Augusta, Lady Gregory Early writings
What were some of the early writings of Augusta?
What were some of the early writings of Augusta?
The Gregorys travelled in Ceylon, India, Spain, Italy and Egypt. While in Egypt, Lady Gregory had an affair with the English poet Wilfrid Scawen Blunt, during which she wrote a series of love poems, A Woman's Sonnets. Her earliest work to appear under her own name was Arabi and His Household (1882), a pamphlet--originally a letter to The Times--in support of Ahmed Orabi Pasha, leader of what has come to be known as the Urabi Revolt, an 1879 Egyptian nationalist revolt against the oppressive regime of the Khedive and the European domination of Egypt. She later said of this booklet, "whatever political indignation or energy was born with me may have run its course in that Egyptian year and worn itself out". Despite this, in 1893 she published A Phantom's Pilgrimage, or Home Ruin, an anti-Nationalist pamphlet against William Ewart Gladstone's proposed second Home Rule Act. She continued to write prose during the period of her marriage. During the winter of 1883, whilst her husband was in Ceylon, she worked on a series of memoirs of her childhood home, with a view to publishing them under the title An Emigrant's Notebook, but this plan was abandoned. She wrote a series of pamphlets in 1887 called Over the River, in which she appealed for funds for the parish of St. Stephens in Southwark, south London. She also wrote a number of short stories in the years 1890 and 1891, although these also never appeared in print. A number of unpublished poems from this period have also survived. When Sir William Gregory died in March 1892, Lady Gregory went into mourning and returned to Coole Park; there she edited her husband's autobiography, which she published in 1894. She was to write later, "If I had not married I should not have learned the quick enrichment of sentences that one gets in conversation; had I not been widowed I should not have found the detachment of mind, the leisure for observation necessary to give insight into character, to express and interpret it. Loneliness made me rich--'full', as Bacon says." CANNOTANSWER
Her earliest work to appear under her own name was Arabi and His Household (1882), a pamphlet--originally a letter to The Times
The District of West Augusta was a short-lived (1774–76) historical region of Colonial Virginia that encompassed much of what is now northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania.

History 

Before the Colony of Virginia and the Province of Pennsylvania agreed to extend the Mason-Dixon line westward from the western boundary line of the Province of Maryland, both claimed a large area of what is now southwestern Pennsylvania.

The area was sparsely populated in the years following the French and Indian War (1754–63), and neither colony made any serious attempts at forming a local government until the early 1770s.  Virginia administered the region as a part of Augusta County, Virginia.  Pennsylvania later established Westmoreland County with its seat at Hannastown, overlapping Virginia's claims.

Virginia's governor, Lord Dunmore, traveled to Pittsburgh, which Virginia claimed as part of  its territory, to appoint government officials under the Virginia charter.  In 1774, the Virginia assembly separated the western portion of Augusta County's territory and formed the District of West Augusta.

The preamble to a later act defined the boundaries of West Augusta as follows:

Whereas, it is expedient to ascertain the boundary between the county of Augusta and the district of West Augusta-Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, that the boundary between the said district and county shall be as follows:

Beginning on the Alleghany Mountains, between the heads of the Potomac, Cheat and Green Briar Rivers (Haystack Knob, or north end of Pocahontas County);

thence along the ridge of mountains which divides the waters of Cheat River from those of Green Briar, and that branch of the Monongahela River called Tyger's Valley River, to the Monongahela River;

thence up the said river, and the west fork thereof, to Bingerman's Creek, on the northwest side of the said west fork;

thence up the said creek to the head thereof,

thence in a direct course to the head of Middle Island Creek, a branch of the Ohio,

and thence to the Ohio, including all the waters of said creek in the aforesaid District of West Augusta, all that territory lying to the northward of the aforesaid boundary, and to the westward of the States of Pennsylvania and Maryland, shall be deemed, and is hereby declared to be, within the District of West Augusta.

The following several years were contentious. Local officials from Virginia arrested their counterparts from Pennsylvania and vice versa. Each state made movements to stem the flow of settlers from the other state.

The government of West Augusta was administered from Fort Dunmore in what is now Pittsburgh. The seat of government was later moved to Augusta Town in what is now Washington County, Pennsylvania.  In August 1776, Augusta Town became the site of the first court west of the Monongahela River.

In 1776, the District of West Augusta was divided into three counties: Ohio County, Monongalia County, and Yohogania County.  Ohio County encompassed most of the western region of the district bordering the Ohio River, including parts of what are now Washington and Greene Counties in Pennsylvania.  Monongalia County encompassed much of what is now north-central West Virginia, and parts of what are now Washington, Greene and Fayette Counties in Pennsylvania.  Yohogania County consisted of much of what is now southwestern Pennsylvania, including all of what is now Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, parts of the present counties of Washington, Fayette, Allegheny, and Beaver, and the counties of Hancock County, West Virginia and the northern part of Brooke County, West Virginia.

In 1780, the boundary dispute between Virginia and Pennsylvania was finally settled when both sides agreed to extend the Mason-Dixon line westward from Maryland to 80° 31′ west, the current western border of Pennsylvania.

Most of Yohogania County became part of Pennsylvania; that section of its lands was divided between Westmoreland County and the newly formed Washington County in Pennsylvania; Beaver and Allegheny were later created from those counties. The relatively small part of Yohogania that remained in Virginia was subsumed into Ohio County. That area is now divided between Brooke County and Hancock County, Virginia (now West Virginia), which were later formed from Ohio County, at the northernmost tip of West Virginia's Northern Panhandle.

References

External links 

Geography of Virginia
Pre-statehood history of Pennsylvania
Colonial Virginia
Pre-statehood history of West Virginia
Former regions and territories of the United States
History of the Thirteen Colonies
History of Pittsburgh Augusta County is a county in the Shenandoah Valley on the western edge of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The second-largest county of Virginia by total area, it completely surrounds the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. Its county seat is Staunton, but most of the administrative services have offices in neighboring Verona.

The county was created in 1738 from part of Orange County and was named after Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha. It was originally a huge area, but many of its parts were carved out to form other counties and several states until the current borders were finalized in 1790.

As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 77,487. Along with Staunton and Waynesboro, it forms the Staunton–Waynesboro, VA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History 

Augusta County was formed in 1738 from Orange County, although, because few people lived there, the county government was not organized until 1745. It was named for Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, Princess of Wales and mother of the future King George III of the United Kingdom.

Originally, Augusta County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Most of what is now West Virginia as well as the whole of Kentucky were within its early bounds. Additionally, the territory north and west of those areas, theoretically all the way to the Pacific Ocean, were as well.

Reductions in its extent began in 1770, when its southern part became Botetourt County. In 1776 part of western Augusta County, an area also known as the District of West Augusta, became Monongalia County, Ohio County, and Yohogania County (abolished in 1786). In 1778 the portion of Augusta County north and west of the Ohio River became Illinois County (abolished in 1784); the northeastern part of what was remained became Rockingham County, and the southwestern part was combined with part of Botetourt County to form Rockbridge County.  In 1788 the northern part of the county was combined with part of Hardy County to become Pendleton County. Augusta County assumed its present dimensions in 1790, when its western part was combined with parts of Botetourt County and Greenbrier County to form Bath County.

During the Civil War, Augusta County served as an important agricultural center as part of the "Breadbasket of the Confederacy." The Virginia Central Railroad ran through the county, linking the Shenandoah Valley to the Confederate capital at Richmond. One of the bloodiest engagements fought in the Shenandoah Valley took place on June 5, 1864, at the Battle of Piedmont, a Union victory that allowed the Union Army to occupy Staunton and destroy many of the facilities that supported the Confederate war effort. Augusta County suffered again during General Philip H. Sheridan's "Burning," which destroyed many farms and killed virtually all of the farm animals.

Staunton, the county seat for many years, was incorporated as a city in 1871 and separated from Augusta County in 1902. However, it remained the county seat.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which  is land and  (0.4%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Virginia by land area and second-largest by total area.

Adjacent counties and independent cities
 Staunton (Enclaved)
 Waynesboro (Enclaved)
 Pendleton County, West Virginia (North)
 Rockingham County (Northeast)
 Albemarle County (East)
 Nelson County (Southeast)
 Rockbridge County (Southwest)
 Bath County (West)
 Highland County (Northwest)

Districts 
The county is divided into seven magisterial districts: Beverley Manor, Middle River, North River, Pastures, Riverheads, South River, and Wayne.

School systems 
The county is serviced by Augusta County Public Schools.

National protected areas
 Blue Ridge Parkway (part)
 George Washington National Forest (part)
 Shenandoah National Park (part)

Regional park
 Natural Chimneys

Major highways

Demographics

2020 census

Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

2000 Census
As of the Census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county.  The population density was 68 people per square mile (26/km2).  There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km2).  The racial makeup of the county was 95.02% White, 3.60% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 24,818 households, of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.70% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.80% were non-families. 20.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.10 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,045, and the median income for a family was $48,579. Males had a median income of $31,577 versus $24,233 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,744.  About 4.20% of families and 5.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.40% of those under age 18 and 6.60% of those age 65 or over.

Area Populations

According to the 2010 US Census data, below are the populations of the two towns and select unincorporated communities within Augusta County:

The majority of Grottoes is located in Rockingham County.  Only seven of the town's 2,668 residents reside in Augusta County.

Government

Board of Supervisors
 Beverley Manor district: Butch Wells (R)
 Middle River district: Gerald W. Garber (R)
 North River district: Jeffrey “Jeff” Slaven (R)
 Pastures district: Pam L. Carter (R)
 Riverheads district: Michael L. Shull (R)
 South River district: Steven “Steve” Morelli (R)
 Wayne district: Scott Seaton (R)

Constitutional Officers
 Clerk of the Circuit Court: Steve Landes (R)
 Commissioner of the Revenue: W. Jean Shrewsbury (R)
 Commonwealth's Attorney: Tim Martin (R)
 Sheriff: Donald L. Smith (I) 
 Treasurer: Richard T. Homes (R)

Augusta County is represented by Republican Emmett W. Hanger in the Virginia Senate, Republican John Avoili, Republican Ronnie R. Campbell, and Republican Chris Runion in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Republican Ben Cline in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Economy
According to the county's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the county are:

Communities
The independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro (incorporated as such in 1902 and 1948 respectively) are located within the boundaries of Augusta County, but are not a part of the county, despite Staunton's status as the county seat.  Most county administrative offices, however, are located in Verona, rather than in Staunton.

Towns
 Craigsville
 Grottoes (partial)

Census-designated places

 Augusta Springs
 Churchville
 Crimora
 Deerfield
 Dooms
 Greenville
 Harriston
 Fishersville
 Jolivue
 Lyndhurst
 Middlebrook
 Mount Sidney
 New Hope
 Sherando
 Stuarts Draft
 Verona
 Weyers Cave
 Wintergreen (mostly in Nelson County)

Other unincorporated communities

 Fort Defiance
 Love
 Mint Spring
 Mount Solon
 Spring Hill
 Steeles Tavern
 Swoope
 West Augusta

Notable people

 Thomas Adams, born in Augusta County, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and signer of the Articles of Confederation
 Robert Allen, born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Tennessee
 George Caleb Bingham (1811–1879), born in Augusta County, noted painter and State Treasurer of Missouri
 Gideon Blackburn (1772–1838), born in Augusta County, noted clergyman and founder of Blackburn College
 John Brown, lawyer and statesman
 Samuel Brown, born in Augusta County, noted surgeon and editor
 John Wilson Campbell, born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Ohio 
 William Campbell, born in Augusta County, militia leader in the American Revolutionary War
 John Colter (c.1774–May 7, 1812(?)), born near Stuarts Draft, was a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806); best remembered for his 1807–1808 explorations as the first person of European descent to enter the region now known as Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons
 Samuel Doak, (1749–1830), born in Augusta County, noted Presbyterian clergyman, founder of Washington College, the first college west of the Alleghenies, noted abolitionist
 Ida Stover Eisenhower (1862–1946), mother of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, was born in Mount Sidney, Augusta County
 John H. Fulton, (died 1836), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia
 John P. Gaines, (1795–1857), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Kentucky and governor of the Oregon Territory.
 John D. Imboden, (1823–1895), born in Augusta County, member of the Virginia General Assembly, Confederate Army cavalry general and partisan fighter in the American Civil War.
 "Irish" John Lewis (1678–1762), opened up what is now Augusta County to settlement.
 Thomas Lewis, Jr., born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia.
 William J. Lewis, (1766–1828), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Virginia.
 Robert D. Lilley, (1836–1886), born in Greenville, Augusta County, Confederate Army general in the American Civil War.
 Benjamin Logan, (c.1742–1803), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman from Kentucky.
 George Mathews, (1739–1812), born in Augusta County, United States Congressman and Governor of Georgia. Member of the Mathews family.
 Sampson Mathews, (c. 1737–1806), born in Augusta County, Virginia State Senator and Revolutionary War officer. Member of the Mathews family.
 Robert McKnight (c.1789–1846), born in Augusta County, moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1809, member of a trading expedition under Zebulon Pike to Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1812, captured by Spanish and imprisoned until 1821, eventually renounced his United States citizenship, moved to Mexico, and became owner of the Santa Rita del Cobre copper mine in  Chihuahua (now New Mexico).
 Thomas McKnight, businessman and member of Wisconsin Territorial Council
 Joel F. Salatin (b. 1957), founder, owner and manager of Polyface Farm in Swoope, Virginia.

 Thomas Woodrow Wilson (Dec. 28, 1856–Feb. 3, 1924) 28th President of the United States of America, 34th Governor of New Jersey, and 13th President of Princeton University located in Princeton, New Jersey.

See also 
 Augusta County Sheriff's Office
 National Register of Historic Places listings in Augusta County, Virginia

References

Further reading
 Peyton's History of Augusta County, Virginia (1882), searchable online edition of the 1882 edition by J. Lewis Peyton.
 Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871, searchable online edition of the 1902 second edition by Jos. A. Waddell.
 Augusta County Resources, a Rootsweb page of historical and genealogical links and references, including maps.

External links

 
 Augusta County official website
 Augusta County Economic Development Agency
 Augusta County Facts and Genealogy Resources

 
Virginia counties
1738 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies
Populated places established in 1738 Riverwalk Augusta (also known as the Augusta Riverwalk) is a city park along the Savannah River in downtown Augusta, in the U.S. state of Georgia. The park is alongside and on top of Augusta's levee. It extends from the 13th Street Bridge to the Gordon Highway bridge. Sites along the Riverwalk include St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Georgia Cyber Center, and the Morris Museum of Art.

History 
Through much of the late 1800s and into the early 1900s, the City of Augusta had been affected by many years of devastating floods that damaged many homes and businesses in Downtown Augusta. 

In order to control future flooding events, the City of Augusta constructed a levee along the banks of the Savannah River in Downtown Augusta to protect the city from such flood events.

However in 1929, the city suffered a heavy flood that topped over the levee structure and breathed into Downtown.

Seven years later, the Flood Control Act of 1936 was passed into law which authorized the United States Army Corps of Engineers to construct a new levee along the Savannah River to its current existing level it sits at today.

With a decline in Downtown Augusta in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new local organization, Augusta Tomorrow, was formed to help develop ways to boost local growth in the Downtown area. The concept was soon formed to develop a Riverwalk that would run along top of the existing levee structure.

After nearly four years of planning and working with state and federal partners for approval, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in February 1986 to kick of the Riverwalk improvements. The plan called for a brick walkway on top of the levee, two bulkheads into the Savannah River, and construction of Oglethorpe Park near the Sixth Street Railroad Bridge.

In 1989, a second ceremony was held with the announcement of construction of a new 1,800 seat amphitheater located on Ninth Street which was later named after local Augustan singer Jessye Norman.

Over the next three years following that, new developments along Augusta's Riverwalk were constructed which included the Augusta Riverfront Center, Port Royal, the Morris Museum of Art, and the Fifth Street Marina.

Today, the Riverwalk continues to be the site of the Saturday Market on the River - a local farmers market held from April through October. It is also the site of many historical memorials to include markings of previous floods in Augusta, Heroes Overlook which honors Medal of Honor recipients, and a traditional Japanese Garden and Waterfall from Augusta's sister city, Takarazuka, Japan.

See also
 
 Augusta Downtown Historic District
 Augusta Canal

References

External links
 
 
 Riverwalk Augusta — AugustaGA.gov

Geography of Augusta, Georgia
Parks in Georgia (U.S. state)
Tourist attractions in Augusta, Georgia