A Historical Marker for Augusta’s Chinese Community

Honoring Augusta’s Chinese American Legacy

In the heart of Augusta, a new historical marker now stands at 548 Walker Street: home to the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA). More than a symbol, it’s a long-overdue recognition of a community that has quietly shaped the city for over 150 years. The Porter Fleming Foundation is proud to have played a role in making it possible. Installed by the Georgia Historical Society, the marker tells the story of Augusta’s Chinese population. Beginning with the arrival of Chinese laborers in 1873 to expand the Augusta Canal, the marker recounts the Chineses immigrant experience in Augusta continuing through generations of merchants, community leaders, and families.

Founded in 1927, the CCBA is the oldest Chinese organization in Georgia. Its mission has remained steady for nearly a century: to support Chinese residents, celebrate cultural traditions, and build bridges between communities. The marker now in front of their building reflects that mission—and the resilience of a community that has long contributed to Augusta’s cultural and economic life.

The marker dedication ceremony, held in May 2023, brought together city leaders, CCBA members, and descendants of the association’s founding families. The event featured traditional music and dance, a photographic exhibition, and remarks from Justice Carla Wong McMillian, the first Asian American woman appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court.

For many in attendance, it was more than a dedication. It was a celebration of identity, perseverance, and belonging—and a way to ensure that Augusta’s history tells the full story of the people who helped shape it.

The Porter Fleming Foundation is honored to have helped make this moment possible. By funding projects that elevate local history and cultural understanding, we aim to preserve the stories that define our region—and ensure they’re visible for generations to come.