By John Sheftall  Cobbham is a primarily residential neighborhood situated northwest of the central business district of Athens, Georgia. It has evolved from an almost rural setting for a few large homes into an in-town neighborhood with houses nestled close together on tree-lined streets. Cobbham is often called Athens’ earliest suburb, for John A. Cobb first subdivided his farm near town and advertised  80 lots for sale in 1834. Before the Civil War Cobbham consisted mainly of substantial homes and dependencies occupying entire blocks, many with gardens and pasture land. After the war Victiorian houses began to appear betwen the antebellum homes. As Cobbham entered the 20th century, new structures continued to reflect popular architectural styles.

This one neighborhood counts among its residents many who have achieved prominance not ony locally, but on state and national levels as well. In such fields as law, politics, education, business, art, and medicine. Cobbham today, a popular residential area, has experienced rebirth and widespread restoration. It retains much of its 19th and early 20th century character and is perhaps the nicest place to stroll within the Athens city limits.

Historic Cobbham Foundation grew out of a neghborhood group formed in 1971 to resist further erosion of the residential character of Cobbham. In 1977 the district was received in the National Register of Historic Places, and the Foundation was incorporated with its tax exempt, non-profit status. The Foundation sponsors a number of yearly events and earnestly solicits the support of parties interested in urban residential revitalization.