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

A Historical Timeline of Augusta

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 10, 2025

1. A Historical Timeline of Augusta Marker

Inscription. "I take my pen in hand to give you a sketch of the proceedings of the 1st day of January (The Freedmen's 4th of July) in the City of Augusta, we met a Springfield Church, it being the largest colored church in the city." -Robert Kent, Christian Recorder, January 3, 1866

1860 Springfield purchases the freedom of Pastor Kelly Lowe, who had led the church since 1847.

1863 Black Augustans quietly and cautiously discuss Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.

1865 Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union Forces at Appomattox, Virginia. The 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, is ratified. Union soldiers, members of the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops, march to Augusta and assist in establishing peace in the city.

1865 The Freedmen's Bureau opens a school in the former Confederate Shoe Factory on Campbell (9th) Street. John T. Shuften begins publishing the Colored American newspaper.

1866 Nearly three thousand persons witness the founding of the Georgia Equal Rights Association at Springfield Church. The organization sets the stage for Georgia's Republican Party.

1866 A branch of the Freedman's Savings

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and Trust Company opens.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Civil Rights • Religion & Religious Structures • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 33° 28.736′ N, 81° 58.343′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is in Downtown Augusta. It is at the intersection of Reynolds Street and 12th Street, on the right when traveling east on Reynolds Street. Located in Springfield Village Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1211 Jones Street, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America

and the Western World.

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: We've Come This Far by Faith: (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named A Historical Timeline of Augusta (here, next to this marker);

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 10, 2025

2. A Historical Timeline of Augusta Marker

a different marker also named A Historical Timeline of Augusta (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named A Historical Timeline of Augusta (here, next to this marker); Transition (a few steps from this marker); Education (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named A Historical Timeline of Augusta (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named A Historical Timeline of Augusta (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Related markers

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 10, 2025

3. Location

The entire timeline is on the S-shaped concrete wall to the right.

Springfield Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, April 10, 2025

4. Springfield Baptist Church

This is the 1801 church across from the markers where many of the events listed took place.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 27, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.