Augusta, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Augusta, New York
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Entering the town of Augusta along the Madison County line and County Route 11.
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Location in Oneida County and the state of New York.
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Oneida |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 27.68 sq mi (71.70 km2) |
| • Land | 27.68 sq mi (71.70 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 919 ft (280 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 2,020 |
| • Estimate
(2016)
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2,041 |
| • Density | 73.73/sq mi (28.47/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
13425
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| Area code(s) | 315 |
| FIPS code | 36-03155 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0978696 |
Augusta is a small town in Oneida County, New York, United States. It's located in the southwestern part of the county. In 2020, about 2,021 people lived there.
Contents
Exploring Augusta's Past
Augusta was first settled in 1793 by a man named Gunn. His son, Peter Smith Gunn, was the very first child born in the town.
Early Settlers and Families
After Gunn, more people came to Augusta. Benjamin Warren, David Morton, and John Alden were among them. By August 1793, about 23 people lived in the area.
In 1794 and 1795, families like the Allens, Amos Parker (a Revolutionary War veteran), and the Spaffords arrived. More families, including the Holmes and Manchester families, came in 1796.
Many families from Washington, Connecticut, settled in 1797. These included the Durkees, Smiths, and Parmalees. In 1798, Andrew McMillan arrived from New Hampshire. His son, also named Andrew, later became a school superintendent. The first store opened in town that same year.
Josiah Cook came from Massachusetts in 1799. The area where he settled was first called "Cook's Corners." It was later renamed Knox's Corners and then Knoxboro. Charles Putnam, another Revolutionary War veteran, built the town's first timber barn.
How Augusta's Land Was Formed
The land that makes up Augusta came from different sources:
- Peter Smith Tract: This was a large area of 60,000 acres. Peter Smith leased parts of it to settlers.
- Stockbridge Indian Reservation: A part of this 4,000-acre area became part of Augusta.
- Chenango Twenty Towns: A small piece of land bought from the Six Nations in 1788.
- Oneida Reservation: Land sold by the Oneida Indians to New York State in 1795.
Becoming an Official Town
The town of Augusta was officially created on March 15, 1798. This happened at the same time Oneida County was formed. Augusta was made from a part of the town of Whitestown.
The first town meeting was held on April 3, 1798. People were chosen for important roles. These included the Town supervisor, Town Clerk, and Assessors.
A small part of Augusta was later used to form the new town of Vernon in 1802.
How Augusta Got Its Name
The town was named Augusta to honor General Augustus Van Horn. This name was chosen after a deal was made for a new military hat!
Augusta's Early Businesses
Early settlers built important businesses in Augusta:
- Mills: James Cassety built a sawmill in 1794 and a gristmill in 1796. These mills used the water from Oriskany Creek to power their machines.
- Tannery: Aaron Burley built a tannery in 1816. This was a place where animal hides were turned into leather.
- Hotel: A hotel was built around 1836 by John Stebbins.
- Factories: A foundry (for metal casting) and a machine-shop were built in 1853. A yarn factory opened in 1865.
Roads and Canals
Transportation was very important for Augusta's growth:
- Plank Roads: These were roads made of wooden planks. One was built in 1848 connecting Deansville (now Deansboro) and Hamilton. Another connected Rome and Madison in 1850.
- Chenango Canal: This canal was built between 1834 and 1836. It connected the Erie Canal in Utica to the Susquehanna River. It helped transport coal from Pennsylvania.
- Railroad: The railroad reached Augusta in the late 1860s. A train station was built in Oriskany Falls, a village in Augusta.
Augusta's economy mainly relied on farming, small industries, and quarrying. They had a lot of lime and limestone, which was dug up and sent all over the country.
Important People from Augusta
Some people from Augusta became important in New York State government:
- David I. Ambler (1816–17)
- Winthrop H. Chandler (1827)
- Riley Shepard (1831, 1835)
- David Murray (1843)
Augusta's Geography
Augusta covers about 27.7 square miles (71.7 square kilometers) of land. It doesn't have any large bodies of water within its borders. The southern and western edges of the town form the border with Madison County.
Special Historic Places
The First Congregational Free Church in Augusta is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a very important historical building.
Augusta's Population and People
Augusta has seen its population change over the years. In 2000, there were 1,966 people living in the town. Most people in Augusta are White (97.91%).
About 33.2% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.63 people. The median age in Augusta was 37 years old. This means half the people were younger than 37 and half were older.
The median income for a household in Augusta in 2000 was $33,274. This is the middle income level for families living there.
Places to Know in Augusta
Here are some of the communities and important spots in the town of Augusta:
- Augusta – This is the main village, located on NY 26.
- Five Corners – A place northeast of the Augusta village.
- Knoxboro – A village northwest of Augusta.
- Lloyds Corners – A spot south of Augusta.
- Lyons Mills – A village west of Oriskany Falls.
- Newell Corners – A location west of Lloyds Corners.
- Oriskany Falls – A village in the southeastern part of the town.
- Prospect Hill – A hill located west of Lloyds Corners.
- Wells Corners – A village in the northeastern part of the town.
Famous People from Augusta
- John Jay Knox (1828–1892) – Born in Augusta, he was a famous financier (someone who deals with money) and the United States Comptroller of the Currency.
- Ella Farman Pratt (1837-1907) – Born in Augusta, she was an editor and writer.
- Perry H. Smith (1828-1885) – Born in Augusta, he was a businessman and politician.
See also
In Spanish: Augusta (Nueva York) para niños
