Savannah in the Old South - An Historic Place

Savannah has been recognized as being a beautiful city in this country for hundreds of years. In the civil war General William Sherman burnt the cities and plantations of the South as he marched from the North to Atlanta to the ocean. Upon entering Savannah he wrote a famous letter to President Abraham Lincoln.
December 22, 1864
Savannah, Georgia

To his Excellency,
President Lincoln,

Dear Sir,
I beg to present you as a Christmas Gift, the City of Savannah with 150 guns and plenty of
ammunition; and also about 25,000 bales of Cotton.

W.T Sherman
Major General
Savannah’s journey began more than 275 years ago upon the founding by the Englishman General James Oglethorpe. On February 12, 1733 in the area called Yamacraw by the Indians, to be renamed Savannah, General Oglethorpe met the Creek Chief Tomochichi. This meeting began the start of a beautiful friendship sustained by the mutual respect these two men had for each other. In the first years of this outpost, it was named Georgia for His Majesty George II. General Oglethorpe can attribute Savannah to be America’s first planned city. From the moment you enter one of the 23 shady public squares designed by General James Oglethorpe, to the instant you glimpse the Forsyth Fountain you will know why it’s one of the largest historic landmarks in the country. Savannah continues to get more beautiful with the passage of time as evidenced by the 6.5 million visitors who tour the city annually. The 200 year old trees continue to grow, the shady gray moss continues to drape and the azaleas are in full bloom every Spring. The architecture tells the story of one of the South’s most intriguing cities and a casual stroll through Savannahs Historic District reveals the influences of Europe in the many mansions, storefronts and museums that line the historic streets and squares. There are many opportunities to take guided tours of the city either by walking, trolley or an old fashion romantic horse drawn carriage.

Explore the simple Federal style of the Davenport House to the intricate Gothic-Revival styling of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Temple Mickve Israel. The Italianate style inspired by the farmhouses of northern Italy can be found at the Mercer-Williams House and the Kehoe House. In fact, examples of most, if not all, of the nation’s 18th and 19th century prevailing architectural styles can be found here. You do not want to miss touring some of Savannah’s oldest mansions such as the Owens-Thomas House and the Mercer House, made famous by the novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Experience Civil War life firsthand at Old Fort Jackson and Fort Pulaski, and witness the daily cannon firing demonstrations that take place each summer. Visit the historic Roundhouse Railroad Museum and conduct your way through the seven different railroad structures dating all the way back to the 1830s. Attend a worship service at the home of the oldest African-American congregation in America, First African Baptist, which once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

If you are considering moving to Savannah, please check out this active adult community at www.moving-to-savannah.com. This is a gated-community that offers maintenance free living so you can tour Historic Savannah and the surrounding area. Life is Good at the Fairways at Savannah Quarters.