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History
in a Pecan Shell
Augusta 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. |
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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 |
Augusta
Cemetery ›
The cemetery is located down a red dirt road, CR 1680, just 3/10 of
a mile from FM 227 where four historical markers stand. |
Historical
markers on FM 227 in Augusta
Photo by Dana
Goolsby, February 2011 |
| 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. |
"Site of
Old Town of Augusta" Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Dustin
Martin, April 2018 |
The Edens - Madden
Massacre Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Dustin
Martin, April 2018 |
Hayes Park Historical
Marker
Photo courtesy Dustin
Martin, April 2018 |
Daniel McLean
& John Sheridan Historical Marker
Photo courtesy Dustin
Martin, April 2018 |
Post card cancelled
with Augusta, Texas 1876 postmark
"The postal info in your history is not accurate. Augusta had
a post office for over a century - all the way from 1857 to 1963."
Courtesy
The
John J. Germann Collection |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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