Home…
I love living in the country…I feel very fortunate that my entire family lives in the state of Georgia and literally occupies every corner of it…
It gives me a chance to burn Georgia asphalt every which way…
Today on my way back from Athens I just couldn’t help but feel lucky to be able to drive through country farm land in my cute little farm girl dress…even when my older sister made fun of me for wearing it…
I’m embracing country life style and relishing every moment of it…
I think you’re a little late, guys.
Tybee Island, Georgia
and i’m so scared.
it’s been really hot and humid
perfect tornado weather.
but at least we’ll get rain..
Free Moral Agents @The Drunken Unicorn
April 2011
I just returned from what may be my 12th or so time in Savannah, so I figured I would take a moment to find out about the history of my favorite town as well as let the world know why that place is so awesome.
I discovered Savannah when I was a sophomore in college. There is an annual sport management conference held by Georgia Southern University (actually located in Statesboro, GA). Since then, I go any chance I am in the GA/SC/FL vicinity (Savannah is 2.5 hours from Augusta; 4 hours from Orlando; and 8 looong hours from Norfolk).
General History
Established in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia. In 1751, Savannah and the rest of Georgia became a Royal Colony and Savannah was made the colonial capital. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important Atlantic seaport. It is Georgia’s fourth-largest city and third-largest metropolitan area.
Upon settling, Oglethorpe became friends with the local Yamacraw Indian chief, Tomochichi. Oglethorpe and Tomochichi pledged mutual goodwill and the Yamacraw chief granted the new arrivals permission to settle Savannah on the bluff. As a result, the town flourished without warfare and accompanying hardship that burdened many of America’s early colonies.
Oglethorpe laid the city out in a series of grids that allowed for wide open streets intertwined with shady public squares and parks that served as town meeting places and centers of business. Savannah had 24 original squares; 22 squares are still in existence today.
Wars and Slavery
During the American Revolution, the British took Savannah in 1778 and held it into 1782. A land-sea force of French and Americans tried to retake the city in 1779, first by siege and then by direct assault, but failed.
After independence was secured, Savannah flourished. Soon, farmers discovered that the soil was rich and the climate favorable for cultivation of cotton and rice. Plantations and slavery became highly profitable systems for whites in the neighboring “Lowcountry” of South Carolina. So Georgia, the free colony, legalized slavery. The trans-Atlantic slave trade brought many African-Americans through the port of Savannah. Many who stayed in the area formed the unique Gullah culture of the coastal communities in Georgia and South Carolina.
During the Civil War, the city suffered from sea blockades so strict that the economy crumbled. “Impregnable” Fort Pulaski at the mouth of the Savannah River was captured by Union soldiers in 1862. The city itself did not fall until Union General William T. Sherman entered in mid-December after burning the city of Atlanta and everything else in his path on his “March to the Sea.” Upon entering Savannah, Sherman was said to be so impressed by its beauty that he could not destroy it. On December 22, 1864, he sent a famous telegram to President Abraham Lincoln, offering the city as a Christmas present.
After the end of the Civil War, the Reconstruction period began in Savannah. Food was scarce in and the economy was in ruins. Despite these hardships and the added burdens of prejudice, the freed slaves who remained in Savannah built a thriving community, with its own churches, schools and economic strength. Savannah became one of the most historically significant African-American cities in the nation.
Significant buildings that were saved and restored throughout the years include:
- The Pirates’ House (1754), an inn mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson’s book “Treasure Island”; the Herb House (1734), oldest building in Georgia; and the The Olde Pink House (1789), site of Georgia’s first bank.
- The birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low (completed in 1821), now owned and operated by the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. as a memorial to their founder.
- The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, built in 1812 as a mansion, was one of the South’s first public museums.
- Restored churches include: The Lutheran Church of the Ascension (1741); Independent Presbyterian Church (1890) and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (1876), one of the largest Roman Catholic churches in the South.
- The First African Baptist Church was established in 1788.
- Savannah’s Temple Mickeve Israel is the third oldest synagogue in America.
Savannah’s downtown area, which includes the Savannah Historic District (the only place I stay when in town), the Savannah Victorian Historic District and 22 parklike squares, is one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States (designated by the U.S. government in 1966).
Each year, the city of Savannah throws a major St Patrick’s Day party. The actual parade route changes from year to year but usually travels through Savannah’s Historic Park District. The Savannah Waterfront Association has an annual celebration on Historic River Street can be compared to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
The founder of the Girl Scouts of America was from Savannah (Juliette Gordon Low). Paula Deen and her husband call Savannah their home (hey ya’ll!). Big Boi (Outkast) and DJ Lord (Public Enemy) are also from Savannah.
Savannah was also the site for portions of the following movies: Forrest Gump (the bench that Forrest sits on throughout the entire movie), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (entire movie was shot there), Forces of Nature (last 15-20 minutes), and The Last Song and The Conspirator were both filmed entirely in Savannah, just to name a few.
Things that I personally love about Savannah-
- The abundance of squares and benches to enjoy
- Open container law (legally drinking in the street is always a win in my book)
- River Street
- The Pirate House
- The roof top bar at the Bohemian Hotel
- SCADdies (Savannah College for Art & Design kids that are so damn trendy and cute)
- The Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Historic Savannah that stays open until 3am on the weekends (its the little things in life, people)
- Shopping the consignment stores
- Huey’s restaurant (and the only place I order steamed oysters because I get to shuck them myself)
- Forsyth Park
- Cathedral of St. Johns the Baptist
- All the creepy, old cemeteries
Source: Savannah CVB, wikipedia.com
Have you ever been to Savannah? What are your favorite things to do there?
