Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
James Edward Oglethorpe
Founder of Augusta
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 • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1736.
Location. 33° 28.56′ N, 81° 57.958′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. Marker 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.
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 (about 500 feet away); A Memorial To Eli Whitney (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.
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.)
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 1,190 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 13, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.