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

Battle of Athens

August 1 - 2, 1946

Photographed by Judith Barber, November 13, 2011

1. Battle of Athens Marker

Inscription. The Battle of Athens was an armed revolt that gained national attention. Attempting to end the control of an entrenched political machine, World War II veterans used force to ensure that on the day of local elections in 1946 every vote “was counted as cast.” After local authorities locked themselves and the ballot boxes in the jail, veterans suspicious of foul play gathered weapons and ammunition and exchanged fire from this hill upon the jail, which once stood across the street. The besieged authorities surrendered. At a meeting in the courthouse, an interim government was set up, followed by the election of the veterans’ slate.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2A 102.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 35° 26.656′ N, 84° 35.652′ W. Marker is in Athens, Tennessee, in McMinn County. It is at the intersection of North White Street and East College Street, on the left when traveling south on North White Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 216 N White St, Athens TN 37303, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this 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

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are within walking distance of this marker: Samuel Cleage (within shouting distance of this marker); Tennessee Wesleyan College (within shouting distance of this marker); McMinn County Jail (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire Department (within shouting distance of this marker); Athens Outlet Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Daily Post-Athenian (about 300 feet away); WLAR (about 400 feet away); African American Barbers in Athens (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Athens.

Also see . . . Battle of Athens (1946). Wikipedia (Submitted on November 16, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Photographed by Judith Barber, November 13, 2011

2. Battle of Athens Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 27, 2017

3. Battle of Athens Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 27, 2017

4. Battle of Athens Marker

Battle of Athens Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, August 27, 2017

5. Battle of Athens Mural

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2011, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 3,718 times since then and 246 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 12, 2026. 2. submitted on November 16, 2011, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 4, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.