History
As described in Mary L. Morrison's book Historic Savannah, "no City anywhere resembles the two square miles of old Savannah, with its wonderful town plan of 22 small parks, its river front warehouses once devoted to the cotton trade, and its rows of dignified dwellings shaded by tall oak trees." World renowned for its timeless charm and historic preservation, Savannah's historic district offers its visitors and residents a walk back in time.
The elegance of Savannah, GA immediately overwhelms the senses. The historical elements of this charming coastal community weave an undeniable web of intrigue that seduces many into the heart of this southern city. It is no wonder that in the early 1990's the French newspaper LeMonde named Savannah, GA "the most beautiful city in North America."
History of Savannah, GA
On February 12, 1733, James Edward Oglethorpe and 114 colonists, having crossed the Atlantic from Gravesend, England, arrived at Yamacraw Bluff on the Savannah River to found America's thirteenth colony, Georgia. Their purpose was to increase imperial trade and to establish a protective buffer between Spanish Florida and the northern English colonies, especially South Carolina.
In 1733, Oglethorpe designed the basic layout for Savannah, GA into tythings, ten lots per tything and trust lots, held by trustees for public use. Thus, Savannah, GA became "America's first planned city." This system of public squares, intended as central areas of fortification as well as social areas for the colonists, has been designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering landmark. Of the original 24 squares, all but two survive.
Savannah, GA saw military action during the Revolution when the city was taken by colonial insurgents at the outset of the war. In 1778, the British recaptured Savannah, GA. The following year the American army laid siege to Savannah, GA in an unsuccessful effort to retake the city. Finally, in July 1782, the British left Savannah, GA to return to England.
In the years after the Civil War, Savannah, GA's economy faltered. Cotton was no longer King. Many historic prospects were lost. The doorway of the Gibbons house on West Broad Street, now Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, was salvaged and found its way to New York to be installed as an entrance to the Early American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Perhaps it was the National Park Services' restoration of nearby Fort Pulaski in the early 1900s which revived the old civic pride dormant since Reconstruction (1865-1877). Whatever the cause, a few farsighted Savannahians felt that salvaging the remaining symbols of a bygone elegance was not a step backward, but rather the first real progress seen in Savannah, GA during the century. Since that resurgence, Savannah, GA's restoration efforts have continued to gain national attention and acclaim. Savannah, GA now has one of the largest landmark historic districts in the United States.
Historic preservation activity, an on-going private endeavor, was boosted in the 1940's when buildings in the Trustee's Garden area were restored. In the early 1950's several important public buildings were demolished. When historic Davenport House was threatened, seven courageous women formed the Historic Savannah Foundation and stayed the wrecker's hand at the Davenport House less than 24 hours before the demolition was to begin. Today, the foundation is a primary moving force behind Savannah, GA's Historic District revitalization. It is a private, non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to stimulate public participation in historic preservation. Over the years most restoration has been done by individuals, one building at a time. In 1966, the area from East Broad to West Broad from the River to Gaston Street, was designated as the landmark Historic District, one of the largest in the United States.
Savannah, GA's Firsts
As one of the oldest cities in America, Savannah, GA is more than proud of its long list of firsts.
Capital of 13th Colony and later of Georgia.
City planned on a system of squares
Trustees Garden: General Oglethorpe laid out North America's first economic garden or agricultural experiment station. Trees, herbs and other plants from all over the world were planted in the 10-acre plot, to evaluate their suitability for Georgia's climate and to share seeds and plants with the residents.
Salzburger Lutherans
Fleeing religious persecution in Europe arrive and establish a separate religious colony at nearby Ebeneezer.
Silk Exportation
Savannah, GA exported the first silk from North America. The silkworms made their home in the mulberry trees in Trustees Garden. Ultimately, the silk experiment failed.
English Hymnal
John Wesley, the 3rd rector of Christ Church, published the first English hymnal in America. He later returned to England and founded the Methodist Church.
Sunday School
The Sunday School classes organized at Christ Church by John Wesley are thought to represent the first Sunday School in the world.
Lighthouse on South Atlantic Coast
General Oglethorpe had the first aid to navigation in the South erected near the present Tybee Island Lighthouse. The first tower was apparently never lighted and served as a day mark. A second tower, built in 1742 and lighted in 1748, was the third light house in America.
Horse Race
On June 26, 1740, Savannah, GA held its first horse race. The track extended a little more than a quarter of a mile from the gate of the public garden on what is now Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the middle of Johnson Square.
Cattle Exportation
James Habersham and Francis Harris organized the first import-export business of the colony. Their enterprise made Savannah, GA an active port which competed with Charleston in selling products.
Georgia Gazette
The First Newspaper in the Colony.
Cotton Gin
Eli Whitney, a Yale graduate, invented the cotton gin while serving as a tutor on General Nathaniel Greene's Mulberry Grove Plantation outside Savannah, GA. This invention revolutionized the South, making it possible to process cotton on a large scale.
The S.S. Savannah
This sailing vessel with auxiliary steam power crossed from Savannah, GA to Liverpool England from May 22 to June 20, 1819. Two weeks prior to the historic voyage, President James Monroe, the second president to visit Savannah, GA, made an excursion on the vessel to Tybee Island.
Georgia Infirmary
The first hospital for negroes in the United States. Chartered on December 24, 1832 and established under the authority of the General Assembly. Thomas F. Williams left $1,000 in his will for this hospital.
Massie School
Georgia's oldest school in continuous operation, was built in 1856. It was named for Peter Massie who left $5,000 for the education of poor children. Regular classes were discontinued in 1974, but it continues as a resource center.
Rifled Cannon Use
Between April 10-11, 1862, federal artillery forces shelled Fort Pulaski, from batteries at Tybee Island, into submission in just 30 hours, marking the first use of rifled cannons in modern warfare. Fort Pulaski's quick demise signaled the end of brickwork and masonry forts, and the beginning of a new era in warfare.
Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences
The first art museum in the Southeast. Built in 1819 as a mansion for Alexander Telfair, the academy was left to the Georgia Historical Society in 1875. Period rooms with many Telfair family pieces are maintained. The museum's collection contains works by American and European artists, as well as special exhibits.
Savannah Cotton Exchange
The first time in America that a building was erected entirely over a public thoroughfare. Built over Factor's Row using the principle of air-rights, the Exchange was taxed for the space under the building as if a first story existed, but at a lower rate.
Motorized Fire Department
The first auto-combination chemical wagon was placed in service in Savannah, GA
Girl Scouts
On March 12, 1912, at her residence in what is now the Colonial Dames House on Lafayette Square, Juliette Gordon Low formed the first Girl Scout troop in the US. Mrs. Low's birthplace, at the corner of Oglethorpe Avenue and Bull Street, is maintained by the Girl Scouts as a museum and their national program center.
The N.S. Savannah
Now retired, this was the world's first merchant ship powered by an atomic reactor. Although launched in 1959 from New York, her home port was Savannah, GA. She officially entered service in 1962, commemorating the first trans-Atlantic steamer of the same name.
Forsyth Park's Fragrant Garden for the Blind
Planted by Garden Clubs of Savannah, GA, this was the first such garden in the Southeastern U.S.
Savannah, GA's Oldest
These are only some of the many institutions that have made Savannah, GA one of the greatest historic areas in America.
Congregation Mickve Isreal
The oldest congregation practicing reform Judaism in the U.S.
Bethesda Home for Boys
One of America's oldest orphanages
Georgia Infirmary
Oldest institution for the relief and protection of afflicted and aged African - Americans in the U.S.
Massie School
Oldest public school in Georgia
Solomon's Lodge
Oldest continuously operating English constituted Masonic Lodge in the Western Hemisphere
