Timeline of Augusta, Georgia facts for kids

Augusta, Georgia, is a city in the United States with a long and interesting past. This timeline will show you some of the most important events that have shaped Augusta from its early days to today. It's like a historical journey through time, highlighting key moments in the city's development.

Augusta's Early Years: The 1700s

• 1740 – A "highway" was built connecting Augusta to Savannah. This made travel and trade easier.
• 1750 – St. Paul's Church was started.
• 1779 – January 29: British forces took control of Augusta during the American Revolutionary War.
• 1780 – Augusta became the capital city of Georgia for a time.
• 1781
  • April 16: American forces began a siege to take Augusta back from the British.
  • May: American forces captured Fort Grierson, which was held by the British.
• 1785 – The Academy of Richmond County opened, providing education for young people.
• 1789
  • The town of Augusta officially became an incorporated town.
  • The The Augusta Chronicle newspaper started being published.
• 1790
  • A Baptist Church for African Americans was established.
  • The Government House was built.
• 1791
  • May: The first U.S. president, George Washington, visited Augusta.
  • A bridge was built across the Savannah River, making it easier to cross.
• 1792 – John Milton became the mayor of Augusta.
• 1795 – Meadow Garden was built. It was the summer home of George Walton, who was the youngest person to sign the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Augusta in the 1800s: Growth and Change

• 1802 – Wray's drug store opened for business.
• 1805 – A Methodist church was built around this time.
• 1808 – The Library Company and Thespian Society were founded.
• 1810 – The Bank of Augusta was established.
• 1812 – The First Presbyterian Church was built.
• 1815 – A Catholic church was built around this time.
• 1817 – Augusta officially became an incorporated city.
• 1818 – Magnolia Cemetery began to be used.
• 1819 – The Augusta Arsenal was built.
• 1820 – The First Baptist Church was built.
• 1821
  • The town of Hamburg was established in South Carolina, just across the river from Augusta.
  • The Free School Society, a charity, was formed.
• 1822 – The Medical Society was incorporated.
• 1824 – The City Hall building was completed.
• 1825 – Lafayette, a French hero of the American Revolution, visited Augusta.
• 1827 – The Library Society was founded.
• 1828
  • The Medical Academy of Georgia was founded.
  • A Unitarian church was built.
• 1829 – April 3: A large fire occurred in the city.
• 1830 – The city's population reached 6,710 people.
• 1833 – A railway connecting Augusta to Charleston began operating.
• 1836 – Another fire, known as the Broad Street fire, happened.
• 1837
  • The Georgia Railroad started operating between Augusta and Berzelia.
  • The Augusta Chronicle & Sentinel newspaper began publication.
• 1840 – A yellow fever epidemic affected the city.
• 1845 – The Southern Baptist Convention was founded at a meeting held in Augusta.
• 1847 – The Augusta Canal was built.
• 1848
  • The Young Men's Library Association was formed.
  • The Signers Monument was dedicated.
• 1850 – The population grew to 9,448 people.
• 1854
  • The Augusta and Savannah Railroad began operating.
  • Another yellow fever epidemic occurred.
• 1858 – Fruitland Nurseries opened for business.
• 1860 – The population reached 12,493 people.
• 1861 – January 24: Confederate forces from Georgia took control of the U.S. arsenal.
• 1862
  • The Confederate Powderworks began operating.
  • St. Patrick's Church was built.
• 1863 – April: A new type of wanted poster with a photo was introduced.
• 1864 – January: A major flood hit the city.
• 1865
  • The U.S. Army took control of the city.
  • The Colored American newspaper began publication.
• 1866 – State Freedmen's Conventions were held in Augusta.
• 1867 – The Augusta Institute (which later became Morehouse College) was established.
• 1869
  • An "iron works factory" opened.
  • A synagogue was built.
• 1870 – The Cotton States Mechanics and Agricultural Fair was held in Augusta.
• 1877 – The Augusta Evening News began publication.
• 1878 – The Augusta Confederate Monument was dedicated.
• 1879 – The Augusta Institute moved from Augusta to Atlanta.
• 1880 – The population grew to 21,891 people.
• 1882 – The Paine Institute was established.
• 1886 – The Haines Normal and Industrial Institute was founded.
• 1890 – The Augusta Herald newspaper began publication.
• 1892 – The Negro Press Association of Georgia was formed during a meeting in Augusta.
• 1894 – The Buffalo kindergarten opened.

Augusta in the 1900s: Modern Times Begin

• 1900 – The population reached 39,441 people.
• 1908 – Another flood occurred.
• 1909 – The Church of the Immaculate Conception was established.
• 1910 – The Springfield Baptist Church was built.
• 1912
  • Yet another flood hit the city.
  • A "street railway strike" took place.
  • Summerville became part of Augusta.
• 1916
  • A major fire, known as the Augusta Fire, happened.
  • A levee and the United States Post Office and Courthouse were built.
• 1917 – U.S. military camps, Camp Gordon and Camp Hancock, were established near Augusta.
• 1918 – The Imperial Theatre opened.
• 1919 – The city's "first paved four-lane highway" opened.
• 1926 – The Junior College of Augusta was established.
• 1933 – The Augusta Museum and the Augusta National Golf Club were established.
• 1934
  • The C.T. Walker Traditional Magnet School was established.
  • WRDW radio began broadcasting.
• 1935 – The city celebrated its 200th anniversary.
• 1937 – August: A blood drive was organized.
• 1940 – The Augusta Drive-In cinema opened for business.
• 1945 – September 15: Future opera star Jessye Norman was born in Augusta.
• 1948 – The city adopted a city manager form of government.
• 1949 – Lucy Craft Laney High School was established.
• 1950 – Bush Field began operating as a civilian airport.
• 1953 – WJBF-TV (television) began broadcasting.
• 1954 – WRDW-TV (television) began broadcasting.
• 1961 – The Augusta Area Vocational-Technical School was founded.
• 1970 – May 11–13: There was racial unrest in the city.
• 1978 – The Augusta Mall opened for business.
• 1996 – The City of Augusta joined with Richmond County to form Augusta-Richmond County.
• 1997 – April 24: African-American golfer Tiger Woods, at age 21, won the 1997 Masters Tournament.

Augusta in the 2000s: The New Millennium

• 2005 – John Barrow became the U.S. representative for Georgia's 12th congressional district.
• 2010 – The population reached 195,844 people.
• 2014 – An ice storm hit the area.
• 2015
  • Hardie Davis became the mayor of Augusta.
  • Rick W. Allen became the U.S. representative for Georgia's 12th congressional district.