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Topic: "Far West" Green

Topic: "Far West" Green

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The Optimist
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Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
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"Far West" Green

Posted: 3/31/2017 8:41:20 AM

http://www.thepostathens.com/article/2017/03/union-street...

I like this plan. It could really stretch campus down Union and further integrate that side of Athens with Uptown/the University. Moving the medical school off of West opens up more space for housing there as well which I think is a big positive.

I've seen crazier things happen.

rpbobcat
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Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 3/31/2017 8:50:46 AM

I read this article yesterday.

I was hoping they would have shown some type of artist's rendering to give an idea of exactly how this will look.

I agree about this opening up the West Green for housing again.

I just don't know if I'd want to live in a building that had the cadaver labs or storage.

The Optimist
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Location: CLE
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 3/31/2017 11:08:23 AM

rpbobcat wrote:

Agreed on the rendering. I immediately went to Google when I read it to see if I could find another article that showed something but didn't find anything.

I've seen crazier things happen.

TWT
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Location: Alexandria, VA
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 4/1/2017 10:07:36 AM

This is going to help gentrify the west side of Athens with the Medical School on Union Street. You may see a few hotels go in out there to support conferences and its walkable to campus. Phase I done in 2020 is not far away.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

DelBobcat
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Location: Cincinnati, OH
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 4/3/2017 10:05:29 AM

Uncle Wes wrote:

Just a semantics thing: I don't like the term gentrify here because of the negative connotations and the implication of displacement. I would prefer to say "revitalize."

I am very excited about this though. I always thought that it was weird how beautiful most of Athens is but that the west side always seemed to be lagging behind most of the town in the "charm" department. This won't necessarily make it more charming but it will make it more aesthetically pleasing and I'm excited for that.

BA OHIO 2010, BS OHIO 2010, MA Delaware 2012

BillyTheCat
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Member Since: 10/6/2012
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 4/3/2017 10:22:26 AM

I'd imagine that there will be a sizable piece of property open up for developers on that side of town in a year or two as well.

Ohio69
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 4/3/2017 12:57:50 PM

BillyTheCat wrote:

I'd imagine that there will be a sizable piece of property open up for developers on that side of town in a year or two as well.

Hmmm. Fairgrounds?

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,150

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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 4/3/2017 3:13:42 PM

Ohio69 wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

I'd imagine that there will be a sizable piece of property open up for developers on that side of town in a year or two as well.

Hmmm. Fairgrounds?

NO.

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

C Money
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 4/3/2017 4:24:03 PM

Ohio69 wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

I'd imagine that there will be a sizable piece of property open up for developers on that side of town in a year or two as well.

Hmmm. Fairgrounds?

West Elementary.

OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 4/3/2017 5:20:25 PM

C Money wrote:

Ohio69 wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

I'd imagine that there will be a sizable piece of property open up for developers on that side of town in a year or two as well.

Hmmm. Fairgrounds?

West Elementary.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

[If anti-neighborhood school coalition gets its way.]

BillyTheCat
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 4/3/2017 7:45:36 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

C Money wrote:

Ohio69 wrote:

BillyTheCat wrote:

I'd imagine that there will be a sizable piece of property open up for developers on that side of town in a year or two as well.

Hmmm. Fairgrounds?

West Elementary.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

[If anti-neighborhood school coalition gets its way.]

You will not see local schools, simply not cost effective nor are they equitable. Even if the measure goes down schools will close.

Sean Gallagher
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/2/2017 9:46:24 PM

This so called West Union Green may represent progress to some, but it's likely the last nail in the coffin of what was once a significant commercial and industrial (yes industrial) hub of Athens. This project, as I understand it, will run along the South section of W. Union between Factory Street and Roberts Lane. I'm sure many of you are scratching your heads with that reference. Where the heck is that? Well, if you're an old-timer like me, you may remember the Athens Lumber Company. That was originally at 169 W. Union. OU bought that property for $850,000 in 2000 and tore it down for the current Human Resources (HR) building that sits just east of Factory on the South side of W. Union. Few realize that the Athens Lumber Company was in business at that location (169 W. Union) since 1871 as the George Faloon Planing Mill and later as the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to roughly 2000. This proposal is just east of that starting on the west side of Factory Street. Within this proposed development on the West side of Factory Street just south of W. Union is a very historic foundry building that will likely be torn down with this development. It's really unfortunate because the structure was renovated and is in really great shape and is the last structure in the old Athens RR station area that remains (other than the train station itself) from the old days. If you go on Google maps you'll see it at the NW corner of Factory and Moore Ave. I'm not against progress and I understand change, but it will be unfortunate to lose the last remaining foundry building from the old industrial era of Athens. I lived in this neighborhood in 1976 and I can tell you it was both gritty and great. We had the Little Ritz at 110 W. Union, the West End Tavern, the trains (including the Amtrak "Shenandoah" line) were active. "Black Julie" Abraham ran the Roaring 20's (And Jambouree) at 120 W. UNION, Mountain Leather was at 106 W. Union and Harpo's was active at 128 W Union. This whole neighborhood has already been gentrified. The old Hocking Canal once ended here, but it was filled in and later the trains died and the tracks were removed. Prior to that the Station Street Apartments were built. That development wiped out all the old industrial and commercial sites. Again progress is progress, but I hope OU won't tear down the foundry building while no one is looking. But I think we've seen this before. If you're in Athens drive by and take a look. Its worth saving.

And that Robert's Lane reference. The Roberts family ran the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to 2000. They supplied lumber for a White House (yes, that White House) removation in 1910. One of the Roberts ancestors was Margraet Snowden. Yes, that Snowden. I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture that some progress comes at a price.

Last Edited: 5/21/2017 10:19:18 PM by Sean Gallagher

Ohio69
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/3/2017 10:48:09 AM

Too bad. The fairgrounds are a nice piece of real estate just sitting around doing nothing. Al Czervik wouldn't like it at all.

Can somebody hit a pull up jumper for me?.....

The Optimist
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Member Since: 3/16/2007
Location: CLE
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/3/2017 1:05:05 PM

Sean Gallagher wrote:

This so called West Union Green may represent progress to some, but it's likely the last nail in the coffin of what was once a significant commercial and industrial (yes industrial) hub of Athens. This project, as I understand it, will run along the South section of W. Union between Factory Street and Roberts Lane. I'm sure many of you are scratching your heads with that reference. Where the heck is that? Well, if you're an old-timer like me, you may remember the Athens Lumber Company. That was originally at 169 W. Union. OU bought that property for $850,000 in 2000 and tore it down for the current Human Resources (HR) building that sits just east of Factory on the South side of W. Union. Few realize that the Athens Lumber Company was in business at that location (169 W. Union) since 1871 as the George Faloon Planing Mill and later as the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to roughly 2000. This proposal is just east of that starting on the west side of Factory Street. Within this proposed development on the West side of Factory Street just south of W. Union is a very historic foundry building that will likely be torn down with this development. It's really unfortunate because the structure was renovated and is in really great shape and is the last structure in the old Athens RR station area that remains (other than the train station itself) from the old days. If you go on Google maps you'll see it at the NW corner of Factory and Moore Ave. I'm not against progress and I understand change, but it will be unfortunate to lose the last remaining foundry building from the old industrial era of Athens. I lived in this neighborhood in 1976 and I can tell you it was both gritty and great. We had the Little Ritz, the West End Tavern, the trains (including the Amtrak "Shenandoah" line) were active. "Black Julie" Abraham ran the Roaring 20's, Mountain Leather was at 108 W. Union and Harpo's was active at 120 W Union. This whole neighborhood has already been gentrified. The old Hocking Canal once ended here, but it was filled in and later the trains died and the tracks were removed. Prior to that the Station Street Apartments were built. That development wiped out all the old industrial and commercial sites. Again progress is progress, but I hope OU won't tear down the foundry building while no one is looking. But I think we've seen this before. If you're in Athens drive by and take a look. Its worth saving.

And that Robert's Lane reference. The Roberts family ran the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to 2000. They supplied lumber for a White House (yes, that White House) removation in 1910. One of the Roberts ancestors was Margraet Snowden. Yes, that Snowden. I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture that some progress comes at a price.

Cool building. I love those industrial style brick buildings. Everyone wins when those types of buildings are re-purposed. It does look like they plan to tear it down. The only renderings of this project I've seen of this plan were in the OU Master Plan. From the rendering in the master plan, it looks like not only are they constructing a new building over this it also looks like that block of Moore Avenue would be eliminated and the new building would also go over that. I may be wrong as it is hard to tell from the rendering.

I'm hopeful the University will do a good job blending these buildings into the surrounding area. Two large plots of developed land that I don't like are the Station Street apartments and on the other side of town, Riverpark Towers. They serve the need for student housing but I wish they'd both been laid out a little differently.

I've seen crazier things happen.

DelBobcat
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Member Since: 8/26/2010
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 1,135

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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/3/2017 1:09:27 PM

Sean Gallagher wrote:

This so called West Union Green may represent progress to some, but it's likely the last nail in the coffin of what was once a significant commercial and industrial (yes industrial) hub of Athens. This project, as I understand it, will run along the South section of W. Union between Factory Street and Roberts Lane. I'm sure many of you are scratching your heads with that reference. Where the heck is that? Well, if you're an old-timer like me, you may remember the Athens Lumber Company. That was originally at 169 W. Union. OU bought that property for $850,000 in 2000 and tore it down for the current Human Resources (HR) building that sits just east of Factory on the South side of W. Union. Few realize that the Athens Lumber Company was in business at that location (169 W. Union) since 1871 as the George Faloon Planing Mill and later as the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to roughly 2000. This proposal is just east of that starting on the west side of Factory Street. Within this proposed development on the West side of Factory Street just south of W. Union is a very historic foundry building that will likely be torn down with this development. It's really unfortunate because the structure was renovated and is in really great shape and is the last structure in the old Athens RR station area that remains (other than the train station itself) from the old days. If you go on Google maps you'll see it at the NW corner of Factory and Moore Ave. I'm not against progress and I understand change, but it will be unfortunate to lose the last remaining foundry building from the old industrial era of Athens. I lived in this neighborhood in 1976 and I can tell you it was both gritty and great. We had the Little Ritz, the West End Tavern, the trains (including the Amtrak "Shenandoah" line) were active. "Black Julie" Abraham ran the Roaring 20's, Mountain Leather was at 108 W. Union and Harpo's was active at 120 W Union. This whole neighborhood has already been gentrified. The old Hocking Canal once ended here, but it was filled in and later the trains died and the tracks were removed. Prior to that the Station Street Apartments were built. That development wiped out all the old industrial and commercial sites. Again progress is progress, but I hope OU won't tear down the foundry building while no one is looking. But I think we've seen this before. If you're in Athens drive by and take a look. Its worth saving.

And that Robert's Lane reference. The Roberts family ran the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to 2000. They supplied lumber for a White House (yes, that White House) removation in 1910. One of the Roberts ancestors was Margraet Snowden. Yes, that Snowden. I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture that some progress comes at a price.

Thanks for the info--a great piece of history. Unfortunately, the causes of the downfall of industry in that area are bigger than Ohio University or Athens. I do think the university would be smart to preserve the foundry building and I'm optimistic that will happen. I lived on Shafer my senior year so I have fond memories of the area, but I always did think that W. Union from Depot to Roberts was underutilized as a commercial corridor. The large parking lot in from of the HDL Center (or whatever that building is called nowadays) really kills the pedestrian experience.

BA OHIO 2010, BS OHIO 2010, MA Delaware 2012

rpbobcat
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Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/3/2017 1:16:58 PM

DelBobcat wrote:

Sean Gallagher wrote:

This so called West Union Green may represent progress to some, but it's likely the last nail in the coffin of what was once a significant commercial and industrial (yes industrial) hub of Athens. This project, as I understand it, will run along the South section of W. Union between Factory Street and Roberts Lane. I'm sure many of you are scratching your heads with that reference. Where the heck is that? Well, if you're an old-timer like me, you may remember the Athens Lumber Company. That was originally at 169 W. Union. OU bought that property for $850,000 in 2000 and tore it down for the current Human Resources (HR) building that sits just east of Factory on the South side of W. Union. Few realize that the Athens Lumber Company was in business at that location (169 W. Union) since 1871 as the George Faloon Planing Mill and later as the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to roughly 2000. This proposal is just east of that starting on the west side of Factory Street. Within this proposed development on the West side of Factory Street just south of W. Union is a very historic foundry building that will likely be torn down with this development. It's really unfortunate because the structure was renovated and is in really great shape and is the last structure in the old Athens RR station area that remains (other than the train station itself) from the old days. If you go on Google maps you'll see it at the NW corner of Factory and Moore Ave. I'm not against progress and I understand change, but it will be unfortunate to lose the last remaining foundry building from the old industrial era of Athens. I lived in this neighborhood in 1976 and I can tell you it was both gritty and great. We had the Little Ritz, the West End Tavern, the trains (including the Amtrak "Shenandoah" line) were active. "Black Julie" Abraham ran the Roaring 20's, Mountain Leather was at 108 W. Union and Harpo's was active at 120 W Union. This whole neighborhood has already been gentrified. The old Hocking Canal once ended here, but it was filled in and later the trains died and the tracks were removed. Prior to that the Station Street Apartments were built. That development wiped out all the old industrial and commercial sites. Again progress is progress, but I hope OU won't tear down the foundry building while no one is looking. But I think we've seen this before. If you're in Athens drive by and take a look. Its worth saving.

And that Robert's Lane reference. The Roberts family ran the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to 2000. They supplied lumber for a White House (yes, that White House) removation in 1910. One of the Roberts ancestors was Margraet Snowden. Yes, that Snowden. I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture that some progress comes at a price.

If you want to see a pretty good job of "preserving history",check out the Sands Casino in Bethlehem Pa..
It was built on the old Bethlehem Steel site.
Its amazing how they were able to preserve/incorporate portions of the plant into the project.

DelBobcat
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Member Since: 8/26/2010
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Post Count: 1,135

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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/3/2017 2:46:24 PM

rpbobcat wrote:

DelBobcat wrote:

Sean Gallagher wrote:

This so called West Union Green may represent progress to some, but it's likely the last nail in the coffin of what was once a significant commercial and industrial (yes industrial) hub of Athens. This project, as I understand it, will run along the South section of W. Union between Factory Street and Roberts Lane. I'm sure many of you are scratching your heads with that reference. Where the heck is that? Well, if you're an old-timer like me, you may remember the Athens Lumber Company. That was originally at 169 W. Union. OU bought that property for $850,000 in 2000 and tore it down for the current Human Resources (HR) building that sits just east of Factory on the South side of W. Union. Few realize that the Athens Lumber Company was in business at that location (169 W. Union) since 1871 as the George Faloon Planing Mill and later as the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to roughly 2000. This proposal is just east of that starting on the west side of Factory Street. Within this proposed development on the West side of Factory Street just south of W. Union is a very historic foundry building that will likely be torn down with this development. It's really unfortunate because the structure was renovated and is in really great shape and is the last structure in the old Athens RR station area that remains (other than the train station itself) from the old days. If you go on Google maps you'll see it at the NW corner of Factory and Moore Ave. I'm not against progress and I understand change, but it will be unfortunate to lose the last remaining foundry building from the old industrial era of Athens. I lived in this neighborhood in 1976 and I can tell you it was both gritty and great. We had the Little Ritz, the West End Tavern, the trains (including the Amtrak "Shenandoah" line) were active. "Black Julie" Abraham ran the Roaring 20's, Mountain Leather was at 108 W. Union and Harpo's was active at 120 W Union. This whole neighborhood has already been gentrified. The old Hocking Canal once ended here, but it was filled in and later the trains died and the tracks were removed. Prior to that the Station Street Apartments were built. That development wiped out all the old industrial and commercial sites. Again progress is progress, but I hope OU won't tear down the foundry building while no one is looking. But I think we've seen this before. If you're in Athens drive by and take a look. Its worth saving.

And that Robert's Lane reference. The Roberts family ran the Athens Lumber Co. from 1890 to 2000. They supplied lumber for a White House (yes, that White House) removation in 1910. One of the Roberts ancestors was Margraet Snowden. Yes, that Snowden. I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture that some progress comes at a price.

Agreed. They did a really great job there. Another good project is the Power Plant in Baltimore. Although, I'd prefer they not have the garish Hard Rock guitar up there:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Pratt...

Last Edited: 5/3/2017 2:48:03 PM by DelBobcat

BA OHIO 2010, BS OHIO 2010, MA Delaware 2012

OhioCatFan
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Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,150

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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/3/2017 10:04:02 PM

Sean, I agree with what you say here. We really need to renovate and re-purpose rather than tear down and replace. The recent destruction of Old Morton Hall on President Street was really obnoxious. This building was structurally sound and was designed by a world-renowned architect. In the area you are talking about the HDL center was, of course, one of about five buildings in town that were part of the McBee Company back when I was a child. In my class there were about as many kids whose parents worked at McBee's as there were kids whose parents worked at Ohio University. McBees was a company known throughout the nation and in Europe. In fact, they had additional plants in The Netherlands and on the west coast (Eugene, Oregon, I think it was). The company was founded and headquartered here in Athens. The HDL building was turning out business forms and other products 24 hours a day. You'd hear various whistles throughout the day and night indicating shift changes. The McBee company actually was an early innovator in the development of computers for business use. It's downfall was the merger with the Royal Typewriter company to form Royal-McBee. In the merger McBee was actually the bigger company in terms of total assets. They took about $11 million in McBee assets in a vain attempt to beat IBM to the patent office with the selectric typewriter concept. After this they were nearly bankrupt and were bought by the mega-conglomerate company Litton Industries. They were then a speck in his huge company and Athens was no longer the hub but a small hardly noticed spoke. It slowly wilted on the Litton vine, was bought by Deluxe, and then folded. There still is a division of Deluxe called McBee, but it's really just a branding thing. The old McBee Company is deader than a doornail, but it didn't have to be that way if not for the merger with Royal, which was a royal mistake.

rpbobcat
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Location: Rochelle Park, NJ
Post Count: 3,547

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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/4/2017 6:46:14 AM

In New Jersey,and I presume the rest of the states,one of the biggest obstacles to renovating structures is cost.

One of the towns I represented as engineer had a fire in their municipal building.

The building was poured concrete.In fact,it was what they call a "subway pour" which is one of the strongest structures.

Problem was,the building was built years ago.

That meant,if it was to be repaired we had to bring it up to current code.
That included sprinklers and ADA compliance.

Structurally,the building was fine,but the costs to renovate were at least double a new building.

Last Edited: 5/4/2017 9:45:05 AM by rpbobcat

TWT
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
Post Count: 4,998

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RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/7/2017 11:28:05 AM

They tore out Old Morton because it didn't fit architecturally with the newer buildings on that block. The powers that be want to put something in its place that meshes with the Bentley Annex ect. McBee's they could have kept and renovated into shops. A proposal for The Ridges had that concept for its maintenance buildings. Overall I agree there is a surprising lack of creativity in the proposals.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

Sean Gallagher
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Post Count: 134

Status: Offline

RE: "Far West" Green

Posted: 5/13/2017 2:01:10 PM

OhioCatFan wrote:

Great stuff. I forgot about the Royal connection. I wasn't a local, but learned of McBee from living on W. Union a few feet from the old plant. I think a lot of today's native Athenians don't remember or recognize the importance of that company to Athens. We students came and went, but along with OU, that company was the town's life blood for many years.

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