Photo Friday: Home of the Tree That Owns Itself
 Athens, GA |
As home to the country's oldest public chartered university, Athens, GA is named after the city that was home to the academy of Plato and Aristotle in Greece. And this quintessential college town is also considered the first and most famous "college music scene." Artists like REM, B-52s, Widespread Panic, and the Indigo Girls among many others have brought the sleepy southern town national attention.
I highlight it for Photo Friday not because it attracts hipsters who want to attend a show at the famous 40Watt Club or get a bite at REM's Automatic For the People album inspiration, Weaver D's. For me, this town is home, and during the holidays, wherever you call home is most likely where you're traveling.
We'll be spending Christmas in Las Vegas this year, but I love visiting this quirky little town, even if it's just in photos. I could share shots of favorite hang outs and things only interesting to me. Instead, I'll give you a hint of local color with the story of a tree.
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 Yes, it really owns itself. The original tree, a white oak "deeded to itself" in 1890, fell back in the 40's. So technically the local landmark today is known as "The Son of the Tree That Owns Itself" because it was planted from the original's acorns. According to legend, University of Georgia professor William Jackson lived across the street from the tree, and often climbed it as a child. So the story goes, his attachment to it prompted him to deed the tree and the land on which it grew. Though there is no existing documentation — just a newspaper article from the late 1800's — the tree is widely assumed to have legal ownership of itself. The city of Athens officially recognizes it as a Historic Landmark. |
Very interesting. Thanks for telling us about this. There are so many interesting things to be found when we look for them!
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That's one of my favorite things about checking out other Photo Friday posts -- always stuff I'd never hear of otherwise. Thanks for your comment.
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WHAT a very cool story. i love it!! and bravo for the son of the tree. happy to have found you from photo friday!
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Nice to "meet" you too! Thanks for your comment.
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This is so wonderful! I love that William H. Jackson did this and wish I had known him. Am going to RT this lovely post! :)
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I bet he was probably pretty interesting to hang out with. I have no idea what he taught, but I'm guessing he was a pretty eccentric character. Thanks for passing this along. Happy holidays!
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Very interesting story. Hope to visit Athens, GA one day...keep hearing good things about it. Happy Holidays!
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Well, that's a long trip from Sicily! Happy travels wherever you wander in 2010. Thanks for stopping by!
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Quality post with the stories behind the photographs. Looks like a pretty independent tree - bet if you stood near it long enough you might learn a few history lessons.
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Nobody's coming after it with a chainsaw, that's for sure. There might be a thing or two to learn from the tree, but it can't have a coffee or beer with you. There are lots of cool hangouts in town to hear people talking philosophy and history. Thanks for your comment!
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That's a great story and cool photos. Reminds me of the Giving Tree story.
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It does! I loved that book as a kid -- thanks for making that connection. Appreciate your comment.
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I had to keep reading because I had to know about that title. Very informative. Christmas in Vegas sounds like fun!
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Christmas in Vegas is fun -- we usually go all out and cook, but sometimes for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas we'll hit a fancy casino buffet. Feast with no clean-up! Thanks for your comment.
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great story - one i, a native georgian, have never heard before. of course we are tech fans, so it's not like we visit athens all that much;)
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Well, I think even a Tech fan can enjoy a day in Athens... probably best to skip the trip on a game day though.
Nice to meet a fellow Georigan. Thanks for stopping by!
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I've always thought Athens would be fun to visit because of the music connection. And this is just the kind of thing I'd love finding and learning about the story. These quirky little finds are usually the best part of a trip for me. Thanks for sharing!
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Well, truth be told, the music is a better reason to visit. (In fact, they have an annual "Athfest" music festival in June, if that's your scene.) But I like what it says about a community that honors a deal like this, however it may have been struck.
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May we all be like this tree and own our life and all our choices and stay standing strong and true.
I love it. Look forward to more stories like this in 2010. By the way left handed people like us rock ;)
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What a great wish for the New Year! I raise a glass to you with my left hand.
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What a fantastic story! I wonder if a tree can legally on itself.
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