Top 20 Facts about the city of Savannah in Georgia

By Aude – Wikimedia

Top 20 Facts about the city of Savannah in Georgia

Savannah City has for a long time been known as a gem because of its beautiful coastal landscapes, well-preserved architecture and vibrant history.

A lot has happened in this city from the civil war to a park in the city being featured in the classic movie, Forest Gump. It is also the oldest city in Georgia and is the county seat of Chatham County.

The city is abundant with recreational activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking, hiking and camping.

For starters, this state was named after King George II from Great Britain. It is home to Coca-Cola and has a beautiful coastline and exuding southern charm.

English is the official language while Spanish is also widely spoken in the State. There is more about this city that you will find interesting. Here are the top 20 facts about this coastal city.

1. The oldest city in Georgia

Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Edward Oglethorpe, a British philanthropist and a congressman. This makes it the oldest city in the of Georgia.

The city has a rich past making Savannah have a beautiful character and historical buildings. There are manicured parks, horse-drawn carriages, gothic buildings and haunted houses.

Savannah’s past has made it one of the most visited southern cities. It is known as the first well-planned city in America.

2. Savannah was a Christmas gift to President Lincoln in the Civil War

Photo by Nynne Schrøder on Unsplash

Being the most beautiful and well-planned city in the States, Savanna got spared from destruction during the civil war.  Union General Sherman had burned Atlanta to the ground.

He was impressed by the state Savannah was in that he offered it as a Christmas present to President Lincoln. In his letter, he described the neat squares and lush greenery.

3. Savannah’s Spanish moss

Savannah is known for its oaks with an idyllic drape of Spanish moss. One thing about the Spanish moss is that it is not a moss, neither is it a parasite plant.

The Spanish moss is in the same family as pineapples. These two plants are known as epiphytes because they absorb water and nutrients from the air.

4. Savanna was featured in the movie Forest Gump

Chippewa Square is one of the most popular squares in all of Savannah, right in the centre of everything. This is because the square was featured in the classic movie, Forest Gump.

One of the four fibreglass benches used in the film was donated to the city and can be found in the Savannah History Museum.

Another movie that was filmed in this city is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. This movie was filmed at the Mercer-Williams House.

5. Savannah-area General David Hunter made the first emancipation proclamation

By Bubba73 – Wikimedia

General David Hunter was a Union General during the Civil War. He helped runaway slaves at Fort Pulaski and other areas in Florida and South Carolina.

The former slaves had a special place in General Hunter’s heart that on 9 May 1862, he issued an emancipation proclamation for all slaves in those states.

This news was not well received by President Lincoln, Hunter persisted and in 1863, the president issued a presidential Emancipation proclamation.

6. Savannah’s First African Baptist Church was the first black church in the country

By Bubba73- Wikimedia

The Baptist Church in Savannah is one of the most visited landmarks in the city. It played a vital role in acting as a safe house for slaves.

It is also served as a stop for the Underground Railroad. The holes used for ventilation can still be seen on the floorboard on which the slaves travelled.

The church can be found on Montgomery Street. Being the first and oldest black church in North America it has been a haven for the black community since 1777.

7. Flannery O’Connor taught chickens to walk backwards in Savannah

Photo by William Moreland on Unsplash

Here’s a fun fact, Flannery O’Connor, a famous American novelist taught one their chickens to walk backwards.

she helped her family rear chicken as a young girl growing up in Savannah. Out of the many that she attempted to teach, one was able to walk backwards.

8. Moon River Brewing Company is considered by many to be Savannah’s most haunted site

Savannah is known as the most haunted city in America. One of its loved hangout spots also happens to be the most haunted building.

Moon River Brewery was initially a city hotel back in 1821. It was named as the most haunted building in 2014. This was after guests and staff of the building and tour guides reported apparition appearances for years.

9. Savannah has popular historic parks

Savannah is known for its cobblestoned streets and neat squares. This extends to its historic parks too. The parks are great for hikes, picnics and relaxing. The Skidaway State park has beautiful trails for you to explore nature.

Other parks in the city are Forsyth Park, Lafayette Square, Skidaway Island State Park, and Emmet Park.

10. Notable Landmarks in Savannah

James Oglethorpe Statue in Chippewa Square By Billy Hathorn – Wikimedia

Savannah city has several historical monuments, squares, and parks. There is something to explore and experience in every corner of this city.

Some of the popular landmarks are Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, Savannah Historic District, Bonaventure Cemetery, Telfair Museums, Wormsloe Historic Site, and Old Fort Jackson.

There are 22 squares in Savannah and each of them pays homage to the city’s history.

11. Best time to visit Savanna is During Spring

Although you can visit Savannah during any season, the best time to enjoy your trip is during Spring. This is because the city shines more between March and May.

The streets are more colourful and some several other exciting events and festivals happen during this period.

It is hotter and more humid during Summertime and the best place to be is at one of Savannah’s pristine beaches.

12. Savanna turns green in March

The city of Savannah hosts one of the gaudiest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the United States. It comes with a green fountain and crowds of merrymakers.

The celebrations extend to April when students from Savannah College of Art and Design host art festivals on the streets. Forsyth Park turns into an art gallery with exhibitions from students, and local artists.

13. Plastic cups are embraced here

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

You might be wondering what this is all about, well if you wanted to have your cocktail on the go, you can do it here. You can enjoy your drink while strolling on the streets or while on a tour of the city.

This law, however, does not apply to the entire city space. The Alfresco alcohol policy is observed within the confines of the historic district boundaries. Just drink responsibly.

14. Savannah’s squares were meticulously planned out before the city even existed

Before Savannah became a city, its meticulous squares were developed by James Oglethorpe. He planned out the squares after receiving instructions to develop the city. The squares are geometrically perfect as they were designed with communities in mind.

15. Savannah was a progressive city

By Bruce Tuten – Wikimedia

James Oglethorpe ensured that the welfare of the citizens in the city was well taken care of. He ensured that the poor had job opportunities hence avoid being in debt.

He gave free land to those that moved their families to his colony. These families would get a house and land to farm. They all received the same size of land and house.

He treated indigenous communities with respect. Oglethorpe had a good relationship with the Yamacraw tribe.

16. When Savannah was first founded, 4 things were outlawed

The founding fathers of Savannah city wanted a city that treated everyone equally in the 1730s. Therefore, when it was officially named a city, four things were outlawed; slavery, Catholicism, alcohol, and lawyers.

Slavery was again legalized in 1750 and successfully abolished in 1863, while Catholic faithful’s were allowed back after missionaries from Ireland landed there. They were allowed in for not being Spanish.

These missionaries built the massive Cathedral in the city. Alcohol found its way back into the city as the locals smuggled it in.

17. Savanna is home to the nation’s largest container port

By Jonas N. Jordan -Wikimedia

The port on River Savannah is one of the largest container ports in the south. It is a busy port and you will not miss seeing massive containers floating across the river.

The port has been the backbone of the economy in this city. And the locals here have an exciting game, for every ship that passes you get a shot from one of the restaurants with a view of the port.

18. Savannah’s Colonial Park Cemetery

Savannah’s Colonial Park Cemetery was opened around the mid-1700s and has served as the final resting place for many of the city’s popular personalities and locals alike.

Located on Abercorn Street, the cemetery has held the history of the city for more than two centuries.

The cemetery features oak trees with Spanish moss providing shade for the departed. Walking in the cemetery, you will see really old gravestones, written on them is the life story of the person.

19. Savannah had experienced battles too

Many people believe that since Savannah was spared from destruction during the Revolutionary and Civil wars, it did not experience the ugly side of the war.

A siege happened in Savannah in 1779 during the Revolutionary war. It was the last battle led by Casimir Pulaski who is buried in Monterey Square.

The army that took part in this siege was made of black soldiers that later took part in the Haitian Revolution. There is a Monument paying tribute to the Haitian army in Savannah.

20. Savannah was once the largest slave port in the south

By Jud McCranie – Wikimedia

The port on river Savannah not only served as a trade route for cotton and timber. It also served as the entry point of slaves that arrived from west Africa.

The warehouses along the river was home to the slaves awaiting new owners as well as storage units for cotton and other goods. One can see the holding points and marks on the walls that were used to chain the slaves.

Today, River Street’s dark past is remembered by the African-American Monument. There is also an African-American cultural centre displaying art and other historical artefacts.

It was formerly the Beach Institute that was also built in 1867 as a school for the freed slaves.