Downtown Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Augusta Chinese and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association

中華公所

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

1. The Augusta Chinese and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association Marker

Inscription. The second half of the nineteenth century saw increased Chinese immigration to the United States to meet the needs of large-scale labor projects. In 1873, Chinese laborers were contracted to expand the Augusta Canal. The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) halted the immigration of Chinese laborers to the United States, but it did not apply to merchants. Already established in Augusta at that time, the Chinese merchant class continued to grow with the arrival of families, creating the largest Chinese population in Georgia until the mid twentieth century. The Augusta Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) was chartered in 1927 to support the Chinese community. The Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed in 1943, removing formal legal restrictions against Chinese Americans. The CCBA is the oldest Chinese organization in Georgia and remains active in the community.

Erected 2023 by Georgia Historical Society • Augusta Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. (Marker Number 121-26.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Charity & Public Work • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Immigration. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location.

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33° 28.169′ N, 81° 57.789′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is in Downtown Augusta. It is on Walker Street east of 6th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 548 Walker St, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

the Western Hemisphere,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Eve (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Medical College Building (about 400 feet away); Old Medical College (about 400 feet away); Gates of Repentance (about 600 feet away); The Congregation Children of Israel Synagogue (about 600 feet away); Richmond County Court of Ordinary (about 600 feet away); First Presbyterian Church World War I Memorial (about 700 feet away); The First Presbyterian Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Other markers no longer nearby. Old Richmond Academy Building (was about 400 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Congregation Children of Israel (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Augusta Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. Website homepage (Submitted on June 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Augusta Chinese-American Oral History Project. Oral interviews

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

2. The Augusta Chinese and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association Marker

of individuals who either immigrated to Augusta, Georgia from China, and/or grew up in Augusta during the early to mid-twentieth century. (Digital Library of Georgia) (Submitted on June 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 583 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on November 6, 2023, by Kai NeSmith of Augusta, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 28, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.