The first meeting with the view of organizing a Kiwanis Club in Athens was July 29, 1920 at Petty-Manker Hall on the campus of Tennessee Wesleyan College. The Club was chartered August 11, 1920 with 54 members. On September 6, 1920, the charter was presented to 60 members by Lt. Governor Charles R. Roberts. The Cleveland Club is about a week older than we are, and the Sweetwater Club is a week younger. The Kiwanis representative traveled by train following Robert E. Lee Highway (U.S. 11) setting up clubs.

The Clubs were originally set up as “trade associations” to promote trade between the members (the business and professional men of the area). It soon became evident, however, that the club functioned more importantly as a watchdog for the community – and meeting the needs of the community – that’s what happens when you get a bunch of community leaders together in one place every week!

Pictured are the Kiwanis members in front of Trinity United Methodist Church (or at that time, the Methodist Episcopal Church, North) from The Semi-Weekly Post of Saturday, December 16, 1922. The club still had around 60 members at this time. The caption read: “Not the handsomest bunch in the world, but they have the “pep”, and that’s what counts.” In the article it is later stated, “Kiwanians are not just of the kid glove type, but are true he-men, and can justify their manhood on any occasion.”

During the 20’s, the club did actual “hands on” work, where today we raise money, and let our money do the work for us. An example is the story in which S.A. Jenkins, Town Marshall, was killed in the line of duty. He left behind a widow and two small children who had no permanent home. The Kiwanis members raised $ 1,500, bought materials, and physically built her a home. Another example of “hands on” work regards the annual strawberry crop in Meigs County. Annually, about 55 box car loads were shipped from Athens, the nearest railhead. During one particularly bad year weatherwise, the road to Athens (present-day Hwy 30) had become impassable for about a 2 ½ mile stretch. The club recognized this problem and formed what were called “work the road days.” On Saturdays and Wednesday afternoons (the “other” Saturday), the business and professional men of Athens put on their work clothes, took shovels, picks, wheelbarrows, trucks and etc. and physically rebuilt that 2 ½ mile portion so that the crop could make it in to market.

As time moved on, during the 30’s and 40’s, the emphasis of the club shifted towards youth – as did Kiwanis International. The club was instrumental in building the community pools that still exist at City Park, Ingleside and North City. The first tennis courts were a Kiwanis project as was the school camp at Watts Bar in 1962 which is still enjoyed and used by students in the Athens City School system today.

Ever popular today, the annual Kiwanis Barbeque debuted September 6, 1951 as the “Kiwanis Barbeque and Tennessee Jersey Cattle Show.” 550 people were fed at that first barbeque raising $ 543.00 for community projects. Another mainstay, the annual Kiwanis Pancake day got its start in 1961.

As you can see, the club has a long and proud history and has grown from those 60 men to over 115 men and women in today’s club. Youth are still our focus, but I think you will find that the club remains the watchdog of our community – ready to find a solution to any community need that is observed.