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History
in a Pecan ShellAugusta
Smith, daughter of an early settler is the supposed namesake. The site dates from
1821 when Daniel McLean built his home here.
Prior to the Civil War, Augusta
was a center of trade for Houston County plantations. A Male and Female Academy
was established just prior to the Civil War and the community was granted a post
office in 1882.
By the mid 1880s, Augusta had a population of 200 residents
as well as three stores, cotton gins, and a school and (Union) church. Although
its post office was closed, and businesses shrank to only three, the town’s population
peaked at 250 Augustans in 1936.
The population dropped to 120 in the
1940s and the postwar years were very rough on Augusta. By 1952 there were only
20 residents left – a figure that remained in place for decades. The 2000 census
showed that same estimate and the 2010 census figures are not available as of
this writing. |
Historical markers on FM 227 in Augusta
Photo by Dana
Goolsby, February 2011 |
The
Edens-Madden Massacre of Houston County by Dana
Goolsby
Almost two centuries ago, a gruesome massacre occurred
in the northeastern portion of the county, near San Pedro Creek and the
Augusta community, which was established in 1821. The massacre has lived
on as local legend of a tragedy that claimed the lives of many helpless people.
The blood curdling screams of women and children echoed through the piney woods
on that night, October 18, 1838, accompanied by the war whoops of Indians, in
what is known as the Edens-Madden Massacre... more
Today
four historical markers stand in the bend of the curb in the Augusta Community,
at the site of the massacre. The bodies that were recovered from the vicious attack
are buried in the Augusta Cemetery,
among many other pioneers of Houston County. The cemetery is located down a red
dirt road, CR 1680, just 3/10 of a mile from FM 227 where the historical markers
stand. |
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1940s
Houston County map showing Augusta
(Above "S" in "H-O-U-S-T-O-N")
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Where
to Stay - Augusta, Texas Area Hotels:
Crockett
Hotels
Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, and vintage/historic
photos of their town, please contact
us. | |
| Save on Hotels
- Book Here | |
