Herty Field

Herty Field is one of my favorite spots on the University of Georgia campus.  It was the first field for football and baseball at the University of Georgia

The field was completed in 1891.  It was named for Dr. Charles Herty who was a chemistry professor and responsible for bringing football to the university.  He also is credited for bringing baseball to UGA.   I have a personal love for the baseball team because my grandfather and grand uncle both played for Georgia between 1909 and 1913,.  Since I work on North Campus I make a special effort to walk by Herty Field at least once a day and think of them.

This picture was taken in the summer.  You won't see those gorgeous plants right now as the university replaces them with smaller ones for football season.  Football fans are extremely hard on our beautiful campus and leave a lot of garbage and destruction behind.

Check out the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library website to see a collection of old photos of the university.  There is a great one of Herty Field.

More from UGA Health Sciences Campus: Winnie Davis Hall

Winnie Davis Hall on the former Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, GA.  Built in 1902, the building was originally a dormitory for the Georgia State Normal School.  The building is named for the daughter of Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy.

Former Navy School

Lovers of historical markers and historical buildings will have a field day now that the University of Georgia has taken over the old Navy School location.  There are a lot of makers and plaques to see.  Today I'm gonna show you the Carnegie Library.

When the Navy had the location they used it as a museum as well as a library.

Located to the right of the library is a lovely garden.

More picture later.

Game Day

Game Day in Athens, GA.  Dawgs against Florida Atlantic.  The game won't be very exciting but the pre-game will be.  Russ will officially assume the title of UGA IX.  Go Russ!


Sad update:
Russ died on December 21, 2015.  He was the interim mascot for 25 games.  He became Uga IX on September 15, 2012.  Georgia's record during his reign was 44 - 19. He will be remembered as the fans' favorite Uga.

See the article here:

Athens Banner Herald

Young Reynolds Smith

 In Memory Of Martin Reynolds Smith:  An Early Victim Of Vehicular Homicide.

  

 

It’s easy to miss the small plaque located on Lumpkin Street in Five Points.  I had passed by it hundreds of times before I stopped to read it.  The plaque reads:

"In Memory

of

Martin Reynolds Smith

Son of

Mr. And Mrs.

J. Warren Smith

Who Was Instantly

Killed here by a speeding auto truck on November 15^th, 1922

May 22, 1916 – November 15, 1922"

The first time I read the plaque I didn’t notice the last line.  I pictured Martin Reynolds as a college student who was out walking with his friends when he was hit by truck.  But this was not the case.  Reynolds, as he was called, was only six years old.

Reynolds was the second child of J. Warren and Alda Reynolds Smith.  Mr. Smith was the president of the Georgia National Bank.  The family lived on Milledge Circle. 

Reynolds was riding his bicycle in the Five Points area when he was struck by a delivery truck driven by John Miner.  Miner was an employee of Athens Engineering Company and had been working for the company for five years.  He was returning to Athens.  According to Miner Reynolds was “snaking.”  Snaking is riding from one side of the street to the other.  Some eyewitnesses state that Miner was speeding.  At least according to the newspaper accounts all the eyewitnesses agree that the accident was unavoidable.  Reynolds was killed instantly.  Miner, who was African-American was rightfully afraid and returned to his place of employment where he immediately reported the accident.  He was told to turn himself into the Sheriff’s Office.  Miner was later arrested and initially charged with murder.   On January 15^th, 1923 Miner was charged by the Grand Jury.  Miner pleaded guilty and was given the minimum sentence of one year in the chain gang.  He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to one year in “the gang.” (Athens Banner, Jan. 18, 1923)

This is the first case docketed in the Superior Court in Clarke County where someone was charged in connection with a death caused by an automobile accident.   Also, the sentence imposed on Miner was the first imposed in connection with vehicular homicide.  (Athens Banner, Jan. 18, 1923)  

The memorial plaque is located at the base of the utility pole.  You can see it the bottom right hand of the photo.  The white building in the photo is the celebrated Five and Ten Restaurant

Surprise from the landlord

Came home to find that my landlord had cut down a beautiful tree next to the house.  This tree was taller than the two story duplex in which I live.  Notice how close my neighbor's car is to the tree stump.  They cut it down without letting us know.  The ironic thing is this tree was one of the few pretty things in our ugly "maintained" lawn.   One of the joys of renting in Athens, Ga.  The reason they cut it down was because it was grown into that butt ugly lattice work.

Ben Epps (1888-1937)

The newest statue in Athens is of Ben Epps. He was the first Georgian to build and fly an airplane. Our airport in Athens is named for him.

Located across the street from the statue is a bar that stands in the location where Ben Epps had his bicycle shop. The historical marker tells his story.