The structure that continues to serve the needs of Athenians by housing a legal firm dedicated to protecting the legal rights of citizens, originally was built in 1861 to protect the lives and property of local residents from the ravages of fire.

Located directly across from the Athens-Clarke County Courthouse at 304 East Washington Street, the home of Cook, Noell, Tolley, Bates & Michael was originally occupied by Pioneer Hook & Ladder Company No.1, a volunteer fire company, and by the Pioneer Hose Reel Company No. 5 with its horse-drawn fire-fighting apparatus.

The building functioned as a fire hall and later as headquarters for the fire department, surrendering that honor in 1913 when a new downtown fire station was built a block away at Thomas and Washington streets.

In 1920, the property was acquired by private investors who reconfigured the design and opened it again as the Dixie Hotel.

The structure’s incremental transition into law offices began in 1955 when an Athens attorney, C.. O. Baker, bought the building. He moved his law office there and continued to operate the hotel until 1962. The former fire station and onetime hotel was then purchased by U.S. Rep Robert G. Stephens who located his Congressional offices there and initiated an extensive remodeling of the exterior and third floor of the building.

In 1975, the first two floors were leased and renovated by the law firm then known as Cook, Noell, Tolley and Aldridge. Four years later, the firm purchased the entire building from Rep. Stephens, who maintained an office there until 1984.

Cook, Noell, Tolley, Bates & Michael now occupy all three floors of the building. The firm takes great pride in having played a major role in helping save an important part of Athens’ history.