Battle of Athens ~ Businesses in Athens - Athens, MO - Missouri Historical Markers on Waymarking.com

Marker Erected by: Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks.
County of Marker: Clark County.
Location of Marker: MO-CC, in site shelter, Athens.
Marker Text:

Businesses in Athens, circa 1853 - 1860
The list of businesses reveals that the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines and Minnesota Railroad Company had a station agent in Athens. On the eve of the Civil War, Athens was a steamboat port, grain, livestock and manufacturing center. Plans to connect Athens to the Keokuk, Fort Des Moines and Minnesota Railroad at Croton were interrupted by the Civil War.

Five churches: a Baptist, Presbyterian, Christian and two Methodist were located in pre-Civil War Athens. Among other businesses and organizations in 19th Century Athens were: Doud's Paint and Carriage Shop, Allan Faxon's Wagon Factory, Hancock's Shoe Repair, Ruben Hanson's Blacksmith Shop, a Masonic Lodge, Express Office, a large brick two-story public school and an academy under charge of a Mr. Slaughter and Mr. Burah. Athens was also served by a stagecoach line that ran from Alexandra, through Athens, to Bloomfield, Iowa.

The population of Athens was reported as over 500 in the mid-1850s and by most accounts the town continued to thrive and grow up to the Civil War. Pro-South sentiments during the war brought hardship in the aftermath. When Athens missed the last opportunity in 1886 to secure a railroad, the town was doomed. By 1887, many of the houses and businesses were moved to a new town of Revere. By 1900, Athens only had about 50 residents.

By the 1850s the town had expanded and commercial buildings were being constructed on top of the bluff at Athens. A list of businesses and organizations (circa 1853-1860) reveals the extent of the town's growth.

Wm.B. Armstrong, general store W. Armstrong, agent K. FT. D. and M. Railroad Armstron beef and pork packer Baker and Company, general store J. and W.B. Barwett, coopers David Bedell, carpenter and builder J.S. Bedell, justice of the peace John Bobbitt, carpenter and builder Mr. Beucler (or Benchler), stoves and sheet iron ware W. Burhage, painter E.F. Colton, flour and grist mill A.W. Calvert, cabinet maker and carpenter E.F. Colton, woolen manufacturer Wm. Deck, blacksmith Isaac, grocer Henry Fehlhaber, wagon maker R.P. Gray, coal dealer B. Gray, livery stable Issac P. Gray, grocer George Gray, general store G. Gray, brick yard George Gray, beef and pork packer George Gray, postmaster T.H. Hallan, physician and surgeon T.H. and J.R. Hallan, druggists P.F. Hamilton, cooper J.M. Miller, general store George Hiller, blacksmith

David Kennedy, general store Miss Kelly, milliner and dress maker J.T. McKnight, baker David McKee, assessor McGowen and Boler, blacksmith J.T. McNiglet, tailor Rev. D. Mason, Methodist Episcopal minister J.D. Nash, boot and shoe dealer G. Neuse, lumber yard Henry Ostrander, blacksmith James Perkins, justice of the peace W. Perkins, justice of the peace B. Robinson, ambrotype artist G. Slaughter, constable C.W. Stone, butcher R. Jackson, proprietor, St. Louis Hotel M. Scott, cabinet maker John Stafford, general store A. Starr, cooper D.M. Scott, physician R.P. Slaughter, school teacher James Slaughter, meat market Peter Turner, brick yard Rev. Umpston, Presbyterian minister Henry Wagner, boots and shoes Rev. Samuel Wood, Christian minister (Kahoka Gazette-Herald, June 20, 1930)