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.
Battle of Athens. August 1 - 2, 1946. 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.
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. Marker 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance
Also see . . . Battle of Athens (1946). Wikipedia (Submitted on November 16, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, August 27, 2017
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 Mural
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2011, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 2,145 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on November 16, 2011, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 4, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
