Athens in Limestone County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Limestone County Courthouse Bell

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020

1. Limestone County Courthouse Bell Marker

Inscription.

Limestone County Courthouse Bell. . For more than a century, this bell rang in the Limestone County Courthouse to notify residents of the time of day and of momentous events. The Courthouse and surrounding Square have been the heart of this community since Limestone County's founding fathers cleared the Square of trees and used the logs to build the first courthouse., . 1820, Courthouse I , First Limestone County Courthouse built on the Square. , . 1825, Courthouse II , County replaces log courthouse with first brick courthouse. Structural damage soon begins to show. , . 1835, Courthouse III , Four-year construction of second brick courthouse completed. , . 1864 , Courthouse burned during Union occupation. , . 1869 , Four-year reconstruction of Courthouse interior completed. , . 1871 , Bell installed in courthouse to chime the time, and to announce opening of court and major events. , . 1874 , Bell rung in celebration of the election of Athens' own George S. Houston as Alabama governor. , . 1919, Courthouse V , Three-year courthouse construction completed, with 1871 bell from antebellum courthouse installed in dome. , . 1974 , Bell replaced with electronic chime system during renovations. , . 2015 , Bell removed from courthouse attic during renovations. , . 2018 , Bell and original red oak support beam installed in bell house on the Limestone County Courthouse lawn., Athens Post, Oct. 27, 1871 , "Our Town Clock and Bell have come at last and will soon be put up and in ringing order, and then the gladdening peals will greet our ears reminding us of the antebellum days.", Dedicated in 2019, to honor the 100th anniversary of the Limestone County Courthouse, by the Limestone County Commission, Limestone County Historical Society, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association, and Frederick and Julie Martin. . This historical marker was erected in 2019 by Limestone County Commission; Limestone County Historical Society; Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association; and Frederick and Julie Martin. It is in Athens in Limestone County Alabama

For more than a century, this bell rang in the Limestone County Courthouse to notify residents of the time of day and of momentous events. The Courthouse and surrounding Square have been the heart of this community since Limestone County's founding fathers cleared the Square of trees and used the logs to build the first courthouse.

• 1820, Courthouse I — First Limestone County Courthouse built on the Square.
• 1825, Courthouse II — County replaces log courthouse with first brick courthouse. Structural damage soon begins to show.
• 1835, Courthouse III — Four-year construction of second brick courthouse completed.
• 1864 — Courthouse burned during Union occupation.
• 1869 — Four-year reconstruction of Courthouse interior completed.
• 1871 — Bell installed in courthouse to chime the time, and to announce opening of court and major events.
• 1874 — Bell rung in celebration of the election of Athens' own George S. Houston as Alabama governor.
• 1919, Courthouse V — Three-year courthouse construction completed, with 1871 bell from antebellum courthouse installed

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in dome.
• 1974 — Bell replaced with electronic chime system during renovations.
• 2015 — Bell removed from courthouse attic during renovations.
• 2018 — Bell and original red oak support beam installed in bell house on the Limestone County Courthouse lawn.

Athens Post, Oct. 27, 1871 — "Our Town Clock and Bell have come at last and will soon be put up and in ringing order, and then the gladdening peals will greet our ears reminding us of the antebellum days."

Dedicated in 2019, to honor the 100th anniversary of the Limestone County Courthouse, by the Limestone County Commission, Limestone County Historical Society, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association, and Frederick and Julie Martin.

Erected 2019 by Limestone County Commission; Limestone County Historical Society; Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association; and Frederick and Julie Martin.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 34° 48.183′ N, 86° 58.305′ W. Marker is in Athens, Alabama, in Limestone County. Marker is at the intersection of North Jefferson Street and Market Street West, on the right

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 2, 2020

2. Limestone County Courthouse Bell Marker

This marker is on the right.

when traveling north on North Jefferson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 W Washington St, Athens AL 35611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Judge David Lee Rosenau, Jr. (here, next to this marker); A County Older Than the State (a few steps from this marker); James Edwin Horton, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); North Side of Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Courthouse and Poor Farm Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); Limestone County Confederate Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Limestone County Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle Surrender Site (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.