Top nine historical markers in Athens

The City of Athens has over 27 historical markers that represent important parts of the city’s history. Here are nine historical plaques that Ohio U students and Athenians should know.

Athens First Settlement - 1791
The Athens First Settlement historical marker is on the city building located at 8 E. Washington St. The marker was put up in celebration of the Athens Bicentennial Celebration in 1997 and mentions each milestone the City of Athens has hit since its founding in 1791. 

Athens Veterans Memorial

The Athens Veterans Memorial is located on the gates of the West State Street Cemetery. It memorializes Athens natives who passed away serving their country in the Civil War, Revolutionary War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, War of 1812, Mexican War and the Spanish-American War.

The Berry

“The Berry'' historical placemark is located in front of HangOverEasy. The marker commemorates The Berry Hotel, which stood on Court Street from 1892 to 1972. The hotel was owned by Edward Cornelius and Martha Jane Berry until 1923. When owned by the Berrys, the hotel was one of the most modern hotels in the country and is acknowledged as the first hotel to put Bibles in each hotel room. The marker was dedicated in May 2004 by the Multicultural Genealogical Center and Ohio University.

Cutler Botanic Gardens

In 1823, the Ohio University Board of Trustees created a 300 acre botanical garden in memory of Ohio University’s co-founder the Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler. Although the garden is no longer standing, Cutler and his son Judge Ephraim Cutler are memorialized with the plaque located by the intersection between Richland Avenue and South Shafer Street. The historical marker was dedicated in 1973 under a tree planted by William O’Neill, former Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. 

Booker T. Washington

This historical marker notes the marriage of American civil rights icon Booker T. Washington’s marriage to Athenian Olivia A. Davidson in August 1886. Washington and Davidson married at the home of Davidson’s sister Mary at 193 W. Washington St. The marker stands in front of the former Davidson home and was dedicated in 2008 by the Athens County Historical Society and Museum.

Eliza Davidson Memorial

This historical marker celebrates the life of Eliza Davison, also known as Eliza Davidson, a prominent Athenian. According to an article by The Athens NEWS, Davison worked for Union Gen. George A. Custer as a cook and then later as a domestic servant. Her memorial credits her with saving the lives of eight soldiers during her time as a cook. The memorial was dedicated in 1934 by the schoolchildren and citizens of Athens County and is located in the West State Street Cemetery. 

Lynching of Christopher Davis

In November 1881, Christopher Davis, a Black man from Albany, was lynched by at least 30 white men near the location of this marker. Davis, a 24-year-old man, was living near Albany with his wife and children, when he was accused of assaulting a white woman who lived nearby. No member of the mob was ever charged with Davis’s murder. Davis was originally buried in the West State Street Cemetery, but his body was exhumed without his family’s permission and taken to the Starling Medical College. The historical marker is located outside Baker University Center. It was erected in 2020 by the Equal Justice Initiative and Christopher Davis Remembrance Project. 

Ohio University Distinguished Visitors

These markers are dedicated by Ohio University to remember the important figures who have visited Ohio U’s campus. Some notable visitors are: Susan B. Anthony, former President William Howard Taft, former President Theodore Roosevelt, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., astronaut and Senator John Glenn and former President Jimmy Carter.

The Silas Bingham House

Built in 1805, the Silas Bingham House is the oldest house in Athens. Notably, it has been recognized as Athens County’s first courthouse. It was the residence of Ohio University President R.G. Wilson and John Templeton, the first Black graduate of Ohio University who lived with Wilson and his family. It was dedicated in July 1879 and is located by the intersection of Richland Avenue and South Shafer Street. 

Information from Historical Marker Database.