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

Explosion At The Confederate Powder Works

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 2012

1. Explosion at the Confederate Powder Works Marker

Inscription. In August, 1864, a violent explosion destroyed the granulating building of the Augusta Powder Works, one of the 28 buildings of the Confederacy’s massive gunpowder mill along Augusta Canal. Eight men and a boy died when 18,000 pounds of gunpowder exploded in one of the most lethal industrial accidents in the Civil War South. This, along with poor pay, prompted women at the facility to go on strike the following October. With many men away in the army, an increasing number of women and children were pulled into the workforce. The unsuccessful strike was one of many at war-time industrial facilities across Georgia, where pay was low and working conditions often dangerous.

Erected 2011 by Erected for the Civil War 150 commemoration by the Georgia Historical Society, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Augusta Canal Authority. (Marker Number 121-15.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 33° 29.245′ N, 81° 59.663′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is on Eve Street near Pearl Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Augusta GA 30904, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Confederate States Powder Works (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Confederate Obelisk-Chimney (about 600 feet away); White House Tract (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Powder Works (approx. 0.4 miles away); Crossroads of the Southeast (approx. 0.4 miles away in South Carolina); The Power of the Savannah River (approx. 0.6 miles away in South Carolina); Boeckh Park (approx. 0.7 miles away in South Carolina); Riverfront Village (approx. 0.8 miles away in South Carolina). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Augusta Canal (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Regarding Explosion At The Confederate Powder Works. The Powder Works Factory was the second largest munitions factory in the world during the Civil War, consisting of 26 buildings which stretched two miles down the first level of the Augusta Canal.

Also see . . . Confederate Powder Works. Excerpt:

The Confederate Powderworks, also known as the Augusta Powder Works, was a gunpowder factory during the American Civil War. It is one of the only permanent structures completed by the Confederate States of America that wasn't
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 27, 2012

2. Explosion at the Confederate Powder Works Marker along Eve Street at Pearl Avenue
destroyed by Union forces.[1] Colonel George Washington Rains chose the old United States Arsenal site between the Augusta Canal and Savannah River in Augusta, Georgia, as a secure inland location with good rail and water connections. The Powderworks produced almost 3 million pounds of gunpowder during the war.

(Submitted on May 31, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Explosion at the Confederate Powder Works Marker at Eve Street and the Augusta Canal crossing image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 27, 2012

3. Explosion at the Confederate Powder Works Marker at Eve Street and the Augusta Canal crossing

Confederate Memorial Obelisk-Chimney seen in distance.
* See nearby markers

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

4. Explosion At The Confederate Powder Works Marker

The chimney is the only remaining part of the Confederate Powder Works.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,744 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 4. submitted on May 31, 2025, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.