Out in western Butler County, the busy edge of the Wichita metropolis meets
the serene calm of the prairie. At the intersection of these two very
important elements of Kansas living is the city of Augusta, a place that
embraces the beauty of nature yet maintains access to the bustling
metro community just beyond its borders.
As
a self-proclaimed “front porch” community, Augusta is a city in which
each member of the community is considered a valuable source of input
for its future development. In 2008, the citizens of Augusta banded
together to outline a vision for the future known as “Vision Augusta.”
Together the city council and a number of volunteers from all over the
community worked to outline a vision for where the city is and where
they all want to see it in the coming years.
Augusta Economy and Growth
A
large part of that vision has to do with economic development. Augusta
home owners work throughout a broad employment pool, with many jobs
being focused in local retail, manufacturing and service businesses.
As
of the 2013 U.S. Census, there are about 9,200 residents in Augusta,
with more on the way. The chamber of commerce stands behind a number of
local businesses in Augusta with events such as an annual Brick Street
Festival and Small Business Saturday, aimed at bringing more home owners
and visitors to the vibrant downtown area.
Arts and Culture of Augusta
With
its founding in 1868, when C.N. James founded a general store and post
office in honor of his beloved wife Augusta James, the city is home to a
dynamic history. This storied history is something that remains
important to all those living and working in Augusta. City officials
work to preserve the history and culture of Augusta through their work
with the Augusta Historical Society.
The
society is responsible for maintaining the various historical landmarks
around the city so that they can be enjoyed by many generations to
come. One of the most important sites is the C.N. James Log Cabin and
Trading Post. These original buildings of the settlement are well over a
century old, and act as a time capsule back to the city’s founding. In
2010, this landmark was named one of the eight “Wonders of Butler
County.”
In
addition to the James Cabin, Augusta is home to many more historical
sites and museums including the Kansas Museum of Military History,
Augusta Historic Theater, Frisco Depot and Augusta History Museum.
The
unique influences of industry and nature have also inspired local
artists to visually represent the city in an area known as Henry’s
Sculpture Hill, which uses an array of steel and metal sculptures to
represent famous moments in literature as well as the life and times in
Augusta.
Photos courtesy the City of Augusta