from
WorldWeb.com Travel Guide
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Majestic Live Oak Trees |
Seemingly misnamed, a true savannah is treeless, whereas the
City of Savannah is abundant
with majestic live oaks and budding azaleas that line its streets and frame
its squares. Savannah is rich in history, southern charm and unmatched hospitality.
Some of the finest homes, historic sites and museums in America are found in
Savannah, which boasts more than 1,200 historic structures and over 20 beautifully
manicured squares. Its historic district is among the largest in the world,
encompassing over two square miles of timeless architecture. Many buildings
in Savannah were built pre-Civil War, during the antebellum period; they portray
the best of an architectural era. Most are still standing today and have been
well preserved or restored. Known as the "Hostess City of the South,"
the charming bed
and breakfast accommodations found in historic mansions across town have
played an important role in earning Savannah its hospitable reputation, and
are unquestionably the best way to achieve a truly worthwhile experience of
Savannah. Situated at the mouth of the Savannah River, just 18 miles (29 kilometers)
from the Atlantic Ocean, there is no shortage of recreation
in and just outside the city. With a distinct colonial European feel, Savannah
has a truly unique ambience, unlike anywhere else in America.
HISTORY AND ECONOMY
Founded in 1733 by British General James Oglethorpe, Savannah
was the first English settlement in the British colony of Georgia, the final
of the 13 original colonies in America. Upon General Oglethorpes’s arrival he
began planning the city’s unique design. The pattern of squares surrounded by
streets and alleys that he designed eventually became the system of organization
for the historic district. The city began with four squares in 1733, and eventually
grew to include 24. Over 20 of the original squares still exist today. Each
park, or square, is characterized by a monument, statue, fountain, or bench,
and is named after a person or event with some significance to the city.
In the early years, shortly after the birth of the colony, General Oglethorpe and the founding Trustees of Georgia banned official slavery. Despite this, unofficial slavery was still practiced by illegally importing slave laborers from South Carolina. Colonists badgered General Oglethorpe, declaring that the colony would be poor until slave labor was deemed legally permissible. In 1750 the wishes of the colonists were granted, and slavery existed in Georgia for 115 years, until it was abolished by the Congress 1865.
In the early 19th century,
cotton was the prime industry, contributing to Savannah’s prosperity. Due to
the success of "King Cotton", many of the city’s residents were able
to build grandiose homes and enjoy luxuries from around the world. River Street,
the port, was constantly bustling with activity as ships were loaded with cotton
for export. Unfortunately, in 1818 the cotton industry crumbled when a yellow
fever epidemic overcame Savannah and the city was quarantined. Many ships were
re-routed and consequently never returned to Savannah’s port. Despite this,
the port has always been, and has remained an important part of Savannah’s economy;
it is now the largest foreign commerce port on the South Atlantic Coast and
is recognized as a major player in United States Maritime history.
The Civil War swept through Savannah late in 1864 when General William Tecumseh Sherman captured the city during his legendary March to the Sea. Luckily Savannah was spared the fate that so many other Southern cities along Sherman’s path of destruction suffered. The city was presented to President Abraham Lincoln as a Christmas gift that year. Most other cities were burned to the ground.
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A Classic Savannah Residence
Photo courtesy of National Park Service |
From the close of the Civil War to the 1950s life remained much the same in Savannah. Citizens worked hard to pick up the pieces from the war and regain their once prosperous city. The trends of reconstruction and preservation continued in Savannah through the next few decades after the war, and still continue today. In the 1950s Savannah prevailed again, even through the destruction of several historically and architecturally significant buildings, including the Old City Market. At last in 1966 the Historic Landmark District was designated, to include the area from East Broad Street to Gaston Street. The 1970s saw Savannah through the River Street Urban Renewal Project, which aimed to restore the glory of River Street.
Today, Savannah hosts an estimated five million visitors annually, accounting for its popularity as a tourist destination. In recent years the film industry has contributed millions of dollars to Savannah’s booming economy. One of the most recent and successful motion pictures filmed in Savannah is "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," based on John Berendht’s best-selling novel of the same name. The story, set and filmed in Savannah, was directed by Clint Eastwood and starred Kevin Spacey and John Cusack. Other recent movies filmed in the city include parts of Forrest Gump, The Legend of Baggar Vance and The General’s Daughter. The film industry is now a welcome part of Savannah’s culture and economy.
CLIMATE
Both residents and visitors of Savannah enjoy moderate temperatures year-round, with mild winters and very warm summers. Summer in Savannah is hot and slightly humid with temperatures averaging 80°
F (27°
C). Winters are mild with an average temperature of 51°
F (10°
C). The average temperature for the transitional seasons lies almost exactly in between. Approximately 49 inches (124 centimeters) of rain falls annually, and depending on the yearly amount of rainfall, the azaleas are in bloom from February to April. Azaleas embellish Savannah’s streets and squares in vibrant shades including everything from brilliant white to shocking pink.
TRANSPORTATION
Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes for your trip to
Savannah, because on foot is by far the best way to enjoy the city, especially
the historic district. Walking
tours are a great way to see and learn about Savannah, and the various tour
companies around town offer them in abundance. With different themes to suit
every taste, the tours range from offering an overview of the city to more specific
themes such as historic homes, gardens, pubs and the filming locations of "Midnight
in the Garden of Good and Evil." If you plan to drive around town, be aware
that parking is limited and by-laws are strictly enforced. The Chatham Area
Transit offers local
buses, as well as shuttles
around the historic district. The fee for local transit is nominal; however,
all-day passes are available through the visitor’s center for a flat daily rate.
Traveling in and out of the city, the Greyhound
bus system offers service to and from Savannah, with frequent connections to
Atlanta, Jacksonville,
FL and Charleston,
SC. Amtrak
also offers rail service to Jacksonville, FL and Charleston, SC with trains
departing between two and three times daily. The Savannah
International Airport is situated 18 miles (29 kilometers) west of the city.
Major airlines, as well as their commuter subsidiaries serve the airport. There
is shuttle
service from the airport to downtown Savannah and area. Many taxicabs are
also permitted to operate at the airport and they are always in abundance. Most
hotels offer shuttle service to and from the airport; especially those situated
in the airport vicinity.
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS
River Street
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| A Tugboat on the Savannah River |
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The cobblestone sidewalks of famous River
Street are adorned with upscale restaurants
and eclectic boutiques
and galleries. Everything in Savannah has a history and River Street is no exception.
It has not always been the prosperous area that it is today with shoppers and
tourists bustling about. Shortly after his arrival, General Oglethorpe commissioned
a man to build a wharf along the shores of the Savannah River, which became
prime shipping grounds for exporting goods over-seas. Over the years ships bound
for Europe were brimming with lumber, hogs and cotton. The riverfront remained
active through the 18th century and the early 19th century
until the cotton industry declined in 1818. Over the next century and a half
River Street remained virtually lifeless, until the 1970s saw a River Street
revival when a group of local businesspeople became determined to pour new life
into River Street. They joined together and created the River Street Urban Renewal
Project. At the cost of $7 million, the new River Street was unveiled in 1977.
Prosperous once again, historic River Street is perhaps the most popular tourist
attraction that Savannah has to offer. Nearly 70 booming businesses
and an array of festivals and special events that are held each year call River
Street home. When the sun sets on River Street, it becomes the heart of the
city’s entertainment and nightlife. This area can also be fully enjoyed from
the opposite side of the cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Many riverboat tours
of the area are offered each day, with different options, such as breakfast,
lunch and dinner cruises, with a narrated commentary.
Savannah’s Mansions
A trip to Savannah would not be complete without taking in a tour of at least one of its historic mansions, each with an incredible story to tell, and brilliant architecture to see. Many visitors to Savannah claim that the full splendor of these magnificent homes can only be witnessed in person. Even the greatest architecture books and photographs cannot describe or show their intricate detail.
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The
Davenport House
Photo courtesy of National Park Service |
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The Davenport
House was among the first historic mansions built that is still standing
today. Built and designed by Isaiah Davenport between 1815 and 1820, the Davenport
mansion is a brick Federal-style home. At the time it was built, the house made
a conservative statement, as the Federal-style was starting to wane in popularity.
The interior of the house, finished later in 1822, reflects the influence of
the more modern Greek revival style that was becoming the new trend. The Davenport
House now maintains its reputation as Savannah’s premiere house museum.
The Owens-Thomas
House has a deep-rooted history. Designed by Englishman William Jay and
completed in 1819, the Owens-Thomas house is considered an architectural masterpiece.
Carefully detailed, some of the finest features on the interior of the house
include a brass-inlaid staircase, an alcove doorway and portico supported by
Ionic columns. Outside, a formal garden and a view of the ornate cast iron balconies
await. With a varied past, the house has served as a private residence, an elegant
boarding house, and now a museum furnished with an incredible collection of
decorative arts and period antiques.
The Green-Meldrim
House, a Gothic Revival style home, was built in 1853. It was home to Charles
Green and was considered one of the town’s finest homes. Green gave his home
up to General Sherman during the March to the Sea, with the hope that it would
spare the city. The house served as Sherman’s headquarters in late 1864 and
early 1865. It was from here that President Lincoln received the telegram from
Sherman surrendering the city and offering it as a Christmas gift to the President.
Since then, the house has been declared a National Historic Landmark. It is
now furnished with antiques and among its many fascinating features are ironwork
verandas and a double parlor.
City Market
A stroll along the courtyard, or a ride in a horse-drawn carriage
are still as much a part of the City
Market today as they were 250 years ago. 1755 was the year in which
it all began. The City Market was buzzing with Savannah’s most prestigious social
and commercial life. Unfortunately, the first market building was not granted
the longevity that many would have liked, as it burned to the ground in 1788.
The second building followed in 1820. The third City Market fell victim to a
similar fate when it was torn down after serving as a dressing station during
the Siege of Savannah in the Civil War. After being rebuilt again, the fourth
City Market was torn down in 1954, after withstanding decades of harsh weather
conditions including a hurricane. As had become the pattern, each time the market
fell to the ground Savannah residents rushed to pick up the pieces, and the
fifth City Market was built and is still standing strong today. Once again the
hub of social and commercial activity, the City Market offers something interesting
to discover around each corner. Today visitors will find a great variety of
unique shops, fine restaurants and the same spirit that the very original building
possessed. It still remains a place of gathering, where friends can relax and
enjoy the sounds of live music that play in the background. Visitors will find
the historic City Market just two blocks from River Street. Despite difficult
times, the City Market still stands today as testimony of the strength that
characterizes Savannah; it has prevailed and thrived over and over again in
the face of numerous demolitions.
Tybee Island
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Playing in the Sand on Tybee Island |
Just 18 miles (29 kilometers) east of Savannah on the Atlantic
Ocean lies Tybee
Island, five square miles of glorious white sand and cool ocean breezes,
also known as the "Playground of the South." For a day away from all
that the historic city has to offer Savannah’s closest beach is a great choice.
Tybee is a narrow island, especially at the south end, which makes it easy to
walk from the beach on one side to the marsh that lies directly across. This
laid-back, small barrier island is the ideal place for sunbathing or swimming
and surfing in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Tybee Island has remained a
beach-lovers paradise with plenty of character since the close of the Civil
War. In addition to the beach and all it has to offer in terms of recreation,
the island also hosts a variety of beach villas, seaside restaurants
and many attractions
of its own. The Tybee
Lighthouse is a distinguishing island landmark that can be seen for miles.
The lighthouse grounds are definitely worth a visit. The lighthouse originally
served to mark the entrance of the Savannah River when it was constructed in
1736. Although it is not the original building, the tower is still standing
today, along with many of the original buildings still intact. On a clear day
visitors can see Savannah and beyond from the top of the lighthouse.
