Georgia Natural Wonder #100 – Athens / Clarke County (Part 5) - Wrap Up. 1,251

[Top Row Dawg]

Georgia Natural Wonder #100 – Athens – Clarke County (Part 5) - Wrap Up

We’ve given our old section of the University and its old town of Athens a pretty good going over. We exploded on the Music Natural Wonder of Athens yesterday, we are going to try and wrap this up today. We haven’t even touched on the history of the football program, our main love for the HOTD. We will be here all year on GNW #100 if we tangent that way, Mr. Historian here.





I will do a small tangent on the general (and natural) history of the stadium as we started at Herty Field.


Herty Field today.


Herty Field back when.


Way back when.



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.



Actual games at Herty Field.




More like Rugby around Goal Line.


Clemson 1906.

Dr. Steadman Vincent Sanford, arrived at the University of Georgia as an English instructor in 1903. He later became the faculty representative to the athletics committee and would eventually become president of the University and Chancellor of the entire University System of Georgia. In 1911, he moved the university's football venue from its first location, Herty Field, to a location at the center of campus which was named Sanford Field in his honor. It had wooden bleachers.







This valley formed by Tanyard Creek is site of many great moments in University of Georgia athletic history. In 1911, a football/baseball facility with wooden grandstands, Sanford Field, was built here. The Bulldog football team played in it until Sanford Stadium opened in 1929. The baseball team played here until 1943. That year, the U.S. Navy constructed a pre-flight instruction facility on this site. The building was named Stegeman Hall to honor Herman James Stegeman, who coached football, basketball, baseball, and track, and was athletic director (1923-27) and dean of men (1931-39). His 1919 baseball and 1920 football teams won their respective Southern Conference championships. Stegeman Hall houses the swimming team, which won men's Southeastern Conference titles in 1951, '52 and '55. Known as one of the "fastest pools in the South," the facility hosted the 1956 U.S. Olympic Trials and was home pool to 70 UGA All-American swimmers. Its functions having been transferred to the new Ramsey Student Center on UGA's East Campus, Stegeman Hall was removed in 1996 in preparation for the University's hosting of soccer, volleyball and rhythmic gymnastics in the Olympic Games.


Damn, only good internet image I can find of Stegeman Hall pool.

Stegeman pool was used as a training facility by the United States Navy in 1939 to prepare for World War II. They would climb up the ladders to the catwalks and jump off. The catwalks were supposed to simulate the height of the deck of the ship from the water. Some of the fastest meets were done in that pool. There were American records set; NCAA records were broken there in the 1970s. Billy Forrester — who was an Olympic bronze medalist —broke the American record in the 200 butterfly there.


Auburn Tiger Forester to right as US swept 200 Fly event 1976.

In those early years of football, Georgia played a series of controversial games against in-state rival Georgia Tech. Sanford Field was too small to accommodate the large crowds, forcing Georgia to travel to Tech's Grant Field in Atlanta every year. Sanford wanted Georgia to have a venue that would equal Tech's, and the "final straw" came in 1927 when UGA's undefeated (9–0) team traveled to Tech and lost 12–0. It was alleged that Tech watered the field all night to slow UGA's running backs. Afterwards, Sanford vowed to "build a stadium bigger than Tech", and play the game at Athens every other year.


Freshman were made to walk the culvert back in the day.

Near the existing Sanford Field was a low area between the Old Campus (to the north) and the Ag Campus (to the south) with a small creek (Tanyard Creek) running through it, creating a clearly preferable choice for the location of the new stadium. This natural valley containing Tanyard Creek would result in reduced costs, as stands could be built on the rising sides of the hill, while the creek could be enclosed in a concrete culvert, on top of which the field would be constructed. The architect for the stadium was TC Atwood of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where North Carolina's Kenan Memorial Stadium had just been completed with a similar design. The 30,000-seat stadium was built in large part with convict labor, as were many public works projects of that era. And by golly here is some you tube of that very first game with Yale, including Catfish catching a TD and running for another. The Yale band coming down College Avenue…..



Sanford Stadium's hedges have encircled the field since the stadium's first game against Yale in 1929. The idea to put hedges around the field came from the Business Manager of the UGA Athletic Department, Charlie Martin. Martin claimed to have received inspiration for the idea during a visit to the Rose Bowl, where he saw the hedge of roses in that stadium. Roses were not a suitable choice for the climate in Athens, so privet hedges were used instead. Six other SEC stadiums have copied UGA and now have hedges, making this feature no longer unique to UGA, but Georgia has the only one that completely surrounds the playing field.


Must have been baby hedges at first.



Sanford Stadium sits quietly in the 1930’s - before all the science buildings were built on South Campus.




You had to run through the hedges back in the day.





Am adding these wonderful vintage images of Sanford Stadium.







An "upper deck" of seats was added to each side of the stadium in 1967 without the need to demolish or alter any of the surrounding buildings.




Watchful eye of Vince Dooley.

In 1981, the east end zone stands were enclosed creating a "horseshoe-shaped" stadium and eliminating the free view enjoyed by the "Track People".


Track People had a long history.






Last game with track people, there goes Herschel against Georgia Tech.



In 1991, a portion of the west end zone stands was enclosed, creating a "partial bowl" around the lower level of Sanford Stadium. We dug up the hedges to host Soccer during the 1996 Olympics.



In 2003, another upper deck was added to the north side of the stadium. Now they have renovated the west side of the stadium, relocating the locker room, from the east side to the west side. But damn it I wasn’t supposed to go on a UGA football tangent, now here it is an hour later.



Back to Athens Clarke County

Industrial development after World War II (1941-45) included the building of plants to process poultry and timber.


Cocky

Urban sprawl and urban renewal, beginning in the early 1960s, added to the area's pool of labor and consumers. UGA has played a major role in attracting new residents to Athens, shifting the economy in recent times to one based on educational, health, and social services. UGA, Athens Regional Medical Center, and St. Mary's Hospital are major employers in the area.


Uga

The 20th century continued the positive evolution of Athens, witnessing the growth of The University of Georgia into an internationally recognized educational and research institution. During the final quarter of the century, historical preservation became a great priority. The citizens of Athens value the stunning architectural heritage of the city, and irreplaceable treasures of the past continue to be restored to their original glory. Fifty-two sites in Clarke County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.



The county also supports Athens Technical College, founded in 1958.



Businesses




Downtown Athens College Avenue

Athens is home to a growing number of young technology companies including

Docebo,



Roundsphere,



And Cogent Education.



The city is also home to more established technology companies such as Partner Software,



Peachtree Medical Billing,

and Digital Insight.



Network Translations, Inc. developed here. It produced the PIX firewall which was later purchased by Cisco Systems.



Athens is home to several pharmaceutical manufacturing and biotechnology companies such as Merial



and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



The University of Georgia also hosts its own biotechnology research centers mostly from the lower east side of town bordering Oconee County.



Independent publisher Hill Street Press is headquartered here. Authors with previous, or current, residence in the city include Pulitzer Prize winners Deborah Blum



and Edward Larson,



as well as Judith Ortiz Cofer,



Reginald McKnight



and Coleman Barks.



Tourism

Each spring, there are bicycle races collectively known as the Twilight Series. One is the Athens Twilight Criterium.



Speaking of bikes, the Breaking Away TV series was filmed in Athens. 8 whole episodes.



Arts and culture

The Georgia Museum of Art at the University of Georgia has been, since 1982, the official state art museum. The permanent collection consists of American paintings, primarily 19th- and 20th-century; American, European and Asian works on paper; the Samuel H. Kress Study Collection of Italian Renaissance paintings; and growing collections of southern decorative arts and Asian art.


Long way from the days at Peabody.

From the Lamar Dodd School of Art Galleries, to the UGA Performing Arts Center, the Athens, Georgia has a niche for everyone. A tour at the Lamar Dodd School of Art will have you experiencing a new appreciation for artistic talent of your peers. From molded sculptures to impressive art collections, you will leave feeling impressed.





The Performing Arts center will provide music for universal tastes.



Across from UGA’s campus puts the icing on the cake as one night at the Classic Center provides are your theatrical needs This 2,053-seat grand showplace hosts touring Broadway productions, headliner entertainers, and is home to the Athens Symphony Orchestra. With so much talent in the room, you’ll be sure to leave Athens feeling a little inspired.



The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a 313-acre preserve set aside by the University of Georgia in 1968 for the study and enjoyment of plants and nature. Located three miles south of campus, it is a living laboratory serving educational, research, recreational, and public service roles for the University of Georgia and the citizens. The garden contains a number of specialized theme gardens and collections, over five miles of nature trails, and four major facilities including a tropical conservatory. This may be added to GNW list down the road.



Many notable people are associated with Clarke County, including

Janie Porter Barrett, social welfare activist and founder of the Virginia State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs;



William Few Jr., signer of the U.S. Constitution;



Henry W. Grady, editor of the Atlanta Constitution and exponent of the "New South";



African American composer Hall Johnson;



Crawford Long, the discoverer of anesthesia;


Long was a knockout.

Dean Rusk, U.S. secretary of state;



The other day, I mentioned several Athens points of interest that I was going to overlook. So for a TRD addendum, I mention that list again so I can at least mention those items, perhaps find a relevant image.

Charlie Williams Pinecrest - All good things must come to an end.



Swamp Guinea - All is not lost, there is still the main restaurant on Lake Hartwell in Hartwell Georgia.



Sons of Italy reading they were moved back in 2007, they still around somewhere?

Steverino's Right next to Son's - great two places to eat when we came over for basketball games. My college roommate delivered for Steverino's.

Old Varsity downtown Reaching back deep for this one. Chili Cheese Slaw Dog right by the arch.



Vince Dooley -House Garden I am going to reach out to Coach Dooley somehow to see if I can arrange a meeting and photo shoot this spring.



Kudzu Hill


Vs. Tech


TRD on the hill years ago when we beat NC State in the super regional.

Track People Somebody's son will appreciate this mention.



Bear Hollow Park and Zoo This small wildlife trail is home to black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, owls, and many other species of wild, free-living animals.



Tallassee Shoals



Sandy Creek



South campus East campus



The campus keeps getting bigger and bigger every year.



Bill Hartman



Billy Henderson



Dan MaGill



NCAA Tennis Hall Of Fame



Presidential Intersection The intersection of Broad and Milledge right by the Varsity. One direction on Broad heads to George Washington Georgia, another goes to James Monroe Georgia. Milledge Avenue goes to Thomas Jefferson Georgia  or James Madison Georgia. Right down Broad Street from the Gresham Disco.



Old covered bridge location (St. Mtn now)



Culture coexists with the university students in creating an art scene, music scene and intellectual environment. The city has music venues, restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that cater to its creative climate.



Today, Athens-Clarke County, the commercial, medical, professional, and educational hub of northeast Georgia. Athens is the sixth-largest city in Georgia, and the principal city of the Athens metropolitan area, which had a 2017 estimated population of 209,271, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The University remains a great influence on lifestyle, tempo, and outlook for the community, maintaining a crucial link with tradition while assisting in Athens' propulsion into the 21st century.



During the 19th and 20th centuries the University steadily grew, adding students and facilities as the years passed. Today, The University of Georgia is ranked among the nation's top research institutions and boasts America's 19th largest library. The University has grown to include many diverse programs of study, including veterinary medicine, bio-sciences, pharmacy, business, journalism, education, environmental design, and one of the country's leading schools of law. About 32,000 students attend the University of Georgia, fulfilling its motto: et docere et rerum exquirere causas, which means "to teach and to inquire into the nature of things."




GNW gals for the day.