Athens in McMinn County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Planters Bank

130 E. Washington Ave.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 17, 2021

1. Planters Bank Marker

Inscription.
In 1836 contractors Samuel Cleage and Thomas Crutchfield were engaged to construct the Planters Bank on this site. Many skilled craftsmen, including African-American slaves, worked for them. Cleage's son David later served as cashier. When the bank closed c. 1865, David Cleage bought the house and lived there until his death. It was occupied by the family until his widowed son-in-law C.A. Beard purchased the house in 1916.

In 1950-52 the house was taken down and moved to Woodward Avenue. The current building was built for J.C. Penney which opened in 1956.

Erected by Main Street Athens Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 35° 26.597′ N, 84° 35.542′ W. Marker is in Athens, Tennessee, in McMinn County. It is on East Washington Avenue (Tennessee Route 39) just west of Long Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 E Washington Ave, Athens TN 37303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this

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marker is in East Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Nankivell-Walthall Building (a few steps from this marker); GI Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); Cher-O-Kee Photofinishers (within shouting distance of this marker); Foster-Rowan House (within shouting distance of this marker); McGaughey Corner (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); McKeldin Block (within shouting distance of this marker); From Furs to Factories (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, July 17, 2021

2. Planters Bank Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 356 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 23, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.