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is a city in Butler County, Kansas, United States, at the confluence of the Walnut and Whitewater Rivers. The population was 8,423 at the 2000 census.
The confluence of the Whitewater River (Kansas) and the Walnut River was originally inhabited by Native Americans (primarily the Osage) who found the tableland ideal for hunting and fishing. In 1868 C.N. James settled in the area and built a log home to serve as a general store and trading post. He paid $40.00 for the land title from the U.S Land Office. He named the new settlement after his wife, Augusta. The James family original log cabin structure still stands at its original location.
The first train rolled into Augusta in 1881 to support the growth of livestock production and increased agriculture in the area. Shortly after the turn of the century two railroad companies would serve the town, the Santa Fe and the Frisco.
The discovery of oil and natural gas in Butler County lead to further growth and became a major source of employment for many years.