Walking past the participants of the Dionysiac Mysteries, we came upon what could be best described as the inner sanctum of the Hoffmann properties in Augusta. Freshly painted buildings and antique pickup trucks were arrayed around what looks to be an old feed or hardware store.

The Hoffmann buildings are labeled with what they intended purpose will be; for example, this will be used for horseback riding, apparently.

There are a large number of newly commissioned bronze statues that I know were not there last year that have popped up in front of some of the buildings as well.

This guy apparently is an homage to Jed Clampett, ’bout ready to go out shooting for some food. Empty trolleys with license plates from New Jersey drove by on a circuit around the town while we walked around the streets.

This building, with another nice coat of paint, will be a flower shop. There’s been an ugly trend recently in St. Louis of painting stone foundations, so I’m happy that they did not do so here.

While painting brick is not a great idea, if it has already been painted, it is acceptable.

There are a few stores left. Many people have forgotten that Augusta had a “moment in the sun” about thirty years ago, when there were many more stores and restaurants in town. Remembering how it used to be, I’m still surprised at how different it is.

I feel like I remember this house below once having a store in it at one point.

There is also a spa that is privately owned down the hill.

The hills are steep, and going down the hill from the future flower shop, the incline is apparent. There has been a major change in the grassy area just below the retaining wall.

A group of figures, which I guess represent Lewis and Clark, look out over the western entrance into town. This must be very recent, as the mulch was squishy and not packed down. They are very nice statues, and I liked the dog in particular.