Athena, Oregon

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Coordinates: 45°48′51″N, 118°29′28″W
Athena, Oregon
Location in Oregon
County	Umatilla County
Incorporated	1904
Government
- Mayor	Duane Smalley
Area
- City	1.5 km² (0.6 sq mi)
- Land	1.5 km² (0.6 sq mi)
- Water	0 km² (0 sq mi)
Elevation	90.2 m (1,710 ft)
Population (2000)
- City	1,221
- Density	827.1/km² (2,152.5/sq mi)
Time zone	Pacific (UTC-8)
- Summer (DST)	Pacific (UTC-7)

Athena is a city in Umatilla County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,221 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics
4 Trivia
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Athena is located at 45°48′51″N, 118°29′28″W (45.814039, -118.491205)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²), all land.

[edit] 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.^{[citation needed]}

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[1]. The high school, following the Scottish tradition, has had a pipe band, the Weston McEwen Pipes, Drums, and Military Band, since 1953.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 1,221 people, 446 households, and 341 families residing in the city. The population density was 827.1/km² (2,152.5/mi²). There were 473 housing units at an average density of 320.4/km² (833.8/mi²). 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.

[edit] 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 Mid-Ohio in 2006. 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. Hodaka reunion page

[edit] 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.