Athens City Engineer collection

The Athens City Engineer collection spans the work of the Engineering Division in Athens, Georgia, which exists to assist the community through planning and maintaining transportation and storm-water drainage systems. This manuscript collection spans the years 1883 to 1982, encompassing multiple City Engineers. Engineer J.W. Barnett held the office, from 1890 to at least 1912 based on engineering trade magazines from the era. The collection mostly includes items from Engineer Jack Garlington Beacham who took over the position on May 15, 1930. According to the collection, Beacham was responsible for the design of the J.G. Beacham Water Filtration Plant which is still in use. He also designed the Water Pollution Control Plant and the Broad Street Bridge over the Oconee River. He retired from the position in March 1968.

Beacham was a native of Athens, Georgia born in 1906. Beacham received his degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Georgia before becoming City Engineer. He was highly active in the Athens community and is remembered through the J.G. Beacham Water Treatment Plant he designed. He was also active in local organization outside of engineering. Beacham married Dora Lutrelle Coffee, who passed away in 1975. He remarried to Mary Echols before he passed away on December 21, 1977. He is buried in Oconee Hill Cemetery.