Augusta, the “The Garden City”
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.
xx
