 1822. Eventually, this school would become the Athens State University.
In 1934 the lights of Athens were lit by the Tennessee Valley Authority, becoming the first city to get power from the new organization.
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