Limestone County Archives

10/20/2026

The state stocked Limestone County with deer in the early 1960s, starting with 25 turned loose in the northwest corner of the county.

Twenty years on, in January 1984, Jerry Callahan shot a 19-point buck from a tree stand near his home north of Cross Key. "He didn't weigh all that much, but his rack was tremendous," he told the paper. The rack ran 22¾ inches wide with four points growing downward on each side, and the state conservation officer for the county called it the biggest deer he knew of killed in Limestone County.

The buck's ear was torn in two spots, and the officer thought it might be one of the original 25. That would've made it about twenty years old, a very unusual age for a deer.

That rack made the Alabama Whitetail Record Book in 1988, and it held the county record until December 1996, when an Athens hunter's 17-pointer outscored it. That same month a 240-pound 10-pointer from the Elkmont woods set a county record of its own.

Follow the story — 5 articles from the archive:
https://askathens.org/story/376844,821547,948846,1242357,1244760

A note on accuracy: this post was researched from old newspaper articles with help from AI. The papers sometimes got things wrong, and AI can too, so check the original articles.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

Shirley Stone was 12 when she first saw the Forks of Cypress, the columned mansion north of Florence, and she started drawing plans for a copy of it right then.

She spent more than twenty years collecting rugs and antiques for a house that didn't exist yet. In 1966 lightning struck the Forks of Cypress, and the fire left 23 of its 24 columns standing. By 1972 she and her husband, Dr. John Waddell Jr., had their own version finished on New Cut Road, on a rise with the Elk River curving behind it. She named it Athena, because "I love Athens so much."

It had 16 columns instead of 24, because a big screened-in back porch made more sense for 20th century living. Inside was a 16-foot banquet table from about 1790 that had seated 22, and the tea set Shirley played with as a girl sat in the breakfast room. By 1998 the grown Waddell children were bringing their own kids home, and the parlors filled up with cradles and antique riding tractors.

Follow the story — 5 articles from the archive:
https://askathens.org/story/athena-brings-early-dreams-to-reality/c8DSc8DTdO49emcXfyaK

A note on accuracy: this post was researched from old newspaper articles with help from AI. The papers sometimes got things wrong, and AI can too, so check the original articles.

10/16/2026

The Pink Lady Walk 5K that raises funds for those battling breast cancer is taking place this Saturday from 8-11AM

Please plan accordingly for the race route as roads will be blocked as participants pass:

5K starts at 8AM at Big Spring Park from Market Street, turning right on Beaty Street, right on Pryor Street, left on Elkton, right on Boardwalk Main, right on Pryor Street, left on Shaw Street to Chandler Street, right on Forrest Street, right on Beaty Street and back to the park.

Expect traffic delays along the route Saturday morning.

10/16/2026

10/16: Fall Festival for Autism Families will have Marion and Washington St around the Square blocked from 2-8:30PM tomorrow 10/17 for bounce house and trunk or treat.

10/16/2026

10/16/2026

🌿 200 Years of History. One Special Community Celebration.

Step back in time this Saturday as Poplar Creek Cemetery celebrates its bicentennial! Join us for a meaningful morning honoring the people, stories, and history that have shaped our community for 200 years.

📅 Saturday, October 17
⏰ 10 AM–1 PM

Here’s what you can look forward to:
🎶 Live gospel music from Soul Purpose Gospel Group
🪦 Guided cemetery tours exploring the cemetery’s rich history
🇺🇸 Members of the Thomas H. Hobbs Camp #768 sharing stories of veterans laid to rest there, dressed in military uniforms and displaying historical relics
🥤 Refreshments and community fellowship

This is a wonderful opportunity to discover local history, honor those who came before us, and celebrate a landmark that has been part of our community for two centuries.

🌧️ In case of inclement weather, Poplar Creek Baptist Church, located next to the cemetery, will be open if needed.

Come celebrate 200 years of history with us! We hope to see you there.

10/16/2026

Gilbert Whitt grew a 420-pound pumpkin at his home just off Elkton Road, behind Whitt's Barbecue.

The Athens city councilman grew it from a seed of the world-record pumpkin, a 493½-pounder grown by Howard Dill in Nova Scotia. He planted it May 20 and picked it Oct. 10, and he gave it 400 to 1,000 gallons of water a day. Some days it put on 12 pounds, and Gilbert said you could hear the thing growing.

Police Chief Richard Faulk rode along when Gilbert hauled it in the back of a pickup to the world championship in Collins, N.Y. It came in fourth, good for a plaque and a check. Twenty years later he still figured it would've set the record if somebody hadn't cut the stalk early. Afterward they cut it up for 25 hogs, and it took them two weeks to eat it.

Follow the story — 5 articles from the archive:
https://askathens.org/story/king-of-the-pumpkin/dzkMdAjCdAALelZwfVDr

A note on accuracy: this post was researched from old newspaper articles with help from AI. The papers sometimes got things wrong, and AI can too, so check the original articles.