Check Us Out in the Community
Check Us Out in the Community
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Here are some locations that you can go to and watch and learn about historical places that were once in Athens!
Athens Community Hall
Athens Community Hall
In 1886, the daughters of Peter Zahner-Anna Feider and Catherine Albrecht-donated land and the Holy Redeemer Church was built on this site.
In 1931, the Village of Athens bought the Holy Redeemer building from the Rietbrock Land and Lumber Company for $800 and tore it down.
In March 1936, the village received favorable news from the PWA concerning a proposed federal grant for a new hall. The present Community Hall was built in 1936-1937. A dance was held on March 29, 193 7, when completed. Over a thousand people from around the area came to see the building and enjoyed the dance. A highlight was the fact that the new hall was one of very few in northern Wisconsin to have air conditioning.
The hall was the center of local activities until 1968 when the new high school was built. It was used for graduation ceremonies, basketball games, Memorial Day services, movies, stunt nights, class plays, library programs, Marathon County meal program, and exhibit hall for the Athens Fair.
The village office, police department and the library moved there in the early 1970's. They stayed until 1996 when they moved next door to the vacated and remodeled fire station. The basement is currently home to a bar and a 4-lane bowling alley.
Source: Athens, Wisconsin 1990 Centennial Book
Trinity Child Care
No record of when the first fire hall was built on this site. One Sunday in March 1944, the fire siren blew, the Fire Hall was on fire. People hurried to save the village band's drums, which were stored upstairs in a back room. The fireman fought to save the building. It stood with several holes in the roof. The jail was also in the fire hall.
Later, the current building was built in its place and housed the frre trucks and ambulance until 1996, when the building became too small for the new and larger equipment and a new building was built. The police department, village office, and library moved in once it was remodeled.
When a new facility was found, the police department, village office and library moved again. Trinity Child Care moved into the vacated space allowing them to expand.
Source: Athens, Wisconsin 1990 Centennial Book
St. Anthony's Church
The present site was purchased fro1n Fred Rietbrock for $600 plus the Holy Redeemer building and land. To keep building costs down, members volunteered their time and building skills. Work was begun in 1904, the cornerstone was laid on April 25, 1905, and the completed building was dedicated on August 9, 1906.
It is a German Gothic structure with numerous stained-glass windows, including two rose windows. A carillon from Holland was installed.
Source: Athens, Wisconsin 1990 Centennial Book
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