Augusta, Kansas is a small Kansas town with approximately 8,000 residents. It is located in Butler County with El Dorado being the county seat. El Dorado is 15 miles to the northeast. Butler County is the largest Kansas county by area. As mentioned in our Home Page, C.N. and Augusta James were the first to live in this community. The city took it*s name from Augusta James. The town grew fast due to the oil boom south of town in the 1880s and 1890s. In 1917 an oil refinery was built in the south part of town. Mobil Oil operated and expanded this refinery throughout the years until 1983, when it shutdown. During the refinery days, about 400 to 600 people worked for Mobil Oil. The big *Boiler House* refinery whistle would blow ten minutes before 8 A.M., letting the employees know that they had 10 minutes before clocking in. Then it would blow at 8 A.M. (starting time). It blew at noon, ten minutes before 1 P.M., at 1 P.M. and then at 5 P.M., quitting time. People around town still mentions the missing of the whistle blowing.
Most Augustans work in the aircraft industry in Wichita. There are lots of great businesses and several small industries in our town. Being so close to Wichita creates problems for some of our businesses to compete. Augustans strive to support all of our local businesses. Around our town*s outskirts we are blessed with good farmland and ranches. Lots of wheat, milo, corn, soybeans and small amounts of cotton are raised by our farmers. We have lots of cattle ranches with native prairie grass for the cattle to graze on.
Come and see us and see what a great place Augusta, Kansas really is!
The Augusta Historic Theator is an another proud piece of Augusta history. It is also on the National Register of Historical Places and is simply beautiful, especially inside. Another reason for you to come and visit Augusta, Kansas. Also, check out our brick streets. I bet some of you have never seen brick streets!