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.
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