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

Augusta’s Market House and the Haunted Pillar

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 24, 2025

1. Augusta’s Market House and the Haunted Pillar Marker

Inscription.
Prior to 1800, a market house stood on this site, called the "Lower Market." Another market was built in 1826 called the "Upper Market" seven blocks to the west. As the city grew, a new market was built in 1826-27 but was destroyed by fire in 1829. It was rebuilt with a town bell and clock on its cupola. In 1878 a tornado destroyed the market leaving only one of the four columns standing. The market fell into disuse and was demolished about 1890. The remaining column was relocated to the southeast corner of this intersection and was known as the "Haunted Pillar."

Erected 2021 by Reverend Pierre Robert Chapter National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 33° 28.366′ N, 81° 57.503′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is in Downtown Augusta. It is at the intersection of Broad Street and 5th Street, in the median on Broad Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 453 Broad 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: Birthplace of the Augusta Chronicle (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans of All Wars

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(about 700 feet away); Augusta Civil War Memorial (about 800 feet away); St. James United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); The First Academy of Richmond County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jefferson Davis Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Georgia's State Capital (approx. 0.2 miles away); Signers of the Declaration of Independence (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The “Haunted” Pillar of the Lower Market (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it).

More about this marker. Marker replaces an older version. TF 7/24/2025

Also see . . . The Haunted Pillar. (Submitted on August 17, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.)

Photographed by Tim Fillmon, July 24, 2025

2. Augusta’s Market House and the Haunted Pillar Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 17, 2025, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida.