Broad Street Historic District (Augusta, Georgia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Broad Street Historic District
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Lamar Building on Broad Street
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| Location | Broad Street between 5th and 13th Streets, Augusta, Georgia |
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| Area | 70 acres (28 ha) |
| Built | 1780 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Mixed (more Than 2 Styles From Different Periods) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001226 |
| Added to NRHP | April 28, 1980 |
The Broad Street Historic District in Augusta, Georgia is a special area with many old and important buildings. It covers about 70 acres, which is like 70 football fields! This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's officially recognized for its historical value. It includes 158 buildings that help tell the story of Augusta's past.
The historic part of Broad Street runs from 13th Street to 5th Street. It's a very wide street in downtown Augusta. In some parts, there's special parking in the middle of the street. Near 11th Street, the parking area in the middle becomes a shaded, sunken pit. This is where Broad Street is at its widest.
Cool Buildings to See
Broad Street is home to several famous buildings. Many of these have been around for a long time.
- Imperial Theatre: This is a historic theater where you can watch shows.
- Lamar Building: Located at 753 Broad Street, this tall building is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- Miller Theater: This theater reopened in January 2018. It's another great place to see performances.
- News Building: This building is the home of The Augusta Chronicle, Augusta's local newspaper.
The Mystery of the Haunted Pillar
One of the most famous landmarks on Broad Street was the Haunted Pillar. It was a single stone column that stood near 5th and Broad Streets. This spot used to be a farmer's market.
The market was built in 1830. But on February 7, 1878, a powerful tornado destroyed it. Only one pillar was left standing. About a year later, the column was moved to a different corner. It was then used to display advertisements for a local grocery store.
In 1930, the city of Augusta wanted to attract more tourists. They hired a company to create an advertising campaign. This company decided to publish a ghost story about the pillar in newspapers across the country. They called it "The Haunted Pillar."
According to local stories, a preacher was once not allowed to speak at the market. He then warned that a strong wind would destroy the place. He said only one pillar would remain. The legend also claimed that anyone who tried to move this pillar would be struck dead!
The old market was right in the middle of Broad Street. After it was destroyed, people were hesitant to build there again. An article in The Augusta Chronicle after the tornado said the market was "unsightly." It suggested it should not be rebuilt in the same spot.
Sadly, on December 17, 2016, the famous pillar was destroyed in a car accident.
