Did You Know? Augusta Facts from 1900-1949

1. The Augusta National Golf Club hosted its first Masters Tournament in 1934, solidifying its place in golf history.

2. Completed in 1913, the Lamar Building became one of the first skyscrapers to define Augusta’s downtown skyline.

3. James Brown, the legendary “Godfather of Soul,” was born in Augusta in 1927, and he grew up in the city before achieving global fame.

4. During World War II, the Augusta Arsenal was reactivated in 1941 to support the war effort by producing munitions.

5. The Medical College of Georgia expanded in 1914, continuing to shape the medical landscape in the South.

6. The Imperial Theatre, which opened in 1916, became Augusta’s central venue for films, vaudeville acts, and other live performances.

7. After the conclusion of World War II, Augusta held a large Victory Parade in 1945, celebrating the return of local soldiers.

8. Camp Hancock was established in 1917 to train soldiers for World War I, drawing thousands of military personnel to Augusta.

9. Founded in 1908, Augusta State University began as the Junior College of Augusta, one of the first public colleges in Georgia.

10. Broad Street was widened and repaved in 1924, transforming it into a major commercial artery for the growing city.

11. In 1931, the Savannah River Flood caused significant destruction in Augusta, prompting the construction of levees and flood control systems.

12. The Augusta Country Club, established in 1909, became one of the city’s most prestigious social institutions.

13. Fort Gordon was created in 1942, serving as a major training base during World War II and later continuing as a key military installation.

14. In 1933, Augusta’s aging streetcar system was replaced by a city-wide bus line, modernizing public transportation.

15. Public electric streetlights were introduced to downtown Augusta in 1910, illuminating the streets for increased safety.

16. The Richmond County Courthouse, a symbol of justice, was completed in 1930 and continues to serve the area today.

17. First Baptist Church of Augusta unveiled its new sanctuary in 1943, adding to the city’s architectural landmarks.

18. The Augusta Symphony Orchestra began performing in 1929, enriching the city’s cultural life with classical music.

19. Lucy Craft Laney, a pioneering educator, founded the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute in 1912, leaving a legacy in Augusta’s African American education.

20. The Augusta Chronicle celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1946, cementing its legacy as one of the nation’s oldest newspapers.

21. The Spanish Flu pandemic hit Augusta in 1918, overwhelming local hospitals and affecting many residents.

22. The Augusta Canal was upgraded in 1903 to generate hydroelectric power, supporting the industrial growth of the city.

23. In 1949, Daniel Field Airport transitioned to commercial service, connecting Augusta to other U.S. cities.

24. The Bon Air Hotel expanded its facilities in 1913, attracting visitors from all over the country with its luxury accommodations.

25. WRDW-AM, Augusta’s first commercial radio station, began broadcasting in 1939, providing news and entertainment to the region.

26. The city of Augusta implemented a city manager form of government in 1947, improving its administrative efficiency.

27. Augusta’s Municipal Golf Course was completed in 1927, offering affordable recreation to the public.

28. Augusta Junior College relocated to its current site on Walton Way in 1937, expanding its campus and programs.

29. Sacred Heart Catholic Church completed its sanctuary in 1911, adding to Augusta’s rich religious heritage.

30. Founded in 1906, the Augusta Museum of History became the city’s premier institution for preserving local history.

31. The Augusta Futurity, one of the region’s top horse shows, was established in 1932 and continues to attract equestrian enthusiasts.

32. The Lyman Hall Building was constructed in 1915 on the Medical College of Georgia campus, furthering medical education.

33. John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School opened in 1944, establishing itself as a top institution for arts education in Augusta.

34. The Augusta Fire Department modernized its fleet with motorized fire engines in 1917, becoming one of the first to do so in Georgia.

35. In 1940, Union Station in Augusta underwent modernization to accommodate growing passenger traffic.

36. The Augusta Red Sox, a minor league baseball team, played their first season in 1919, adding to the city’s sports scene.

37. In 1921, the Augusta National Cemetery was expanded, providing more space for veterans and military burials.

38. The Augusta Civic Center was completed in 1935, becoming the city’s venue for large-scale public events, concerts, and conventions.

39. Augusta’s first public hospital for African Americans, Lamar Hospital, opened in 1928, addressing healthcare inequalities.

40. In 1914, Augusta opened its first public high school, providing secondary education for the city’s youth.

41. Augusta College earned its accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1941.

42. The Augusta River Festival was first held in 1920, becoming a popular annual event celebrating the city’s connection to the Savannah River.

43. Pilgrim Health and Life Insurance Company, Augusta’s first black-owned bank, was founded in 1939, supporting the financial needs of the African American community.

44. Fort Gordon underwent significant expansion during World War II, making it one of the largest military training facilities in the Southeast.

45. The Augusta trolley system was replaced by buses in 1925, marking the modernization of the city’s public transit.

46. The Augusta Arsenal was decommissioned as a military facility in 1910, later being repurposed for educational use.

47. The first Victory Garden was planted in Augusta in 1943, encouraging residents to grow their own food during World War II.

48. The Augusta Symphony held its inaugural concert in 1936 at the Imperial Theatre, marking the start of its cultural contributions.

49. The Augusta Public Library opened its new location on Telfair Street in 1916, offering expanded services to the community.

50. Augusta completed its first paved highways in 1926, connecting the city to other parts of Georgia and beyond.

51. Daniel Field Airport served as a U.S. Army Air Corps training base in World War II and became a commercial airport in 1941.

52. In 1907, the Augusta Canal was recognized as a National Historic Landmark, acknowledging its significance to the city’s industry.

53. May Park, one of Augusta’s oldest public parks, was expanded in 1945, offering new recreational facilities.

54. In 1933, the Augusta Junior College added night classes, providing greater access to higher education for working students.

55. Augusta’s National Guard was activated in 1920 to assist law enforcement during Prohibition, helping to curb illegal activities.

56. The city expanded its water system in 1915, providing cleaner and more reliable water for residents.

57. Broad Street was expanded in 1931 to accommodate the increasing number of automobiles, transforming it into a major commercial street.

58. Augusta’s medical community was an early leader in public health initiatives, such as vaccination and sanitation, starting in 1919.

59. Richmond Academy marked its 150th anniversary in 1946, continuing its long tradition of education.

60. In 1902, Augusta held its first Labor Day Parade, celebrating workers’ rights and the city’s growing labor movement.

61. The first public swimming pool in Augusta opened in 1930, providing a new recreational option for residents.

62. Augusta hosted its first flower show in 1910, drawing participants and visitors from across the region.

63. In 1937, the Augusta Housing Authority was formed to address the city’s need for affordable housing during the Great Depression.

64. The King Mill, a major textile mill in Augusta, expanded in 1925, becoming one of the largest cotton producers in the region.

65. In 1918, Augusta’s City Hospital was expanded to accommodate the increasing population and demand for medical care during the Spanish Flu pandemic.

66. Augusta’s first radio station, WRDW-AM, began broadcasting in 1930, delivering news and entertainment to the city’s residents.

67. The Augusta Municipal Golf Course, known as “The Patch,” hosted its first major golf tournament in 1929.

68. Augusta’s first airport, Daniel Field, was built in 1924, providing the city with a local hub for air travel.

69. In 1935, Richmond Academy became one of the first schools in the Southeast to establish a formal athletic program, laying the foundation for its strong sports tradition.

70. Augusta’s African American community thrived during the early 20th century, with numerous Black-owned businesses and institutions developing along Laney-Walker Boulevard by 1940.

71. In 1915, the Augusta Public Library hosted its first summer reading program, encouraging literacy among children in the community.

72. The Augusta Cotton Exchange, which played a pivotal role in the city’s economy, moved to its new building in 1902.

73. In 1944, Fort Gordon was established as a major training facility for the U.S. Army Signal Corps, a role it continues to play today.

74. In 1916, the first Boy Scout Troop was formed in Augusta, offering youth programs still active today.

75. Augusta’s first Jewish synagogue, Congregation Children of Israel, built a new temple in 1921, contributing to the city’s religious variations.

76. In 1928, the Augusta Water Works expanded its filtration plant, providing the city with cleaner water.

77. The Augusta City Council passed its first zoning laws in 1941, shaping the future development of the city.

78. In 1905, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office hired its first female deputy, pioneering gender equality in law enforcement.

79. Augusta’s first community hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, opened in 1946, expanding healthcare access to the city’s residents.

80. The Augusta Bridge, spanning the Savannah River, was rebuilt in 1917 after the previous structure was destroyed in a flood.

81. In 1941, Coca-Cola Bottling Company opened its first Augusta facility, marking the city’s growing role in the beverage industry.

82. The Imperial Theatre, built in 1918, became Augusta’s main entertainment venue, hosting both silent films and live performances.

83. In 1936, the Paine College football team won the state championship, boosting the school’s athletic reputation.

84. The first traffic signals were installed in downtown Augusta in 1925, improving the flow of vehicles through the growing city.

85. In 1913, the Augusta Colored Hospital was founded, providing essential medical services to African American residents during segregation.

86. In 1947, Augusta established its first public housing projects, offering affordable living options for low-income families.

87. In 1930, the Augusta YMCA expanded its downtown location, becoming a key community center for youth and adults.

88. Augusta’s first radio tower was built in 1939, boosting signal strength and allowing for clearer broadcasts.

89. The Augusta Lions Club, founded in 1922, became one of the city’s most active civic organizations, contributing to numerous local causes.

90. In 1949, Augusta’s downtown business district experienced a significant revitalization, with new shops and businesses opening along Broad Street.

91. In 1911, the Medical College of Georgia opened a new hospital wing, expanding its services and research capabilities.

92. The Augusta Public Library celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1925, marking a quarter century of service to the community.

93. In 1942, the first Victory Gardens were planted in Augusta as part of the war effort, encouraging citizens to grow their own food.

94. The Bon Air Hotel, a luxury destination in the city, expanded its grounds in 1913, catering to the growing tourism industry.

95. In 1937, the city’s first public works department was established, improving infrastructure and city services.

96. The Augusta Red Sox, a minor league baseball team, played their last season in 1940, before disbanding.

97. The Telfair Street Bridge, a key crossing over the Savannah River, was rebuilt in 1945, modernizing transportation infrastructure.

98. In 1919, the Augusta Rotary Club was founded, becoming one of the city’s most influential service organizations.

99. In 1943, the Augusta Arsenal produced weapons and munitions to support the U.S. military’s efforts in World War II.

100. The Richmond County Courthouse, completed in 1930, became a hub for legal proceedings and government functions in the region.