The Boulevard Historic District of Athens, Georgia

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Written by Hank Bailey, from Athens, Georgia on Mar 25, 2009

The Boulevard Historic District of Athens Georgia is an area of town just as unique as “Five Points.” According to the Boulevard Neighborhood Association, The Boulevard Historic District is the area roughly bound on the south by Prince Avenue, on the west by Hiawassee Street, on the north by the Seaboard Coastline Railroad (now CSX), on the east by Pulaski Street.

This “Streetcar Suburb” as they call it, is named for Boulevard, its broadest street, which runs all the way through the 150 acre district. Boulevard is laid out in a grid pattern on slightly rolling terrain, which is typical for the area, behind Antebellum mansions on the north side of Prince Avenue. This historic district consists of homes built in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s and has a rich architectural influence of Greek Revival, Queen Anne, and Neoclassical architecture. The American Bungalow with its’ Craftsman style is also a prevalent site.

Most of the land in this historic district originally was a part of the Antebellum mansions that line Prince Avenue. When Athens acquired a streetcar service in the later 1800s Athenians were now able to enjoy suburban living for the first time, and the Boulevard District was created.

In previous posts I have mentioned Walkscore.com. What interests me, apart from the intensely detailed history of this area, is the fact that it has one of the best “Walk Scores” of any subdivision in the Greater Athens area due to the high quantity of grocery stores, coffee shops, dining, movie theaters, libraries, and retail establishments within walking distance. It scored a 75 out of a possible 100 which would place the Boulevard Historic District of Athens above Seattle, Portland, Baltimore, and Denver just to name a few!

If you are looking to relocate to Athens Georgia as you change direction in life, take a look at this area. It’s not only a great place to live, it is also a nice place to take a stroll if you enjoy gazing up at oaks that were there during the days of street cars and architecture that would have made Frank Lloyd Wright proud.

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