We frequently hear of "college towns," and images fill our minds -- of outdoor cafes, sporting and cultural events, and a progressive atmosphere open to new ideas. Even in such college towns, however, you'll probably notice the town making a concerted effort to maintain its own identity outside the walls of its revered college campus. It's not often you find a town that was created as a direct result of a university's establishment, and which has remained quite happy to be identified side by side with that university ever since.

Such is the case with Athens, Georgia, a city incorporated in 1806, five years after the doors at the University of Georgia opened. The city takes its name after Athens, Greece, a legendary place respected for its philosophers. The city's founders recognized that students throughout the world were studying the timeless works of Classical Greek philosophers -- just as they continue to do today -- and decided to name their city after the Greek capital. It meant Athens, Georgia, would have to fill some rather large shoes to live up to the reputation its name automatically stamped on the city, but this center of higher learning in the Deep South has accomplished just that. Athens is a fascinating combination of progressive thought and Deep Southern charm. Despite the comparisons to Classical Greece, the city never forgot where it was located in the United States -- at the heart of a place where politeness is near-sacred, and where chivalry and gentility live on in fine style.

Athens is located about 70 miles from Atlanta, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where two rivers meet. Almost immediately after its incorporation as a city, families of great wealth and stature established roots here, building sprawling estates. In addition to making a name for itself as Georgia's cultural center, Athens quickly diversified its industrial base. Everything from cotton and transportation to bricks and textiles grew and thrived here.

That industrial development has proven to be an excellent counterpart to the development of educated young people, who leave the University of Georgia qualified to walk into one of the region's many corporations. The university quickly established a reputation not only as one of Georgia's most elite universities, but also one of the most respected in the United States. Its research capabilities are revered throughout the country and in particular, the southern states. Athens has grown to a city of approximately 125,000 residents, and alongside its educational and industrial development has come another driving force: the restoration of history. Local organizations have worked hard to maintain early 19th century structures -- including many of the great homes owned by the town's earliest settlers -- in peak condition. Luckily, the Civil War was kind to Athens compared with other Georgian cities. Athens didn't suffer the same destruction from the war as the state's other regions, which enabled its historic buildings to be maintained and enjoyed by visitors today.

A visit to Athens, then, will inevitably include a tour of local history. A few recommended stops on a history buff's tour of Athens are the double-barreled cannon located at Athens City Hall. This cannon was, unfortunately, ahead of its time during the Civil War. Its creators envisioned a weapon that would project two cannonballs simultaneously, and connected with a long chain. A test run proved that this idea wasn't going to work -- at least not in the mid-1800s. Soldiers lacked the technology to turn the concept into reality.

For a pleasant, tree-lined tour of historic residential Athens, head to the Five Points area. These restored homes, all of them dating to the 1920s and '30s, have been lovingly preserved. Only some of them continue to serve as homes; the rest have been converted into quaint shops, restaurants and commercial offices. Milledge Avenue is another must. The street is lined with antebellum homes of all architectural styles. Downtown Athens is an excellent spot for a walking tour, as well. The city's downtown sector is small enough for walkers to experience many of its highlights without setting foot in a car. You'll find numerous shops, eclectic cafes and restaurants throughout your tour. The Athens Welcome Center is a must for any visitor. The center is housed within the country's oldest residence, built circa 1820. The federal-style Church-Waddel-Brumby House contains a museum and runs a local tourism company, Classic City Tours, which provides visitors a thorough introduction to this historic destination.

Other historic highlights in Athens include the Founders Memorial Garden at the University of Georgia. A tribute to the United States' first garden club, the Ladies' Garden Club of Athens, Founders Memorial Garden is adjacent to a restored residence dating from the mid-1800s. You'll also want to pay a visit to the Georgia Museum of Art, which contains a permanent collection of more than 8,000 works of art. Morton Theatre is one of the country's first vaudeville theaters. It was fully restored in 1993 and continues to serve as a tribute to its builder, Pink Morton, as well as his famous guests -- Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, to name just two. And for a truly unique experience, visit "The Tree That Owns Itself." This offbeat tree, featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!," was claimed by University of Georgia Professor Col. William Jackson. Jackson declared that this oak tree owned itself and all land surrounding it within an 8-foot radius. Nobody argued with the odd declaration, and the site became a favorite of residents and visitors. In 1942, Jackson's great oak tree died, but it was soon replaced with an acorn that grew from the original tree.

Aside from the unique combination of old-fashioned Southern charm and progressive thinking inspired by its great university, Athens draws relocating families with its healthy, diverse economy and relatively reasonable home prices. Homes range from traditional (often more expensive) to modern, single-family to condominiums and duplexes. Some planned communities have been constructed and have proven to be an affordable and popular choice among relocators to the area. Prices for single-family homes range anywhere from below $100,000 (particularly attractive to students) to $250,000 and up. Depending upon where in the United States you're coming from, you're likely to be surprised at how much home you get for the money in Athens. And no matter where you settle in Athens, it's likely that you'll enjoy beautiful views from your window of the surrounding trees and hills.

It's hard to resist a city that has managed to maintain its proud past while looking ahead to the future. Athens is a self-sufficient place, equipped with promising minds, a multitude of industries and a healthy real estate market ... not to mention a charm that pleasantly reminds you that you're sitting in the heart of the Deep South.

For more Community Profiles, Click Here