Augusta, Georgia

Official name	Augusta, Georgia
Nickname	The Garden City
Settlement type	Consolidated city
Motto	We Feel Good!
Blank emblem type	City seal and logo
Map caption	Location of consolidated Augusta–Richmond County (red) within Richmond County, and location of Richmond County within the U.S. state of Georgia
Pushpin map
Pushpin label position
Coordinates region	US-GA
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Georgia
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Richmond County
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Deke Copenhaver
Leader title1	Administrator
Leader name1	Frederick L. Russell
Established title	Established
Established date	1736
Established title2	City-county consolidation
Established date2	1996
Elevation m	45
Elevation ft	136
Postal code type	ZIP codes
Postal code	30901, 30904, 30906, 30907, 30909, 30912, 30815
Area code	706, 762
Website	AugustaGA.gov
Footnotes	|

Augusta (also known as Augusta–Richmond County) is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. The city of Augusta and Richmond County governments merged operations in 1996; as of the 2010 Census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.

Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area, which as of 2009 had an estimated population of 539,154, making it both the second-largest city and the second-largest metro area in the state after Atlanta, as well as the 117th-largest city in the United States. Internationally, Augusta is best known for hosting The Masters Tournament each spring, and for being the hometown of funk/soul singer James Brown.

History

The area along the river was long inhabited by varying cultures of indigenous peoples, who relied on the river for fish, water and transportation. The site of Augusta was used by Native Americans as a place to cross the Savannah River, because of its location on the fall line.

In 1735, two years after James Oglethorpe founded Savannah, he sent a detachment of troops to explore up the Savannah River. He gave them an order to build at the head of the navigable part of the river. The expedition was led by Noble Jones, who created the settlement to provide a first line of defense against the Spanish and the French. Oglethorpe named the town Augusta, in honour of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, the Princess of Waters, daughter-in-law of King George II of Great Britain and mother of King George III of Great Britain. Augusta was the second state capital of Georgia from 1785 until 1795 (alternating for a period with Savannah, the first).

Augusta, Georgia saw many periods of lawlessness from City and State Officials through it's history. The late 1960s and early 1970s earned Augusta's police Department a special place through overt use of force and "questionable" deaths. Charles Oatman, a 16 year old mentally challenged Black teen was brutally killed while in Police custody. Police officials reported Oatman fell off his bed and died. Forensic reports reported the teen had been beaten and then burned with cigarette butts. The Augusta Police changed their story but it was too late. A rally led by Rev. A.D. Sims followed in Downtown Augusta leading Police to once again over react and attack people and randomly shooting 6 unarmed Black men, all in the back. Georgia Governor Lester Maddox was accused of over reacting as he stated that Police should raise ”any building they’re in to its very foundation if necessary to get them out” (Southern Regional Council, Pg 25 & 26). No Police officers, National Guard, State or City officials were ever accused of negligence in this unfortunate Racial incident. The Interracial Human Relations Committee was formed soon after to monitor Police and policies not protecting the human rights of Augusta's majority Black population. the IHRC still exists today.

Geography

US-1 overpass in North Augusta, South Carolina]]Augusta is located on the Georgia/South Carolina border, about 150 miles (241 kilometers) east of Atlanta. The city is located at (33.470, −81.975).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Augusta-Richmond County balance has a total area of . of it is land and of it (1.42%) is water.

and the Augusta Canal, with River Watch Parkway and residential areas in foreground]]Augusta is located about halfway up the Savannah River on the fall line, which creates a number of small falls on the river. The city marks the end of a navigable waterway for the river and the entry to the Georgia Piedmont area.

The Clarks Hill Dam is built on the fall line near Augusta, forming Clarks Hill Lake. Further downstream, near the border of Columbia County, is the Stevens Creek Dam, which generates hydroelectric power. Further downstream is the Augusta Diversion Dam, which marks the beginning of the Augusta Canal and channels Savannah River waters into the canal.

Climate

According to Köppen classification, Augusta has a humid subtropical climate. The city experiences mild winters and a humid summer. The average high temperature for the summer months is 90.6 °F (32.6 °C). Summer daytime temperatures can soar to 100 or above. The average low temperature is 67.8 °F (19.9 °C). The average high temperature for the winter months is 58.9 °F (14.9 °C); the average low temperature is 34.4 °F (1.3 °C).

Snowfall is not nearly as common as in Atlanta, due largely to Augusta's elevation, with downtown Augusta being about 900 feet lower than downtown Atlanta. Still, snow flurries are typically seen annually. Freezing rain is also a threat in wintertime.

Demographics

In the official 2010 census, Augusta–Richmond County has 195,844 people. In the 2000 census, the population was 195,182 and 73,920 households. The population density was 616.6 people per square mile (249.4/km²)(2000).

Along with Georgia Health Sciences University, the city's three largest employers include the Savannah River Site (a Department of Energy nuclear facility) and the U.S. Army Signal Center at Fort Gordon. Despite layoffs from several companies during the U.S. economic recession and a relatively high state unemployment rate, the Augusta Community has experienced a decrease in bankruptcy filings and a slight decrease in the unemployment rate from late 2009 to March 2011.

Companies that have facilities, headquarters or distribution centers in Augusta include CareSouth, T-Mobile, Solo Cup Company, Automatic Data Processing, International Paper, NutraSweet, Teleperformance, Sitel Corporation, E-Z-GO, Elanco, Club Car (Worldwide Headquarters), John Deere, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg's and Delta Air Lines baggage call center.

Sports

Teams

Augusta is home to the Augusta Greenjackets minor league baseball club. The team began play in 1988 as the Augusta Pirates, affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Later affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, the Greenjackets are with the San Francisco Giants. The team is owned by Cal Ripken Jr.

The city's ECHL hockey team, the Augusta Lynx, disbanded in December 2008.

The Southern Professional Hockey League would expand to Augusta starting in the 2010–2011 season. The Augusta Riverhawks was the winning name of the new team, the result of a "Name the Team" contest announced on March 13, 2010.

Augusta also has its own all female flat track roller derby team, The Soul City Sirens. Founded in 2008, this league is all volunteer and skater owned.

{|class="wikitable" !Club !Sport !League !Venue |- |Augusta GreenJackets |Baseball |South Atlantic League |Lake Olmstead Stadium |- |Augusta Riverhawks |Ice Hockey |Southern Professional Hockey League |James Brown Arena |- |Soul City Sirens |Roller Derby | |Red Wing Rollerway |}

Tournaments

at the practice rounds for the 2006 Masters Tournament]] The city’s famous golf course, the Augusta National Golf Club, hosts the first major golf tournament of each year, The Masters. This tournament is one of the most prestigious in the sport and is one of the four major championships. The best professional and amateur golfers in the world come to Augusta during the first full week of April every year. The grounds of Augusta National are known for being pristine, and the course was ranked in 2009 as the 3rd best golf course in the world by Golf Magazine.

The city also has disc golf facilities. The Augusta Top Gun Series is a series of tournaments sanctioned by the Professional Disc Golf Association. These tournaments are held at various venues in Augusta, including Pendleton King Park and Lake Olmstead. Also, Augusta hosted the 2006 Professional Disc Golf World Championships. Along with Pendleton King and Lake Olmstead, two courses in N. Augusta, SC were used for the tournament. 299 disc golfers from around the world attended the event, with Ken Climo winning the tournament and his 12th world championship.

Augusta is the host of the World's Richest Drag Boat Race, held on the Savannah River (Augusta Southern Nationals). The race is part of the IHBA Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series and is sanctioned by the International Hot Boat Association (held on July 18–20). The event benefits the Augusta Chapter of the Georgia Special Olympics. Over 100 racing teams from 25 states will compete for $140,000 in purse and prizes as they try to beat the record of 252.94 MPH in the ‘World’s Richest Drag Boat Race”.

Parks and recreation

Riverwalk Augusta — riverfront park along and on top of city's levee

Augusta Common — green space linking Broad St. to Reynolds St., with statue of James Oglethorpe

Augusta Canal — historic canal with bike/pedestrian path

Aqueduct Park — lagoon converted into park and swimming site by volunteers

Phinizy Swamp Nature Park — wetlands park with pedestrian/bike paths and boardwalks

Diamond Lakes Regional Park — park in south Richmond County

Brookfield Park — public park featuring a playground, putting green, pedestrian/bike path, and a fountain in which children can play

Government

In 1995, the citizens of Augusta and unincorporated Richmond County voted to consolidate their city and county governments. Citizens of Hephzibah and Blythe, Georgia, also located in Richmond County, decided to maintain separate governments. Augusta and Richmond County's consolidation took effect January 1, 1996, with the city and county merging operations. The consolidated government consists of a mayor and 10 commissioners. Eight commissioners represent specific districts, while the other two represent super districts that represents half of the county's population respectively.

Education

, with belltower in foreground.]]

Colleges and universities

Augusta State University (state university)

Augusta Technical College (state technical college)

Georgia Health Sciences University (state university)

Paine College (private, Methodist historically black college)

Georgia Military College (public-independent liberal arts junior college)

K-12 schools

Public K-12 schools in Augusta are managed by the Richmond County School System. The system has eight high schools, 10 middle schools, 36 elementary schools, and four magnet schools, — including C. T. Walker Traditional Magnet School, A. R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet High School, and Davidson Fine Arts.

Private schools in Augusta include Aquinas High School, Episcopal Day School, St. Mary on the Hill School, Immaculate Conception School, Curtis Baptist School, Gracewood Baptist First Academy, Alleluia Community School, New Life Christian Academy, and Westminster Schools of Augusta. Augusta Christian School, Augusta First Seventh-day Adventist School, and Augusta Preparatory Day School serve Augusta, but are located in neighboring Martinez, Georgia.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Augusta is linked to Atlanta to the west and Columbia, South Carolina, to the east by Interstate 20. Interstate 520 (Bobby Jones Expressway) runs from I-20 Exit 196 through Augusta's western and southern suburban areas, eventually crossing the Savannah River to South Carolina where it becomes the Palmetto Parkway.

U.S. and state routes: Interstate 20 (I-20) Interstate 520 (I-520) — Bobby Jones Expressway U.S. Route 1 — Deans Bridge Road (from Jefferson County line to Gordon Highway), Gordon Highway (from Deans Bridge Road to state line) U.S. Route 25 — Peach Orchard Road (entire length), Gordon Highway (from Peach Orchard Road to state line) U.S. Route 78 / U.S. Route 278 / State Route 10 — Gordon Highway State Route 4 — follows U.S. Highway 1 from Jefferson County line to Gordon Highway, leaves Georgia at 13th Street bridge State Route 28 — various roads, including John C. Calhoun Expressway and Washington Road State Route 56 — Mike Padgett Highway State Route 88 in south Richmond County State Route 104 — River Watch Parkway State Route 232 — Bobby Jones Expressway west of I-20 State Route 383 — Jimmie Dyess Parkway State Route 540 (Fall Line Freeway) — Deans Bridge Road from I-520 to Jefferson County line State Route 555 (Savannah River Parkway) — Peach Orchard Road from I-520 to Burke County line

Parts of Augusta are served by city transit service Augusta Public Transit (APT), but the main mode of transportation within the city is by car. The city has two airports: Augusta Regional Airport and Daniel Field Airport. Augusta is also served by a number of Taxi companies.

Sister cities

Biarritz, France Takarazuka, Japan

See also

Arts and culture in Augusta, Georgia

List of mayors of Augusta, Georgia

List of people from Augusta, Georgia

Media in Augusta, Georgia

Medical District (Augusta)

Old Government House (Augusta)

Summerville (Augusta)

Footnotes

External links

AugustaGA.gov — official website

Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau

Augusta Economic Development Authority Homepage

Augusta Tomorrow

Downtown Augusta Alliance

Downtown Development Authority

Category:Populated places established in 1735 Category:Cities in Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia Category:Richmond County, Georgia Category:County seats in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Populated places in Georgia (U.S. state) with African American majority populations Category:Census balances in the United States Category:Augusta – Richmond County metropolitan area Category:Consolidated city–counties in the United States