Augusta, the “The Garden City”

Georgia

March 2022

Our Start at Augusta Common

We began our trip at Augusta Common, a small park in the center of downtown. In the middle of the park stands a life-size bronze statue of General James Oglethorpe, the founder of both the Georgia colony and the city of Augusta. Even though the park is a modern addition, it realizes Oglethorpe’s original vision for public community spaces. While the park was peaceful and quiet during our visit, the Common is a regular venue for the city’s major arts and music festivals.

Strolling The Augusta Riverwalk &

We continued our walk on the Riverwalk along the Savannah River. This promenade is built on and alongside the city’s levee system. Today, we got beautiful views of the calm Savannah River and the historic 6th Street Railroad Bridge. As we walked the shaded path, we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere.

A Beacon of African American Heritage

Springfield Village Park commemorates the history of the Springfield Community, a vital center of African American heritage and one of the oldest independent Black settlements in the U.S. Following emancipation, Springfield became a vital center for the educational and political activities of Augusta’s Black citizens. The park’s remarkable statues, the “Tower of Aspiration” and the “And They Went Down Both Into the Water” fountain, are important tributes to this legacy. Together, they symbolize the sacred tradition of baptisms in the Savannah River.

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Exploring Augusta’s Broad Street District

After our quick stop at the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area, a charming National Park Service site described here, we explored the nearby Broad Street Historic District, a 70-acre area that has served as the commercial and financial heart of Augusta since it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Broad Street itself is one of the widest main streets in the United States, and during our visit, it was exploding with colorful, blooming azaleas.

Along the way, in a small park, the city commemorates the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, with a life-sized bronze statue. Just around the corner, another tribute captures his legendary energy in a mural featuring his iconic “Mr. Dynamite” split. We couldn’t miss the Lamar Building, Augusta’s most recognizable skyscraper; completed in 1918, its 1970s glass-walled penthouse creates a striking blend of Neoclassical and Modernist styles. We took a detour from Broad Street to the boyhood home of President Woodrow Wilson, where the 28th U.S. President lived from 1860 to 1870.

Augusta may be famous as the home of the Masters, but we found a town full of soul and color. Seeing every azalea in full bloom, the “Garden City” truly allowed us to embrace that “I feel good” vibe James Brown once sang about.

Date

Wednesday, March 30, 2022