Life & Real Estate In & Around Athens GA. : August 2008

Just a few miles and a few minutes from downtown Athens and the University of Georgia is the quiet neighborhood of St. Charles. Executive homes of quality construction lie on attractively landscape lots. The homes are from 2500 to over 4000 square feet and sit on lots from just under an acre to several acres.

The homes and lots have been developed leaving mature trees in there natural settings provide a look of maturity to the neighborhood. You can have a pleasant walk through the neighborhood, sometimes coming upon a deer or two that will quietly slip back into the bordering forestland.

Lot's are still availble. Select yours now and have your home built in this desireable community.

For information about homes available in this neighborhood, or, anywhere in Athens-Clarke county and the surrounding communities contact me at 706-207-5290 or click here to send me an email.

Botanical Garden Entrance on South Milledge

In 1968 the University of Georgia set aside 313 acres of land as  a living laboratory for the study and enjoyment of plants and nature. This laboratory became the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The visitors center, as well as providing an information center for visitors, also has a cafe and gift shop, offices and classrooms, and, a conservatory of tropical plants.

Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center

5 miles of walking trails let you explore the various "gardens" housed within the complex. There is an international garden with fauna from around the world, a native garden filled with southern plants, a shade garden where you can find some cool respite from the summers heat. Pools, fountains, statues and other interesting items are found as you explore the various sections.

Bronze Castings of Student & Instructer on Field Trip

Local plants in the Native Garden

The Garden Club of Georgia built it's state headquarters here in 1998. The headquarters building also serves as a museum of vintage furnishings and arts.

A Quiet Place to Rest in the Shade Garden

Each season brings new wonders and things to see. During July and August not much is in bloom in the garden. The crepe myrtle is one of the beautiful exceptions.

Crepe Myrtles in Bloom

The garden is located on South Milledge Avenue 3 miles away from the main campus. While it is open all year hours vary for both the garden and the visitor center. For complete directions and current hours of operation refer to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia website.

Just a short ride from Athens you will find Hearthstone, a neighborhood of luxurious but affordable crafstman style homes.You can bring your own plans or select from one of the four models, each with granite or marble countertops, hardwood and tiel floors, 9 ft ceilings, sprinkler systems, bonus rooms and more. Place your home on one the large wooded lots that range from 1/2 to over 2 acres. Home prices, with lots, start in the mid $200,000's.

A sidewalk neighborhood, Hearthstone will soon have a community pool and park.

The four standard models are:

The Gillespie

The Longleaf

The Wilshire

The Porterfield

To get to Hearthstone from Athens take either the Atlanta Highway or University Parkway (Hwy 316) to Hwy 211. Turn right on 211 and follow that to Hearthstone and turn right into the neighborhood. There is an agent in the office Friday thru Sunday from 2 PM to 6 PM. For showings at other times, or, for more information, call me or click on my email address.

But I am not sure what the story is here.

Whenever I go into the office I take 316 to the Oconee Connector. I then turn right to get to my office on Jennings Mill Rd. and I pass and intersection with the above sign.

When I head home, or out on an appointment in that same direction I retrace my route back to the Oconee Connector and pass the same intersection with the sign shown below.

Ok, same intersection, same sign. But somewhat different road names.

When I look on a map I find that the road is Virgil Langford Rd. I can't find a Langkord anywhere.

I wonder what the story is behind this sign. Was it a local joke? (Nobody seems to know the punchline if it is a joke). How long did it take before someone from the county noticed the discrepancy? Has anyone from the county noticed? Why hasn't it been repaired? All questions without answers.

But for now, it remains one of those quaint rural south landmarks. I think I like it that way. I can make up a  new story about it every time I pass by. Wonder what Virgil thinks of that? What is the story behind this?