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About Augusta County

History

Augusta County was formed in 1738 from Orange County, although county government was not organized until 1745. It was named for Augusta of Saxe-Gotha, Princess of Wales and mother of the future King George III of the United Kingdom.

Originally, Augusta County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Most of what is now West Virginia as well as all of Kentucky were formed from it, and it also claimed the territory north and west of those areas, theoretically all the way to the Pacific Ocean. A series of maps show the formation and division of Augusta County from 1738 through 1791. An animated map shows the formation of Virginia and West Virginia counties from 1617 to 1995.

Reductions in its extent began in 1770, when its southern part became Botetourt County. In 1776 part of western Augusta County, an area also known as the District of West Augusta, became Monongalia County, Ohio County, and Yohogania County (abolished in 1786). In 1778 the part of Augusta County west of the Ohio River became Illinois County (abolished in 1784); the northeastern part of what was left became Rockingham County, and the southwestern part was combined with part of Botetourt County to form Rockbridge County. In 1788 the northern part of the still shrinking county was combined with part of Hardy County to become Pendleton County. Augusta County assumed its present dimensions in 1790, when its western part was combined with parts of Botetourt County and Greenbrier County to form Bath County.

Location

Augusta County is located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, between the Blue Ridge Mountains on the east and the Allegheny Mountains on the west. It is the second largest county in Virginia, and has within its borders two independent cities, Staunton (the county seat) with a population around 25,000 and Waynesboro with a population around 18,000. There are a number of small towns with interesting histories in all parts of the county.

Demographics

As 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 26/km² (68/mi²). There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (28/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.02% White, 3.60% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.94% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 24,818 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.70% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.80% were non-families. 20.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 6.90% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 101.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,045, and the median income for a family was $48,579. Males had a median income of $31,577 versus $24,233 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,744. 5.80% of the population and 4.20% of families were below the poverty line. 6.40% of those under the age of 18 and 6.60% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Augusta County Fair

The traditional county fair has been a part of Augusta County history for well over 100 years. The initial effort to establish a county fair began in 1811 when the Augusta Agricultural Society was organized. One of the initial goals of this group was to start an agricultural fair in Augusta County.

The early fairs featured agricultural “stock” exhibits and competitions and also included home exhibits including hair and stock mattresses, currant and gooseberry wine, and homemade butter, lard, and soap, just to mention a few of the fair attractions.

From 1949 until 1953, the event was designated as the official State Fair of Virginia and expanded to one full week in length. In 1954, the State Fair of Virginia moved to its current location in Richmond. After the move, the local fair was renamed the Staunton-Augusta County Agricultural Fair. 

During the 50’s and 60’s, the fair included horse races which were held on a half-mile track that circled Lake Tams. The last fair was held at the Staunton Fairgrounds beside Gypsy Hill Park in 1963.

In 1970, the assets and charter of the Augusta County Fair was purchased by a group of five investors. In 1971, the name of the fair was changed to the Greater Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Fair. Although not agricultural in emphasis, this fair is still in operation and held each year on the Eastside Speedway grounds on Route 340 in Dooms.

About this same time, another group of agricultural leaders and Ruritan Club members in the county organized an effort to form a “agricultural fair” in Augusta County similar to those held in the past. The Augusta Agricultural and Industrial Exposition, or Augusta Expo, as it is now known, opened on the grounds on the Wilson Elementary School near Fishersville in 1969. The initial Augusta Expo fair was held under tents for two years until it moved to its present 200 acre site in Tinkling Spring at the Intersection of Interstate 64 and Route 608.

Augusta Expo sponsored an annual fair until 1992 when it was decided by the Board of Directors to cease having a county fair.

In September of 1993, a letter was sent out from David Fiske, then Agriculture Extension Agent for the County, to civic groups and interested individuals concerning a meeting to discuss starting the Augusta County Fair as we know it today. As a result of that meeting, the first Augusta County Fair opened on Wednesday, August 23, 1995.

2005 will be the 11th year for the Augusta County Fair since that 1993 reorganization effort. The fair will be held August 9th – 13th.