Today I was driving through Athens, Georgia when I can across a strange but beautiful sight. It was…read morean old wooden railroad trestle that seemed to suddenly and abruptly stop in a field along Poplar Street. Being the curious soul that I am, I stopped to take a few pictures and marked my location on my GPS so I could use it to create a yelp page later if I found the trestle to be of any historic significance. My hunch was right, it is indeed significant. I discovered this trestle was once part of the CSX railroad system that connected Athens to Atlanta and the world. CSX offered the old decaying rail system to the city, but city officials declined and in the year 2000, CSX began demolition of the old trestle. However, the mayor underestimated just how important this piece of history was not only to Athens, but the music world as well. You see, the 1980's band R.E.M. used this particular trestle as the cover photo for their 1983 album titled Murmur. It was Rolling Stones "Album of the Year". The band was from Athens, GA and the album cover as well as the trestle itself had become iconic to the bands fans around the world. Protests over the demolition of the trestle broke out and forced the city to negotiate with CSX to halt demolition of the structure. Unfortunately much of the trestle had already been destroyed, but thankfully a major portion of it was saved. I hear the city has plans to use it as a tourist attraction, but in the meantime it stands untouched since demolition halted. Still, it is a gorgeous site that presents unique and rustic photo opportunities. You can still see the concrete base for the trestle that once went over Poplar Street. Use the entrance to the North Oconee River Greenway Trail just behind Mama's Boy restaurant (on the corner of Oak and Poplar) to view the remaining concrete pillars where the railroad continued across the Oconee River. R.E.M album cover (front) - http://sleevage.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/5561106c734c1008ba3262ce25a4d915.jpg R.E.M album cover (rear) - http://www.caratulas.com/caratulas/R/rem/rem-murmur-Trasera.jpg R.E.M full album - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8FbkyyuqG0 FINAL THOUGHTS I had a good feeling this structure had to be of some significance and I'm so glad I stopped to investigate. If you are fond of old bridges like I am, Athens has a treasure trove of 1800's covered bridges within a 30 minute drive of this location. It would make a great lazy Sunday afternoon drive! Be sure to bring your camera :-) Covered Bridges within 1/2 hour to 45 minute drive: Elder's Mill Watson Mill Bridge Cromer's Mill Covered Bridge Howard's Covered Bridge Enjoy!

Do you like antiques? Do you have a free Saturday afternoon? If you do, this is the place you want…read moreto go. There are multiple sellers, each with their own booth and collections. I saw SO MUCH stuff inwanted, but because im moving soon, i couldnt buy anything! And the resteooms are clean! Thats always a plus!

I had a thoroughly enjoyable visit to the historic city of Athens, beginning with a walk through…read moreits charming downtown and continuing onto the quiet, tree-lined University of Georgia campus. Since it was a weekend with no classes in session or Bulldogs game underway, parking was easy and the coffee shops and restaurants were pleasantly uncrowded. Athens was founded in the early 1800s at Cedar Shoals, where an old Cherokee trail crossed the Oconee River. Incorporated in 1806 just five years after the University of Georgia opened nearby, the city was named after the classical Greek center of learning. It quickly grew into Georgia's cultural and intellectual heart, with a thriving antebellum economy built on cotton, brickmaking, and textiles. Though the Civil War brought hardship, Athens was spared destruction during Sherman's march and rebounded quickly during Reconstruction. The City Hall building was completed in 1904 and is a blend of Second Empire and Neoclassical styles. Built from Lexington granite and buff brick, it originally housed an auditorium, armory, and offices for city leaders and the Chamber of Commerce. The building has seen several renovations, including a major restoration of its clock tower in 2006-2007. Today, it remains a working seat of government, home to the mayor's office and a second-floor chamber for public meetings. [Review 1444 of 2025 - 866 in Georgia - 24996 overall]

I really appreciated the conscience of the kiosk. Also the. We star card is excellent to secure the…read morevote. All employees of the department of driver services were professional and courtesy while having to deal with this administrations I call them " hunger pains.

This place rocks!!! You've come to the right place if you're looking to:…read more1. Meet new people and start fun conversations. 2. Put your driving skilz to the test. 3. Get your photo taken - for FREE! I met my life long friends Fabian, Thor, and Reba here. After we left, we all got matching "DOT" tattoos to commemorate the day we all met. Just like me, they had camped out the night before to make sure we they got a good spot in line. Trust me - you don't want to get there late and take a chance of not seeing all the greats. Martha "Mugshot" Matheny snaps your photo. Carl "The Car Guy" quizzes your knowledge of road law. Rumor has it he was an extra in 'Mad Max'. Don't be fooled - you don't have to come to a full stop at a "yield" sign. Then there's "Road Rage" Randy. He will take you out on the road for your drivers test. Don't get him upset! The best though is "Blind" Betty. She does the eye exam and is quite the looker!!! She's really is a sight for sore eyes! Si! Se Habla espanol - but you're out of luck if you only speak German. In the Summer the AC is always cranked down, but be sure they keep the door closed so as not to let any air out. Don't forget your gear! Bring a sweater and rain jacket. Yes - a towel may be wise to pack as well. I was hoping there would be food trucks and entertainment for the kids, but you will have to make do with a vending machine. No drip or French press coffee. I heard rumors of a Starbucks going in 2020!! I'll be honest, this place is such a good time, that I'll throw my license out in the trash the day I receive it in the mail- just so I have an excuse to go back again!! See ya next year DOT crew! Your boy! C.J. "DOT CAMP 2019"

The Herty Field historical marker in Athens offers a compact but compelling glimpse into the early…read moredays of collegiate football and the legacy of Dr. Charles Herty. Rather than focusing on the field itself, the marker excels at contextualizing the cultural and academic forces that shaped athletics in the Deep South. The marker reads, "This marker overlooks the site of the first intercollegiate football game played in the state of Georgia and one of the first to be played in the deep south. On January 30, 1892 Georgia defeated Mercer College 50 to 0 on the stubbly grounds that served as an athletic field. Several hundred spectators watched from the sidelines, some of them spilling out on the playing ground. Students living in New College close by the field had a splendid view of the action from their dormitory windows. "Georgia played all its home games on this field until 1911 when a new field was constructed off Lumpkin Street. The old grounds were thereafter used for informal intramural games and as a drill field for the R.O.T.C. trainees. "The original field, later converted into a parking lot, was named in honor of Dr. Charles H. Herty, professor of chemistry at the University and sports enthusiast. He introduced football to the college boys and was unofficial coach and trainer of the early teams. Herty later earned fame as a scientist in the development of the turpentine and pine pulpwood industry." This is marker number 029-17. It was erected in 1991 by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. [Review 1380 of 2025 - 862 in Georgia - 24932 overall]

There is a dress code in order to eat here (orange or blue jumpsuit) however a white jumpsuit is…read morepreffered. The food was awful (especially the breakfast shank), the staff were a**holes and the people at our table kept trying to steal my wife's food. Also the waiter serving our trays kept staring at me while licking his lips and a guy seated next to our table was stabbed to death. I left a honeybun as a tip, but all in all it was a bad experience.

Echoing the previous review, the food wasn't stellar, but the ambience is bold and a refreshing…read moretake on fine dining. In fact, some have begun to call it "crime dining". These chefs are breaking all the rules and redefining the convict-ional dining experience. I expect this place to break-out and become a well-known institution in the Athens food scene.

A pleasant experience to view a historical marker in the South that is only tangentially about…read moreCivil War. This one points out the first time that an important medical procedure was done and that's a good thing. The marker is located near the county courthouse and points the way to the birthsite of the famous doctor. The marker has the same text on both sides. It reads, "Dr. Crawford W. Long who first used ether as an anesthetic, in a surgical operation at Jefferson, Ga., March 30, 1842, was born in a house that stands about 1 block from here. Dr. Long, born Nov. 1, 1815, was barely 27 when he performed the famous operation on James Venable to remove a neck tumor. He attended Franklin College (U. of Ga.) obtaining his M.A. at 19. He roomed with "Little Alec" Stephens, future Vice President of the Confederacy. He received his M.D. at University of Pennsylvania in 1839 and moved to Jefferson in 1841. He died June 16, 1878 and is buried in Athens." Dr. Crawford Long studied briefly at Transylvania College in Kentucky before transferring to the University of Pennsylvania, where he was exposed to cutting-edge surgical techniques of the time. He was inspired to experiment with ether after observing its recreational use during student gatherings, where participants seemed impervious to pain. Long didn't publish his findings until 1849, several years after his first ether-assisted surgery, which led to disputes over who first discovered anesthesia. This is marker number 097-2 and it was erected in 1955 by the Georgia Historical Commission. [Review 1375 of 2025 - 859 in Georgia - 24927 overall]

This marker is located a stone's throw from the county courthouse and gives some context as to the…read moreorigin of the county and how it came to be. It has the same text on both sides. It reads, "This County, created by Act of the Legislature December 5, 1811, is named for James Madison, Virginia Democrat, fourth President of the United States, 1809-'17. The site for Danielsville was given by Gen. Allen Daniel of Revolutionary fame. In this town was born Dr. Crawford W. Long who first used ether in a surgical operation (1842). Among the first County Officers were: Sheriff Nathan Williford, Clerk of Superior Court James Long, Clerk of Inferior Court Samuel Williford, Tax Receiver Britton Sanders Jr., Tax Collector James Ware Jr., Coroner William Hodge and Surveyor Edward Ware Jr." In the early 19th century, the region was deeply influenced by the rise of cotton as a dominant crop. The fertile Piedmont soil and proximity to trade routes made Madison County part of Georgia's expanding cotton belt, with small yeoman farms gradually giving way to larger plantations. This agricultural boom helped shape the county's economy and social structure well into the Civil War era. Though railroads didn't run directly through the county, nearby lines helped connect its farms to broader markets. Danielsville remained a modest civic center, and the county's early schools and churches played key roles in community life, especially in African American neighborhoods during and after Reconstruction. The boll weevil infestation in the early 20th century forced a shift from cotton to poultry, dairy, and timber, leading to more diversified and cooperative farming. Madison County's quiet civic contributions and preservation efforts reflect a legacy of resilience, modesty, and deep-rooted community pride. This is marker number 097-1 and it was erected in 1954 by the Georgia Historical Commission. [Review 1374 of 2025 - 858 in Georgia - 24926 overall]