Athena, Oregon

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Athena, Oregon
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =


imagesize =
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mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Oregon


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Oregon
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Umatilla
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Duane Smalley
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1904
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi = 0.6
area_total_km2 = 1.5
area_land_sq_mi = 0.6
area_land_km2 = 1.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0
area_water_km2 = 0
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_urban_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
population_as_of = 2007
population_note =
population_total = 1270
population_metro =
population_urban =
population_density_km2 = 827.1
population_density_sq_mi = 2152.5
timezone = Pacific
utc_offset = -8
timezone_DST = Pacific
utc_offset_DST = -7
latd = 45 |latm = 48 |lats = 51 |latNS = N
longd = 118 |longm = 29 |longs = 28 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 90.2
elevation_ft = 1,710
website =
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 97813
area_code = 541
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 41-03200GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1167693GR|3
footnotes =

Athena is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,221 at the 2000 census. The 2007 estimate is 1,270 residents. [http://www.pdx.edu/media/p/r/prcCertifiedRelease_07_web_cities.pdf PSU:Population Research Center] ] It is part of the Pendleton–Hermiston Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Athena is located at coor dms|45|48|51|N|118|29|28|W|city (45.814039, -118.491205)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6 square miles (1.5 km²), all of it land.

History

Athena was established as a stage stop between Pendleton, Oregon and Walla Walla, Washington, reportedly known by locals as Mud Flats, Yellow Dog, and Squaw Town until the official name of Centerville was selected. However, there was already a town by that name in Washington State, and eventually the schoolmaster, professor Jarvis, suggested Athena. City legend has it that he judged the surrounding topography as comparable to Athens, Greece.Fact|date=February 2007

Before World War I, Athena hosted the annual Caledonian Games, which lapsed in 1914. They were revived as a Bicentennial event in 1976 and continue today, and the Scots heritage is evident at Weston McEwen High School [http://www.athwest.k12.or.us/highschool] . The high school, following the Scottish tradition, has had a pipe band, the Weston McEwen Pipes, Drums, and Military Band, since 1953.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,221 people, 446 households, and 341 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,152.5 people per square mile (827.1/km²). There were 473 housing units at an average density of 833.8/sq mi (320.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.17% White, 3.69% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 3.60% from other races, and 2.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.16% of the population.

There were 446 households out of which 40.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.5% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,875, and the median income for a family was $40,234. Males had a median income of $30,323 versus $20,598 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,566. About 10.5% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

Trivia

*Hodaka motorcycles were once designed and assembled in Athena under the aegis of the Pacific Basin Trading Company, with manufacture in Japan. The Hodaka marque is recognized as an American vintage cycle; it was the vintage marque at the 2006 AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio. Reunions of former PABATCO employees, vintage enthusiasts, and present-day Hodaka owners and riders are held in Athena annually, including swap meet, bike show, scrambles, and observed trials. [cite web|url=http://www.hodakadays.org|title=Hodaka Days organization]

References

*"Athena Press", issues archived at the Athena library.
*Gaston, Joseph, "Centennial History of Oregon", Chicago: SJ Clarke Publishing, 1912.
*Geissel, Genevieve and Mildred Miley, "Athena, Once Centerville, Has Interesting History", Umatilla County Historical Society "Pioneer Trails", V2, no.3, April 1978.
*Gilbert, Frank T., "Historic Sketches", Portland, Oregon: AG Walling Printing, 1882.

External links

* [http://www.jhmand.com/athena Athena Community website]