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The City Hall in Athens, Georgia was not completed until 1904, but a relic located on the grounds is Civil War related and perhaps one of the most unusual Civil War artifacts, preserved for 157 years and counting.
The Athens-Clarke County City Hall was built by L.F. Goodrich of Augusta, architect, and J.W. Barnett, contractor. Constructed of solid Lexington granite on the first floor and light buff brick on the upper floors, the building features oolitic limestone trimmings and a large clock tower. The clock tower is constructed of wood, topped by a copper cupola. Perched atop the four-faced clock and the dome is a huge eagle, with an eight-foot wing span. The eagle was originally intended to act as a weather vane, but due to its weight, it moves slowly. The clock was handmade, and originally operated by counterweights. Prior to being electrified in 1943, the custodian climbed five flights of stairs to wind it once a week.
Here's another picture that better shows the architecture of the building.
And, as promised, here's the Civil War related artifact -
THE ATHENS DOUBLE BARRELED CANNON - the only one of its kind and among the most unusual relics ever to be preserved from the Civil War. Designed by John Gilleland of Athens and built at the local foundry in 1863, the idea was that two cannon balls, connected by a chain, would be fired at once, and the whirling missile would cut down enemy soldiers in its path. The problem was, there was no way to regulate the fire to ensure both barrels would fire at the exact same instant. The result was a dismal failure but the cannon was preserved and today, sits silently, pointing North, on the grounds of City Hall in Athens, GA.
We are traveling this week, so be on the lookout for more threads from the places we visit.
The Athens-Clarke County City Hall was built by L.F. Goodrich of Augusta, architect, and J.W. Barnett, contractor. Constructed of solid Lexington granite on the first floor and light buff brick on the upper floors, the building features oolitic limestone trimmings and a large clock tower. The clock tower is constructed of wood, topped by a copper cupola. Perched atop the four-faced clock and the dome is a huge eagle, with an eight-foot wing span. The eagle was originally intended to act as a weather vane, but due to its weight, it moves slowly. The clock was handmade, and originally operated by counterweights. Prior to being electrified in 1943, the custodian climbed five flights of stairs to wind it once a week.
Here's another picture that better shows the architecture of the building.
And, as promised, here's the Civil War related artifact -
THE ATHENS DOUBLE BARRELED CANNON - the only one of its kind and among the most unusual relics ever to be preserved from the Civil War. Designed by John Gilleland of Athens and built at the local foundry in 1863, the idea was that two cannon balls, connected by a chain, would be fired at once, and the whirling missile would cut down enemy soldiers in its path. The problem was, there was no way to regulate the fire to ensure both barrels would fire at the exact same instant. The result was a dismal failure but the cannon was preserved and today, sits silently, pointing North, on the grounds of City Hall in Athens, GA.
We are traveling this week, so be on the lookout for more threads from the places we visit.
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