Aragon Park is a documentary photography project examining the decline of a neighborhood in Augusta, Georgia, shaped by segregation, industrial pollution, and decades of economic neglect. Established in the 1940s under Jim Crow laws, Aragon Park was one of the few places African Americans could purchase property, and residents built homes, planted gardens, and worked in nearby factories with hopes of establishing a lasting community.

By the late 1980s, however, it became clear that the neighborhood’s soil was heavily contaminated by pollutants, including lead, arsenic, and creosote, seeping from nearby industrial facilities. The EPA shut down the Southern Wood Piedmont plant for leaking creosote, but long-term health effects had already taken a toll on residents. High rates of cancer, respiratory diseases, and learning disabilities became common, especially among children attending the nearby elementary school.

Despite the city’s attempt to relocate residents, progress has been inconsistent. Strict guidelines, financial mismanagement, and undervalued appraisals have delayed compensation, leaving some properties abandoned while others are sold for minimal amounts. Few businesses remain, mostly churches, leaving behind empty lots and dilapidated homes.

This project documents Aragon Park’s physical and social landscape, capturing the impacts of contamination, health crises, and stalled relocation efforts. The images reveal the stark reality of a community in decline, shaped by forces beyond its control.