The first permanent European settlers arrived in Athens in 1797, more than a decade after the United States victory in the American Revolutionary War. In 1800, the town site was first surveyed and plotted and incorporated as a village in 1811. Ohio had become a state in 1803. Ohio University was chartered in 1804, the first public institution of higher learning in the Northwest Territory. Previously part of Washington County, Ohio, Athens County was formed in 1805, named for the ancient center of learning, Athens, Greece.
The first permanent European settlers arrived in Athens in 1797, more than a decade after the United States victory in the American Revolution,ary War In 1800, the town site was first surveyed and plotted and incorporated as. a village in 1811. Ohio had become a state in 1803 Ohio University was chartered in 1804, the first public institution of higher learning in the Northwest Territory. Previously part of Washington County, Ohio, Athens County was formed i.n 1805, named for the ancient center of learning Athens, Greece.