Happy Halloween

1518 Twiggs Street, Augusta, GA

This somewhat spooky, unoccupied and deteriorating property is the former home of Walter Spurgeon Hornsby (1882-1956) who was president of Pilgrim Health & Life Insurance Co.. Pilgrim, the first insurance provider for African-Americans in Georgia was headquartered in Augusta from its founding in 1898 to 1990.

Neglected and Abandoned

There's not a lot more to say...

Lonely Gas Pumps

I don't know when this gas station closed, but it was long enough ago that a huge weed has grown up through the pump. More importantly, why are these pumps still standing?

Roses Behind the Fence

More from Pendleton King Park

Garden Wall

Pendleton King Park

Pendleton King Park Tree

A Pine Tree in the Park

Navigating History

Dedicated on November 9, 2006, "Navigating History", a 20'x15'x8' monumental bronze sculpture fountain by Augusta's Kathleen Girdler Engler stands near the intersection of Walton Way and 13th Street to commemorate the once active Augusta Canal.

Industrial Augusta

American Concrete Company
1310 Walker Street
Augusta, GA

Old Mill Building

This portion of Standard Textile is not currently in use. According to a sign along the side of the building, this was the previous home of the employment office. Below are closer views of the decorative iron structure atop the turret and the underside of the tin overhang.

Unknown Vegetation

Anyone have a clue what this plant might be?

Or this one?

Meadow Garden

Meadow Garden - The George Walton Farm House

The Marker reads:
George Walton (1749 - 1804) - Signer of the Declaration of Independence - Patriot - Soldier - Statesman - Jurist - Freemason.

Born a Virginian he became a Georgian in about 1770. An Early leader in the Liberty Movement in Savannah. Colonel in the Revelutionary Army. Member of the 2nd Continental Congress. Chief Justice of Georgia. 1783-1786. State Legislator and Superior Court of Georgia, 1779 and 1789. Trustee of the Academy of Richmond County, Augusta and of the State University at Athens. Named in his honor are the County of Walton and tow Masonic Lodges Walton No. 200, Jasper County, GA and George Walton No 699, Augusta, GA.

This immortal Georgian and American, whose last home, Meadow Garden, stands here and whose honored remains are buried here in Augusta, not only shed his blood for American Liberty, but dedicated the rest of his life to the successful erection of civil government in his state and nation. An active and faithful member of Solomon's Lodge No. 1 F & A M of Savannah, GA. His name will ever be held in highest veneration by the Freemasons of Georgia.

Marker placed by the Educational & Historical Commission, Grand Lodge of Georgia, F & A M 1968

Pumpkins

Sutherland Mill

Located along the Augusta Canal, the Sutherland Mill sat empty for years, but has been renovated as medical office condominiums.

Odds & Ends

I think you can find just about anything at the Frog Hollow General Store...

Bikes Against a Wall

Paper Lanterns

Paper Lanterns at the Old Richmond Academy

What a Sign!

I drive past the Frog Hollow General Store on a regular basis, but never noticed this sign. Last Wednesday, with no cars blocking my view, I stopped to get a closer look.

Inside a Rusted 1948 Chevy

Yesterday, I posted photos of Artie, the Dragon. Today's photo shows his empty head.

Artie the Green Dragon

The Garden City's Green Dragon, a 72-foot dragon made from recycled materials and named "Artie", was designed by Sarah Mays, Artists Row's 2011 Student Art Scholarship winner and built by the community during the Westobou Festival. Building materials include: chicken wire, plastic soda and water bottles, plastic grocery bags, old left-over cans of spray paint, old Volkswagen hubcaps and a rusted 1948 Chevrolet panel truck.

Pink Fountain

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Augusta's downtown fountains are flowing pink this month.

Walk with the Spirits II

Portrayed by Richmond County teacher, Ann Beth Stelec, is Annie Schweigert Burdell (1880-1959), a flapper and daughter of one of Augusta's most important jewelry businessmen. See yesterday's post.

Walk with the Spirits

The Summerville section of Augusta celebrates its sesquicentennial this year and in addition to the annual Tour of Homes, there was a parade and guided tours of the historic Summerville Cemetery. While learning about the history of the cemetery and the iconography of the headstones, we were introduced to some of the Augusta residents who are buried there.

Depicted here is Judge Ebenezer Starnes (1810-1868), portrayed by Danny Craig, Superior Court Judge in the Augusta Judicial Circuit.

Canal Gatehouse

Inside the Augusta Canal Gatehouse

Canal Gatehouse

Saturday morning I was among a fortunate few attending an Augusta Canal Discovery Walk conducted by Dr. Peter Hughes - "Unlocking the Waters" Waterway Engineering of Canal Headgates & Locks. The Gatehouse is a favorite subject, but this Walk included a walk through the normally closed to the public gatehouse. I'll show the inside tomorrow.

Lamb on the Spit

More from the Augusta Greek Festival

Augusta Greek Festival

The bouzouki, is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but pitched lower. This, the 22nd Annual Greek Festival will take place on the grounds of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Augusta from October 7th to the 9th.

Augusta State University Gala Concert

The ASU Gala Concert, featuring all Department of Music performing ensembles (Choral Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Opera Ensemble and Orchestra) will tonight be a fund-raiser for the Music Scholarship Fund. This photo is from an earlier concert performance at Maxwell Theater on the campus of ASU.

Calderazzo & Norman

Augusta native, Jessye Norman performed a few jazz numbers with Marsalis & Calderazzo at Monday night's benefit concert for the Jessye Norman School of the Arts at the Imperial Theatre.

Marsalis & Calderazzo Duo

Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo, renowned saxophonist and leading pianist perfomed last night at the Imperial Theatre. The concert was a benefit for the Jessye Norman School of the Arts.

Imperial Theatre

Augusta's Westobou Festival takes place from September 29 to October 8, 2011. Over these ten days, the City celebrates with an array of fine and performing arts. Two concerts will be held at the Imperial Theatre.

Colonial Court Fountain

Condomium complex fountain at dusk.

Chico's Cupola

Augusta Mall Cupola