Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
James Edward Oglethorpe
Founder of Augusta
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 3, 2013
1. James Edward Oglethorpe Marker
James Edward Oglethorpe was
descended from aristocratic
English family. As a young man
he represented the borough of
Haslemere in Parliament, where he led
inquires into prison conditions and
became interested in social reforms.
(Picture included):
Oglethorpe, the father of Georgia
He became a leading member of The
Trustees for Establishing the Colony of
Georgia in America, with the idea of
setting up a colony to offer a new start for
"the better sort of indigent" and to
provide a military buffer against the
Spanish in Florida and the French in the
Alabama country. In practice the
idealistic system of the Trustees proved
impractical, and from the beginning very
few Georgia's settlers were charity
colonists.
The Father of Georgia sailed to America
with the first wave of settlers, and
founded five towns, including Augusta.
In 1736 he instructed Surveyor
Noble Jones to lay out the town,
named after Princess Augusta,
wife of the Prince of Wales.
(Picture included):
Oglethorpe's letter to Surveyor Noble Jones
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
this page online
Location. 33° 28.56′ N, 81° 57.958′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is on Broad Street (Georgia Route 104/28), on the right when traveling west. Located between 8th and 9th Streets at Augusta Commons. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: General James Edward Oglethorpe (within shouting distance of this marker); James Brown (Plaza) (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonial Augusta (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Augusta Common - 1736 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mayham Tower (about 500 feet away); Augusta Cotton Exchange (about 500 feet away); The Rotary Club of Augusta
Photographed by James Edward Oglethorpe Marker, `
2. Oglethorpe, the father of Georgia
Another marker is no longer nearby. William Makepeace Thackeray (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . James Oglethorpe. New Georgia Encyclopedia website entry:
Georgians still remember James Edward Oglethorpe in many ways. His name adorns Oglethorpe County, two towns (including Oglethorpe), Oglethorpe University, and numerous schools, streets, parks, and businesses. (Submitted on March 13, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Photographed by James Edward Oglethorpe Marker, `
3. Oglethorpe's letter to Surveyor Noble Jones
Jones and his family were original settlers in Georgia, arriving in Savannah with founder James E. Oglethorpe on February 1, 1733. As a middle-class carpenter from England, Jones would perform a variety of roles in the new colony of Georgia including: constable, physician, surveyor, Indian agent, soldier, member of the royal council, treasurer, and senior justice of the province. (Georgia Historic Marker 25-100)
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2013
4. James Edward Oglethorpe Marker seen along east promenade at Augusta Commons
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 3, 2013
5. Oglethorpe Monument, focal point of Augusta Commons
James Edward
Oglethorpe
1696 - 1785
Father of Georgia
Founder of Augusta
Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,085 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 13, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.
