The Athens Courthouse Square Commercial Historic District is a historic district in Athens, Alabama. Athens was founded in 1818 when Robert Beaty and John D. Carroll began selling tracts of land. The following year, the town was chosen as the county seat of the newly formed Limestone County. Commercial development around the courthouse square was swift, aided by the strong cotton market. The town and courthouse suffered heavy damage during the Civil War in the Battle of Sulphur Creek Trestle. Athens' revival was slowed by major fires in 1882, 1894, and 1897, as well as the Panic of 1893. Redevelopment was spurred again in the 1910s and 1920s by a diversified economy with increased manufacturing, and in the 1930s by electricity provided by the Tennessee Valley Authority. Notable buildings i