When the Davenport House, considered one of the best remaining examples of Federation architecture, was threatened with demolition in 1955, a group of local women founded the Historic Savannah Foundation to fight its planned destruction. They were successful, and having saved their first historic structure, they went on to save more than a thousand more. Just over a decade later, the 2.5-square-mile area of Savannah built on the city's original 1733 grid was declared a National Historic District.
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n recent decades, two more events have helped to shape this city. The opening of the Savannah College of Art and Design in the late '70s brought an artistic energy that has proved a counterpart to the city's architectural and historical legacy. Today, the college operates as many as 10 galleries around the city, and it has been responsible for the repurposing of many historical structures. The second defining event was the publication in 1994 of John Berendt's bestseller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. The book, which brings some of Savannah's most colourful characters to life, continues to attract tourists from around the globe.
The best way to appreciate Savannah is by walking or by taking a carriage through its historic district and lingering in one of its more than 20 public squares. A great place to start your walk is along Bull Street, the historic district's commercial centre, and then head to President Street for the best of the city's museums. Along the way, you'll encounter fine examples of different architectural styles, squares with statues and fountains, and subtropical vegetation, such as wisteria, magnolias, oaks, azaleas, camellias and Spanish moss.
Savannah is, of course, also a port city. You'll want to visit the Savannah River waterfront to see the buildings that once housed its thriving cotton industry. Today, these buildings are shops, taverns, restaurants and offices. You may be surprised by the size of the ships that pass just a few feet from the river's bank.
About Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia's oldest city, boasts a rich and diverse history spanning over 285 years. Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, Savannah was designed as a debtors' colony, with a unique grid system and public squares that still define the city's character today.
During the American Revolution, Savannah played a key role, with the city changing hands between British and American forces. In the 19th century, Savannah became a major port city, with cotton and rice driving the local economy.
The city's history is also marked by its complex and often fraught relationships with Native American tribes, African slaves, and freedmen. The city's famous " Underground Railroad" helped hundreds of enslaved Africans escape to freedom in the North.
In the 20th century, Savannah underwent significant revitalization efforts, preserving its historic architecture and earning designation as a National Historic Landmark District. Today, Savannah is a thriving city, celebrated for its beauty, hospitality, and rich cultural heritage.
