61 Facts About Augusta, Georgia Everyone Should Know

Once the state capital of Georgia, Augusta demonstrates how small city comforts and big living could co-exist in the United States of America.

Situated close to the border of South Carolina, Augusta is one of the perfect places to visit for those who look for southern hospitality and great tourist attractions. Find out lesser-known facts about the city of Augusta, Georgia, by reading further.

Augusta, Georgia, is regarded as the ideal place for southern travelers. The city is famous for its stylish historical mansions, quintessential southern charm, plentiful gardens, and exclusive wedding venues. Visiting Augusta implies visiting great galleries and museums, taking a peaceful walk through the well-designed tree-lined streets as well as relishing renowned southern foods.

The town is also known as a hub of cyber security, biotechnology, and medicine. Augusta is an excellent place for a day trip or weekend getaway. This city is a wonderful place with lots of fun things to do late at night and during the day.

For more than 125 years, hospitality has been at the heart of Augusta, which beats strongly among the innovation and ingenuity of the current thriving and prosperous society.

Before Atlanta became Georgia's capital, Augusta was the capital city of the state. Read on to know about the various tourist attractions in downtown Augusta and other fun facts.

Fun Facts About Augusta Georgia

There are numerous fun facts related to Augusta, Georgia. Some of the most interesting facts about Augusta, Georgia, are as follows:

General James Edward Oglethorpe founded Augusta in 1736.

Augusta has been so-called after Princess Augusta of Wales.

The elites of Augusta lived along the Telfair, Broad, and Greene streets. These people were called Pinch Gut by the others for the corseted women who lived in the area.

Augusta has been the capital of Georgia two different times.

The first medical college of the state was the Medical College of Georgia.

Augusta was claimed as a Resort City in the late 1800s. Guests comprised John D. Rockefeller, Harvey Firestone, and President William H. Taft.

In the late 1800s, Augusta was the second leading inland cotton provider. Memphis, Tennessee, was the leading provider of cotton.

Augusta National Golf Club was built by Bobby Jones and, in 1934, held its first invitational tournament.

Augusta is also known as the Garden City due to the numerous private gardens in the town.

A great fire broke out in 1916 and burned 25 blocks of Augusta, and ruined the town and its citizens.

At least 10 Confederate Generals had either been born or buried in Augusta.

It is rumored that Augusta is the burial place of George Washington's dog.

Augusta is the birthplace of two signatories of the Declaration of Independence.

The oldest newspaper of the south is Augusta Chronicle.

Augusta is the home of both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Georgia Republican Party.

The oldest independently established African-American church, the Springfield Baptist Church, is in Augusta. The meeting is still held on its original site. The Morehouse College also originated in this place.

The city is also the home of the third oldest Episcopal Church. St. Paul's Episcopal Church was constructed in 1749 in Georgia.

The baseball career of Ty Cobb started in 1904 with Augusta Tourists.

Augusta has been the birthplace of novelist Frank Yerby. He studied at Paine College before departing for Europe.

Augusta is the birthplace of Jessye Norman and the renowned Metropolitan Opera star and singer James Brown, known as the Godfather of Soul.

Historical Facts About Augusta

There are several historical facts related to Augusta that will tell you more about the heritage of the city. Some of the most interesting historical facts about Augusta are as follows.

General James Edward Oglethorpe founded Augusta in 1736. He was Georgia’s first governor and ordered the area for Augusta in 1735. Next year, he constructed Fort Augusta for trading fur.

Augusta has probably been named after the British Prince of Wales’s wife, Princess Augusta. Her son became King George III.

Four colonial governors and the representatives of five Native American communities met in Augusta in 1763 to settle trade terms and boundaries.

Fort Augusta was captured by the British during the American Revolution and renamed Fort Cornwallis. Later, the Americans recaptured it.

Augusta served as the government seat of Georgia in the middle of and immediately after the American Revolution.

The establishment of the Augusta Canal played an important role in the economic progress of the country.

Augusta was first considered a city in 1798.

Augusta had been crucial to the Confederacy during the Civil War due to the availability of railroad junctions and the production of gunpowder. The Confederates seized the US Arsenal in 1861 without any violence.

Geographical Facts About Augusta

Some of the most interesting geographical facts about Augusta are as follows:

Augusta is the seat of Richmond County and a city located in eastern Georgia.

It is almost 150 mi (240 km) east of Atlanta on Interstate 20.

The Savannah River acts as the border between Aiken County, South Carolina, and Augusta.

The present population of Augusta is approximately 200,000.

The city serves as the leading business center for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and is home to 41 cities and 13 counties in the eastern part of central Georgia.

Augusta is the second-largest and oldest town of Georgia and was established by the British as a trading station during the colonial period.

The Savannah River flooded its banks in 1908, and due to this, Augusta was seriously damaged. Levee bonds besides the river were allotted in 1912. Currently, Clark Hill Dams and Hartwell protect Augusta from floods.

Augusta shares a common local government with Richmond County. The city administrator manages the day-to-day operations and reports to the County Commission.

Augusta marks the entry to the Georgia Piedmont region and the end of the navigable channel of the Savannah River.

The city has moist sub-tropical weather, with humid and hot summers, mild and short winters, and an extensive diurnal temperature throughout the year, despite its low moisture and elevation.

Things To Do In Augusta, Georgia

Augusta, Georgia, offers innumerable fun things to do for travelers. The most fun things to do in Augusta, Georgia, are given below.

Augusta Museum Of History: Going to this museum is one of the best things to do in Augusta. Augusta Museum of History is one of the best and longest-running museums in Augusta.

The museum was inaugurated in 1937, and its curators have done an excellent job throughout the years to preserve the pride and history of Augusta. So it is one of the most fantastic attractions in the city.

The museum has several exhibitions like Augusta Healthcare and the Transportation Corridor that feature an old and restored gas station, a locomotive, and a trolley car. It is one of the most interesting places to go to in Augusta if you want to look into the past of the city.

Riverwalk: Riverwalk is one of the great tourist attractions in Augusta. It follows the River Savannah, which is among the south’s most attractive water bodies. The visitors could go to this place for a starlit walk with their loved ones or for family fun.

Children love the playground, and couples seem to enjoy holding hands and looking at the water. The Riverwalk shows the reason why Augusta is one of the most stunning places in the United States.  The visitors can go during the day or night, and they can be overwhelmed either way.

James Brown Statue: Soul music would not have been the same without the influence of the singer James Brown. The late singer still resonates with the music fans with his legendary songs. He holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Augusta. This statue is an honor to the hometown hero.

The statue is on Broad Street and is a great outdoor attraction. The statue shows a smiling image of Brown with a microphone in his hands. This statue is one of the finest things for music lovers in Augusta.

Meadow Garden: Meadow Garden was the home of one of the Declaration of Independence signatories, George Walton. Currently, this place is a National Historic Landmark and attracts thousands of visitors to see this famous home.

This place might not be exactly the same as it was built in 1791. But undoubtedly, it is still one of the most significant landmarks of Augusta.

At present, a branch of this place is run by the Daughters of the American Revolutions. Initially, it was a beautiful, humble cottage, but currently, it has turned into a relatively spacious home.

The additions do not seem excessive since they are in the service of history. This place has numerous impressive things to watch, and its role in the history of Augusta could never be overlooked.

Forest Hills Golf Club: It has been called the best public golf course in Augusta. The visitors can expect the city’s great golf experiences that host the masters.

Playing only one hole in this club can make the visitors understand that label. This club holds a legacy in the world of golf. One of the great golfers, Bobby Jones, has played in this club.

The visitors can enjoy the calmness and the scenery and allow every putter’s tap or driver’s swing in a state of clarity and focus. However, playing in this club is a little expensive, but it is undeniably a good use of a session.

Playing in this club is one of the top things to do in Augusta. In terms of golf, it is definitely up to par.

Sacred Heart Cultural Center: At first glance, it might look like just another Catholic church. Although it is partially true since it has been renovated, this building is currently an event center and still as outstanding as when it was first constructed.

This building is over 100 years old, and it strikes out in several ways. The visitors can see its red design and architecture with numerous pinnacles standing proud and high.

There are also significant events in this building, such as the Symphony Orchestra, Augusta’s concerts. It is definitely a sacred part of Augusta. While making a list of activities in downtown Augusta, the visitors must surely include this place. This place is particularly enjoyable for holiday events.

Laurel & Hardy Museum: This museum is located in Harlem, Georgia, close to Augusta, and is dedicated to the two best comedians ever known to the world. If you have never seen Laurel and Hardy’s comedy, you must visit this museum.

Also, if you are not familiar with the two comedians during the visit, all the visitors can still see why they are legendary.

This museum shows the power of fandom since it has been made because of fan donations. The museum also has a theater room where the visitors could watch movies of Laurel and Hardy. The visitors can have heartwarming experiences in the museum since it is side-splitting. This museum is a must-visit place for a fun time in Georgia.