Destinations in the Extended Community
Destinations in high school included Jennings', Bradley's and White's stores. Later in Our Years, after we had driver's licenses, the boundaries of our community expanded to include additional destinations. We discovered favorite places and claimed them as our own. There were theaters such as the Lavon and Mercer in Princeton and the 
Colonial and Granada in Bluefield. A special attraction for 16 year-olds who could borrow the family car was the Skyway outdoor theater in Bluewell.
Soon there were favorite restaurants outside of Athens. Brock's was at the top of the list, followed by Jimmie's, Ferrell's, the Green Tree and the Walnut Room. Drive in restaurants were BIG, especially Bill's, Mooney's, and Thurstan's. The first fast food restaurant, Kenny's, was a hit when it was built on Oakvale Road in Princeton near the Athens Road intersection. Smiley's, first located in Princeton and later north of Athens on Route 20 under the name "Tilt Tavern," became interesting as we approached the legal drinking age.
Family destinations that we knew as children, such as Shawnee Lake and Bluestone Park, were rediscovered with friends. Pipestem was being developed. These special places were a few miles from Athens but played important roles in forming the overall Athens experience.
Restaurants
Brock's
Jimmie'sFerrell'sJimmie's Restaurant Photographs
Jimmie's Restaurant Progress
Green Tree
Walnut Room
Drive-In Restaurants
Mooney's Bar-B-Que Drive-In
Smiley Boys (later Tilt Tavern)
Bill's Drive-In
Thurston's
Kenny BurgerMovie Theaters
Parks and Recreation
Lake Shawnee
Visits by Karen Stuebing
Advertisements from the Raleigh RegisterPipestem Resort State Park
Bluestone State ParkShops and Groceries
Lloyd's Pastry Shop
Skeen's
G. C. MurphyPlease contribute content related to the list above by sending photographs, descriptions, and memory stories. Contact us from the link at the top of this page.
