For some it was an eyesore, a ghetto that was nothing more than a nuisance to the growing city of Athens.  To others, it was a symbol of pride, though tarnished and in need of repair.  It had been, over 100 years earlier, a community of free blacks that once overlooked the town of Athens from a high hill to the north.  It was known by its inhabitants as Free Hill.

Free Hill, established at some time period prior to the Civil War, was occupied and owned by black Americans who, unlike many of their brethren at the time, were not slaves.  These free men not only owned their own homes and land, but many were skilled tradesmen or owned their own businesses.  Two prominent blacks in the area were William Heyward Ferguson, an educated minister, and Robert “Bob” McGaughey, a skilled tin worker whose shop was downtown where the old First National Bank/Johnson Building is now located.  

It appears that it was not an uncommon thing for blacks to own businesses in Athens in those days prior to the Civil War.  An advertisement in the June 2, 1854 Athens Post refers to “Bath Houses” operated by Clint Cleage and Nelson Gettys, “two enterprising men from Africa”.  As late as the early twentieth century, Albert Evans owned and operated a successful barbershop that was even listed in the 1916 Athens Telephone Directory at 8 North White Street.  Mr. Evans ran a good business and lived in a fine home, although he could not cut his own people’s hair.  For in the days of Jim Crow laws, no white patron would sit in the same barber chair used by a black patron.

The community of Free Hill was centered around St. Mark’s Methodist Church, founded in 1865 and built on land obtained in 1867.  It was the first church in McMinn County that was founded by and for blacks.  A black school, which some refer to as the first in Athens, was operated on Free Hill under the direction of William Ferguson, and later by his son Arthur.  The school was located near the present fellowship hall of St.                                                         Mark’s, and it was in this school that the members of St. Mark’s worshipped until a proper church building was completed several years later.  William published assorted periodicals after 1891 that molded a positive public opinion toward the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and also contributed to the establishment of Greene County High School.  Arthur Ferguson, following his father’s example, obtained his education from Livingston College and was instrumental in the founding of Cook School in Athens.  Also a skilled woodworker, Arthur Ferguson and his seven sons are credited with building the original foundation of St. Mark’s Methodist, completed in 1882 by John McDonald. Ferguson also operated a coal yard, and was the first black shipping clerk at the Athens Woolen Mill.  For many in Athens’ black community, Free Hill was symbolic as a community that had “made it on its own”.

But over time, the land changed hands and much of Free Hill fell into disrepair and neglect.  When Urban Renewal targeted Free Hill in the early 1960’s, the property in the area was bought up in its entirety. Some say that false promises were made to its inhabitants, that the community would be demolished and reconstructed on the same site, and would be available for resale to its inhabitants.  If there were any promises, it is clear they were never fulfilled.  For the most part, Free Hill had completely disappeared by the mid-1970’s.  The area now is most noted for the YMCA, the Athens Municipal Building, and a college soccer field.

No marker commemorates Athens’ pre-Civil War community of free blacks, and little writing has been done to preserve the fact that it ever existed.  Only St. Mark’s stands on its original location, marking the site of Free Hill, a community that once overlooked Athens, but now lives only in the dimming memories of its residents.

I am indebted to the writings of Ms. Augusta Witt in “McMinn County: A History of Its People”, Ms. Lee Cates, and Mr. Wally Ferguson in obtaining this information.

Joe D. Guy is a nationally published author, newspaper columnist, and historian residing in McMinn County, TN.  He may be reached via email at guyjd@hotmail.com or at PO Box 489, Englewood, TN 37329.