Athenia Plantation (1837)

Athenia Plantation was built in 1837 by William Lumpkin, who arrived in Marshall County in 1837 with his wife, children, grandchildren, 60 slaves, 32 horses and 50 cattle.

William Lumpkin was the brother of an early Governor of Georgia, and the Lumpkins had come from Georgia to start a new life. Athenia was named after the town of Athens, Georgia, and became one of the greatest plantations of Marshall County. William Lumpkin died in 1840, and is buried- with many of his family- in the nearby Lumpkin Cemetery.

Athenia began as a two-story oak cabin, but many additions were constructed over the years. Eventually, the home had seven bedrooms, a front and back parlor, a dining room, office, and detached kitchen. Near the house was an orchard, a formal garden and a vegetable garden. South of the main house was the slave quarters, and east of the house was the cow and horse pastures and the corn, sorghum and cotton fields.

The Plantation was abandoned long ago. Portions of the house were visible as late as the 1980s, but nothing remains of the house now. The main road, which came into the grounds from the east, is still preserved, surrounded by woods, and the old pastures and fields are still clear and free of trees.

The architectural drawing is by the late Hugh H. Rather, Jr., who was a local historian and architect, and his family still retains the copyright.

Thanks to Bobby Mitchell for accompanying me on this trip, and Barry Thomas for granting access to the site.