Georgia ASCE History & Heritage
Georgia has been a civil engineering leader for decades, yet this remains a largely untold story. Prior to 2018 Georgia’s only listing on ASCE’s Historic Landmarks tally was the Savannah city plan of 1733. In 2018, we were honored to add the Augusta Canal, built in 1845, to our list.
We want to hear your stories. The stories of Civil Engineering hold increasingly deeper meaning the further we progress down the technology road. Help us preserve our longstanding heritage and send us a few paragraphs.
Forward your contributions to Lisa Woods lisa.woods@arcadis.com to be reprinted here. Thank you for your valuable support.
ASCE Historic Landmark plaque for the City Plan of Savannah:
It is on the Northside of Johnson Square (Bull Street and E. Bryan St.)
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM2CRV_City_Plan_of_Savannah_Georgia
ASCE Historic Landmark plaque for the Augusta Canal:
On May 4, 2018, along with our friends in the South Carolina Section, Georgia gained a new Civil Engineering landmark with the dedication of the Augusta Canal. The Augusta Canal, built in 1845 as a source of power, water and transportation, is the only intact industrial canal in the American South in continuous use. By 1847 the first factories – a saw and grist mill and the Augusta Factory – were built, the first of many that would eventually line the Canal. Boom years followed as massive factories including the Enterprise, King and Sibley textile mills, the Lombard Ironworks and many others opened or expanded. Gradually Augusta’s factories converted from canal driven hydro-mechanical power to electrical power and moved away from the canal area, but the canal remains the City’s drinking water source and a recreation center. In recent years, the former Enterprise Mill has been revived after years of neglect as an office and residential complex, and now houses the Augusta Canal National Heritage Discovery Center. Its exhibits and artifacts depict Canal construction and mill life and remind Augustans and visitors alike of the progress, problems and promise of the Augusta Canal.
Parking to visit the ASCE Historic Landmark plaque and Augusta Canal:
1420 Eisenhower Drive; Augusta, GA 30904
There is a short walk down a gravel path, then a pedestrian bridge over the canal approaching the historic pumping station.
Monument and plaque:
Lat: 33.5124
Long: -82.0026
https://goo.gl/maps/XSpVSeFPQeR799xx8
Georgia ASCE Centennial Book
The Georgia ASCE was proud to publish our Centennial Book. This book is filled with historic pictures and facts to help document and commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Georgia ASCE in 2012.
