National Register Listing

Houston, George S., Historic District

a.k.a. See Also:Houston Memorial Library

Roughly 2nd Ave., Jefferson St., McClellan St., Marion St., Hobbs St., Madison St., Washington St., and Houston St., Athens, AL
Local significance of the district:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture
The city of Huntsville, Alabama played a key role in the United States space program during the Cold War. The Redstone Arsenal, located in Huntsville, was the site of the development of the first ballistic missile, and later became the center of the U.S. Army's missile and rocket programs.
Alabama random facts
Limestone County, Alabama has a rich and diverse history that spans several centuries. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Chickasaw and Creek tribes. European settlers began to arrive in the late 1700s, establishing small communities along the Tennessee River and in the fertile valleys of Limestone County.

During the early 19th century, the county experienced significant growth and development. The town of Athens was founded in 1818 and quickly became a center of commerce and education. Limestone County also played a crucial role in the early years of the state of Alabama, serving as the meeting place for the state's first constitutional convention in 1819.

One of the county's most notable historical events occurred during the Civil War. In 1862, the Battle of Athens took place near the town of Mooresville, resulting in a Union victory. Limestone County was occupied by Union forces for much of the war, and many of the county's buildings and infrastructure were destroyed.

In the years following the war, Limestone County began to rebuild and recover. Agriculture, specifically cotton farming, remained a prominent industry, and the county experienced modest growth. Today, Limestone County is a thriving community with a population of over 100,000 residents. Its rich history and vibrant culture are celebrated through local events, historic sites, and museums, providing a glimpse into the county's fascinating past.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Limestone County, Alabama.

  • 1818: Limestone County is established as one of the original counties in Alabama
  • 1821: The county seat is established in Athens
  • 1822: Athens becomes the site of the first state-owned university in Alabama, known as the Athens Female Academy
  • 1861-1865: Limestone County sends soldiers to fight in the American Civil War
  • 1874: The town of Lester is incorporated
  • 1893: The Alabama State Fair is held in Athens
  • 1936: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) begins the construction of Wheeler Dam on the Tennessee River
  • 1942: Army Airfield is established near Huntsville, bringing economic growth to Limestone County
  • 1960s-1970s: Limestone County experiences significant industrial growth with the establishment of aerospace and defense companies
  • 1990: The U.S. Census reports a population of over 60,000 in Limestone County
  • 2005: Toyota announces the selection of Huntsville as the site for a new automobile manufacturing plant
  • 2020: Limestone County continues to attract new industries and experiences further population growth