Augusta is a city in
Bracken CountyBracken County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1797. The population was 8,488 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Brooksville, Kentucky.-History:...
,
KentuckyThe Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
,
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along the
Ohio RiverThe Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. As of the 2005 census, the city population was 2,004. When Bracken County was organized in 1796, Augusta was the
county seatA county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
. In 1839, a new county courthouse was built at a more central location in
BrooksvilleBrooksville is a city in Bracken County, Kentucky, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city's population was 589. It is the county seat of Bracken County....
.
Geography
Augusta is located at 38°46′21"N 84°0′6"W (38.772556, -84.001530).
According to the
United States Census BureauThe United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km²), of which 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) is land and 0.4 square miles (1 km²) (26.67%) is water.
Famous People Who Live Here
The broadcaster, singer & actor
Nick ClooneyNicholas Joseph "Nick" Clooney is an American journalist, anchorman, and television host. He is the brother of the late singer Rosemary Clooney, and father of actor and film director George Clooney.-Early life:...
and his wife Nina Warren presently live in Augusta from 1975.
Nick ClooneyNicholas Joseph "Nick" Clooney is an American journalist, anchorman, and television host. He is the brother of the late singer Rosemary Clooney, and father of actor and film director George Clooney.-Early life:...
's elder sister
Rosemary ClooneyRosemary Clooney was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit "Come On-a My House" written by William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian , which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me" Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 –...
and her son
Miguel FerrerMiguel José Ferrer is an American actor and voice actor who is often cast as a villain. His notable roles include Bob Morton, a supporting character in RoboCop , the short tempered FBI agent Albert Rosenfield in Twin Peaks, and Dr...
moved into a Riverside Home on the river bank of the
Ohio RiverThe Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. They moved there in 1974 and moved out in 1993.
Demographics
As of the
censusA census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2005, there were 2,004 people, 1384 households, and 430 families residing in the city. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 990.9 people per square mile (411.0/km²). There were 605 housing units at an average density of 497.9 per square mile (191.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.51% White, 1.25% African American, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from
other racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.
There were 534 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were
married couplesMarriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,333, and the median income for a family was $34,167. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $22,188 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $20,450. About 9.6% of families and 16.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.
History
Augusta was founded in 1786 as a trading post along the
Ohio RiverThe Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
. The city was named after
Augusta County, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
.
The city grew quickly and in 1796 (in some cases as some people believe, 1786) became county seat of the
Extensive Bracken County AreaThe Extensive Bracken County Area in Kentucky was founded in 1796 from parts of Mason and Campbell counties. The Area contained parts of what is now Robertson, East Harrison, Bourbon, most of Nicholas, north and central Fleming, and the southern tip of Mason counties.Over the years the county...
. The location was moved to Oxford then back to Augusta the finally to Brooksville in 1839 as county seat.
The city was home to five separate schools, one private four public. The most famous built was the Augusta College, which served the entire Bracken area until 1887 when the High School was moved into that spot. The college continued to serve the city until October 31, 1896.
Government
The city of Augusta is classified as a Class 4 city. Augusta is headed by the mayor and a City Council with six members and an attorney that preside at the meetings. After the inauguration of the Mayor the mayor selects his Vice Mayor who remains in that post until the next mayor is elected. There is no limit to the number of terms either the Mayor or the City Council can serve.
The City also has a Police Department, Fire Department, County Ambulance Department, Maintenance Department, and a Water Treatment Department.
Education
The public schools, Augusta Elementary School and
Augusta High SchoolAugusta High School is part of the Augusta Independent Schools school district in Bracken County Kentucky, founded in 1887. The school is one of the smallest high schools in the state, with all grades, PreK - 12, in one building....
, are managed by the
Augusta Independent SchoolsAugusta Independent Schools is a school district in Bracken County Kentucky, USA which was founded in 1887. This district's schools are among the smallest in the state with all grades PK-12 in one building.-External links:*...
school districtSchool districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
. The district was founded in 1887.
Saint Augustine School is a private
Catholic schoolCatholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
that houses PK-8 grade with an enrollment of 101 children. The current principal is Mike Ruf, who is the first non-religious order principal in the school's history. The present priest for St. Augustine's is Father Ed Brodnick.
Augusta Mayors
- John Laycock (2009–Present) Laycock was named interim Mayor upon High's resignation.
- Wendell High (2006–2009) High is the first mayor to win two nonconsecutive terms in office.
- John Laycock (2002–2006). Laycock, who was elected with 65% of the votes, was the first person to win a public office in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a "write-in".
- Wendell High (1998–2002)
- Louis Habermehl Jr (1994–1998)
- Mike Bach (1990–1994)
- Isaac Weldon (1986–1990)
- Thomas Appelman (1970–1986)
See also
- List of cities and towns along the Ohio River
- Rosemary Clooney Museum
The Rosemary Clooney Museum is located in a historic 1835 house, located on Riverside Drive, in Augusta, Kentucky. This is the house the late Rosemary Clooney called home for more than 20 years....
, Riverside Drive, Augusta
Notable natives and residents
- Henry Bidleman Bascom
Henry Bidleman Bascom was an American Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, elected in 1850. He also distinguished himself as a Circuit rider, pastor and Christian preacher; as chaplain to the U.S...
(1796–1850), religious circuit rider, U.S. Congressional Chaplain, professor at Augusta College, college president, editor
- George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
, lived in Augusta, graduated from Augusta High SchoolAugusta High School is part of the Augusta Independent Schools school district in Bracken County Kentucky, founded in 1887. The school is one of the smallest high schools in the state, with all grades, PreK - 12, in one building....
.
- Nick Clooney
Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Clooney is an American journalist, anchorman, and television host. He is the brother of the late singer Rosemary Clooney, and father of actor and film director George Clooney.-Early life:...
, AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
televisionTelevision is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
journalistA journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, anchormanA news presenter is a person who presents news during a news program in the format of a television show, on the radio or the Internet.News presenters can work in a radio studio, television studio and from remote broadcasts in the field especially weather...
, game showA game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
and American Movie Classics host.
- Heather French
Heather Renee French Henry is a Miss America title holder, personality and fashion designer.Raised in Maysville, Kentucky, Heather French Henry graduated from The University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, and Architecture & Planning. She competed in pageants through her teens, including the...
, former Miss America born in Augusta.
- Rosemary Clooney
Rosemary Clooney was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the novelty hit "Come On-a My House" written by William Saroyan and his cousin Ross Bagdasarian , which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me" Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 –...
purchased a "get away" home on the river in 1980.
- William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
stayed at General John Payne's home on Riverside Drive, on his way to be inaugurated.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
's body passed through Augusta on its way to Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
- William O. Miller, investigator at the Nuremberg Trials
The Nuremberg Trials were a series of military tribunals, held by the victorious Allied forces of World War II, most notable for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of the defeated Nazi Germany....
, prosecutor at Dachau War Crimes Trials, resided in Augusta.
- John Gregg Fee
John Gregg Fee was an abolitionist, minister and educator, the founder of the town of Berea, Kentucky, and Berea College , the first in the state with interracial and coeducational admissions...
, alumnus of Augusta College, noted abolitionist in Kentucky.
External links