For more than 275 years, the city of Augusta and its citizens have contributed greatly not only to the business, cultural, educational, athletic, and religious lives of both Georgians and South Carolinians bordering the Savannah River but also to people throughout the nation and the world. People and businesses such as Brenda Lee, Castleberry's, Lady Antebellum, James Brown, Club Car, Ty Cobb, Georgia Pacific, E-Z Go, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bobby Jones, Emerson Boozer, Beau Jack, and Butterfly McQueen, to name a few, all have close ties to the city that once spent a decade as Georgia's capital. This book tells the stories of many people who became legendary locals through their efforts that made the Augusta area a great place to live and work.

As Georgia's second oldest and second largest city, Augusta has long been a center of commerce, industry, defense, education, tourism, and recreation. Fortunately, as the city grew and modernized, it also preserved its heritage--a beautiful blend of past and present, then and now.

Though he was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia, home of fabled Augusta National and The Masters, as a child Tripp Bowden was too young and too removed from the game of golf to realize what Augusta National really was, what it meant to his town and the world and the sport; its history, nostalgia, prestige and secrecy. All the ten year old Bowden knew about golf was that it was a stupid game that took up too much of his father’s time, and that he’d much rather kick around a soccer ball or stay home and read a book. But all that changed once Bowden’s father, a renowned local doctor, introduced him to one of his patients, Freddie Bennett, the legendary Augusta National caddie master. Though Bowden was a white child of considerable privilege and Bennett was an older black gentleman of more modest means, the two formed an unusual bond. It was Bennett who introduced Bowden to the game of golf, a sport that would one day earn him a Division 1 golf scholarship and lead him to the final stage of a British Open qualifier. But it was the lessons Bennett taught the young Bowden off the course that had their profoundest impact on his life. Through Freddie and his particular brand of homespun wisdom, the author learned invaluable lessons about personal responsibility, hard work, and respect for others regardless of age, race or religion. He also learned that there’s much more to life than just playing golf. Soon to be a major motion picture, Freddie & Me is a heartwarming tale of an uncommon bond forged through sport.

Joseph G. Stolp settled in Aurora on June 12, 1837, when there were 33 residents in the pioneer village. Stolp's vision helped shape the city's destiny. The Aurora Electric Light and Power Company used 2,000-candlepower electric lamps for the first streetlights in 1881. Today, the "City of Lights" is home to 200,000 residents and a diverse population with 42 percent of Hispanic heritage. The character of her people made Aurora an enterprising city. Notable residents include Maud Powell, violin virtuoso, and Harry C. Murphy, president of the Burlington Railroad. Profiles of Greek immigrant George Andrews and Aurora-born artist Wendell Minor, as well as Polish leader Bruno Bartoszek, color these pages with biographies of greatness. Astute business leaders include Robert Bonifas, Ken Nagel, Louis Leonardi, and Frank C. Schaefer. Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall, Dr. Christine Sobek, and Dick Schindel give testament to adroit educational leadership. Legendary Locals of Aurora chronicles how the city's history has been blessed with noble and innovative leaders.

From the archives of local newspapers to anecdotal and personal accounts; facts, fiction and the famous of North Augusta South Carolina.

Augusta keeps reinventing itself: Indian trading post, largest inland cotton market in America, would-be winter resort, and hub for the health sciences and cybersecurity services. Over the years, each transformation has left its mark on the city, making it a dynamic place to live and a colorful place to visit. Consider 100 Things to Do in Augusta Before You Die as a handy guide for those who already think that they know the city well and for those who are planning a short visit. Get insider tips on where to dine and how to make the most of your restaurant experiences. Discover the most vibrant entertainment venues, from intimate night spots to major concert halls, and the most distinctive shops, from intimate boutiques to one of the largest jewelers in the country. Explore the city’s recreational opportunities on land and on the water. Spend the day at a state-of-the-art minor league ballpark or go kayaking on both river and canal. Dig into Augusta’s remarkable past, from the American Revolution and through the Civil War to the high-tech era, and learn more about its singular personalities: a hero of the Titanic, the twenty-eighth President, a blind blues artist, a legendary comedy duo, the “Godfather of Soul,” and an international diva. The book’s centuplicate suggestions are paired with specialized and seasonal itineraries. Local author Tom Mack shares what he has learned from his decades of investigating Augusta’s past glories and present delights in this informative introduction to the “Second City of Georgia.”

The Masters is unquestionably the crown jewel of golf's major tournaments, not only for the transcendent performances it has inspired over the years, but for the incomparable sights and sounds of Augusta National and its environs, each distinct element contributing to the storied, rarefied atmosphere which draws tens of thousands to Georgia each spring. Seven Days in Augusta spans everything from the par-3 contest, to Amen Corner, to Butler Cabin. Mark Cannizzaro goes behind the scenes of the exclusive competition, covering wide-ranging topics including green jacket rituals, tales from The Crow's Nest atop the clubhouse, the extreme lengths some fans have gone to acquire tickets, and what goes on outside the gates during Masters week. Also featuring some of the most memorable and dramatic moments from the tournament's history, this is an essential, expansive look at golf's favorite event.