Augusta, Georgia – The Garden City
Nestled on the western banks of the Savannah River, Augusta, Georgia, stands as a testament to the rich tapestry of American history and Southern charm. Founded in 1736, it holds the distinction of being the second town established in the 13th British colony of Georgia. The genesis of Augusta is intertwined with the vision of General James Edward Oglethorpe, the colony’s founder, who strategically chose its location at the head of navigation on the Savannah River. Oglethorpe’s foresight envisioned Augusta as a vital interior trading post, facilitating the exchange of furs and commodities with Native American tribes, thereby fostering economic competition with the existing New Savannah Town outpost across the river in South Carolina.
The story of Augusta, Georgia – The Garden City begins with a pragmatic purpose: to establish a thriving trade hub. This vision quickly materialized, attracting traders from South Carolina who recognized the strategic advantage of the new settlement. By 1739, a fort was erected, providing security and stability, while Noble Jones, the colony’s official surveyor, meticulously laid out the town’s infrastructure. The colonial plan, while similar to that of Savannah, possessed its unique character. Augusta’s design centered on a large square or plaza, surrounded by four streets deep and three streets wide, creating a structured and organized urban space. Fort Augusta stood adjacent to the 40 town lots on the west side, close to the river, providing both protection and access to vital trade routes. The naming of two original streets after Georgia’s colonial governors, Reynolds Street and Ellis Street, immortalized their contributions to the city’s formative years. These streets remain prominent features of Downtown Augusta, anchoring the Broad Street and Pinched Gut Historic Districts.
As Augusta blossomed as a trading post, the influx of traders brought families, fostering a desire for a more refined and civilized atmosphere. This led to the establishment of a church in 1749, with Georgia petitioning the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel for a minister. The arrival of Reverend Jonathan Copp in 1751 marked a significant milestone, as he commenced conducting services according to the rites of the Church of England. In 1756, Georgia was divided into parishes, and the Augusta District fell under St. Paul’s Parish, transforming the Augusta church into St. Paul’s Church, a cornerstone of the community’s spiritual and social life.
The French and Indian War brought a wave of refugees seeking shelter within the walls of Fort Augusta and the church. The conflict took its toll, causing significant damage to the church building, necessitating its replacement in the 1760s. Soldiers returning from the war spread tales of fertile lands, enticing new settlers to Augusta in the early 1770s. Many of these newcomers were former tobacco planters from Virginia and the Carolinas, who brought their expertise and transformed Georgia into a major tobacco producer. The Ezekiel Harris House, built around 1797, stands as a testament to this era, a reminder of the nearly forgotten significance of tobacco in Georgia’s economic history.
Augusta, Georgia – The Garden City played a crucial role in the American Revolution, serving as one of the westernmost towns in the 13 British colonies. The city witnessed two pivotal battles. The first, the Siege of the White House, resulted in the tragic hanging of 13 patriot soldiers by Tory forces under Colonel Thomas Browne. The second, the Siege of Augusta, saw patriot forces, led by General "Light Horse" Harry Lee, successfully retake the town. The British, during their occupation, erected Fort Cornwallis on the site of the former Fort Augusta, tragically destroying St. Paul’s Church in the process. After the Revolution, a new church, serving all denominations, was built between 1786 and 1789. This structure stood until 1820. The present building, the fifth on the site, dates back to 1918, a testament to the city’s resilience after a devastating fire in 1916.
In the aftermath of the Revolution, Augusta briefly served as the temporary capital of Georgia from 1786 to 1795, attracting prominent government leaders. Among them was George Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who established his home, Meadow Garden, on the outskirts of town. Walton held numerous important positions, including governor and judge. Walton Way, a major thoroughfare through the Summerville Historic District, bears his name. In 1799, Christopher Fitzsimmons, a Charleston shipbuilder, built the Fitzsimmons-Hampton House on Sand Bar Ferry Road. Henry Turknett resided at College Hill, a 1790s house on property once owned by George Walton, who envisioned the University of Georgia being built there. Turknett Springs, located behind the house, provided Augusta’s first municipal drinking water.
The town continued to expand under the governance of the Trustees of the Academy of Richmond County. A highlight of this period was President George Washington’s visit in 1791. Legend says that Augustans planted a large ginkgo tree in his honor at the proposed site of the Richmond County Courthouse.
Augusta’s first suburb, Springfield, developed on lands confiscated from James Grierson, a Tory, during the Revolutionary War. A significant population of free African Americans, displaced from the Silver Bluff Plantation in South Carolina, settled in Springfield by 1787, establishing the Springfield Baptist Church, one of the oldest independent black congregations in the United States.
Augusta, Georgia – The Garden City continued its growth, fulfilling the prophecy of naturalist William Bartram. Robert Mills, designed the First Presbyterian Church. Nicholas Ware built Ware’s Folly in 1818.
However, as Georgia expanded westward, Augusta’s economy faced challenges. The Charleston and Hamburg Railroad reached the Savannah River in 1832. In 1833, the Georgia Railroad began building westward from Augusta, eventually leading to the creation of Atlanta. The railroad construction attracted Irish immigrants to Augusta.
While the railroad didn’t guarantee Augusta’s prosperity, other factors played a vital role. The invention of the cotton gin in 1793 transformed Augusta into a major cotton market. The Augusta Canal, constructed in 1845, attracted various industries, making Augusta an industrial center in the South.
Augusta experienced renewed prosperity before the Civil War. The Old Medical College of Georgia, designed by Charles Blaney Cluskey, was built in 1835. The Brahe House, an example of a Sand Hills Cottage, was built in 1850. Summerville became a summer residence for wealthy Augustans.
During the Civil War, the Confederate government established the Confederate States Powder Works on the Augusta Canal in 1862. Augusta served as a major center for the Confederacy, providing essential supplies and hosting religious meetings. The Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home stands as a reminder of this era.
Following the Civil War, Augusta’s economy recovered with the expansion of the Augusta Canal in 1875. The old village of Harrisburg experienced a resurgence. The city annexed the Harrisburg-West End Historic District in 1880.
The Laney-Walker North Historic District became predominantly black due to Jim Crow laws. The Bethlehem Historic District was created exclusively for African Americans.
As Augusta expanded, religious denominations established new congregations in the city’s western end and suburban areas.
By 1887, the Augusta Cotton Exchange had established a permanent headquarters. Cotton warehouses lined Reynolds Street. Mills along the Augusta Canal manufactured cotton goods.
A horse-drawn streetcar was introduced in 1866, connecting various neighborhoods. Electrified streetcars in 1890 spurred Augusta’s tourist industry. The Bon Air Hotel and the Partridge Inn attracted wealthy northerners.
The Augusta National Golf Club, founded in the early 1930s, hosts the Master’s Golf Tournament.
Augusta, Georgia – The Garden City has a rich military history, serving as a refuge during the French and Indian War. The city hosted a United States Arsenal beginning in 1819. During the Civil War, it supported Confederate troops. Camp McKenzie and Camp Hancock were established during the Spanish-American War and World War I, respectively.
In 1940, Camp Gordon was founded near Augusta. After World War II, Augusta became a major military town.
After the war, subdivisions spread, and Camp Gordon became Fort Gordon. The Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Savannah River. The Savannah River Plant was built nearby. These expansions caused downtown Augusta to decline after the opening of shopping malls in 1978.
Today, Augusta’s downtown is revitalizing with shops and restaurants opening on Broad Street. Artists Row and First Friday have stimulated new energy. The Riverwalk and the Augusta Common have become popular attractions. Statues of James Edward Oglethorpe and James Brown adorn the Augusta Common. The city’s rich history, coupled with its vibrant present, makes Augusta, Georgia – The Garden City a captivating destination.