Late 18th Century Development

The Academy of Richmond County opened in 1785, as part of Georgia's state university system which was chartered in that year. The first academy was situated near the river on Bay Street between Lincoln (Third) and Elbert (Fourth) Streets. George Washington, during his visit to the city in 1791, attended oral examinations at the school. By 1802 larger quarters were necessary. The new Richmond Academy on Telfair between Center (Fifth) and Washington (Sixth) streets was constructed with hand-made, stucco-covered brick. For 124 years, this building housed one of the finest and most famous academies in Georgia. The 500 block of Telfair Street became somewhat of an educational center. In 1834, construction of the Medical College, which had been authorized six years earlier, began on the Washington Street corner. Until 1911, the two institutions operated side by side, sometimes exchanging faculty members for special lectures or courses. When the Medical College moved, Richmond Academy took over the building for its science department and manual training classes. Despite the addition of the old medical facility and the temporary use of rooms across the street in the Court House, Richmond Academy still needed more space. In 1926, the Academy and the newly authorized Junior College of Augusta moved into a new building on Baker Avenue just off Walton Way (still the current location of Richmond Academy).

Provided by: Augusta Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau