The "Georgia Queen"
Savannah city hall sits right on the river on what was originally known as Yamacraw Bluff. This is where James Oglethorpe, the city's founder first landed and began building the planned community.
This was the hotel we stayed at which is also right on the river and near city hall. We chose it because it is so centrally located for walking everywhere.
This building along Factors Walk is the original home of the Savannah Cotton Exchange. The Savannah Cotton Exchange building was completed in 1887 during the era when Savannah ranked first as a cotton seaport on the Atlantic and second in the world. In its heyday as a cotton port over two million bales a year moved through Savannah. The Cotton Exchange was the center of activity in the staple which dominated this city’s economic life before its evolution into a leading industrial seaport.
First opened in 1818, the Savannah Theater is one of the oldest continuously operating theaters in the US. In the adjacent Chippewa Square where I am standing to take this photo. Just a few feet away os the location where Forrest Gump was famously filmed on the park bench.
Forsyth Park is a large city park that occupies 30 acres in the historic district. It contains walking paths, a cafe, a children's place area, a Fragrant Garden for the Blind, and many other interesting amenities. Centrally located is this iconic landmark, the Forsyth Park Fountain.
The administration home of the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Founded in 1978, SCAD is now one of the world's most prominent design schools in the world. One of the specializations they offer is historical preservation.
We enjoyed visiting the St. John Cathedral. This one is the Mother Church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah.
The interior is peaceful and beautiful.
This is the oldest building in the original warehouse district. It's so old, it was built with random stones that were originally used ballast in ship holds. Ships arriving from Britain would unload these rocks before loading cotton, rice and other goods being shipped on the return trip. Ballast stones were also used to pave the early streets, etc. Today this building houses "Chart House" a popular restaurant.
West River Street. This street follows the rivers edge, along which much of the storied commerce of Savannah took place.
This is the bow of the "Georgia Queen" which offers daily excursions up and down the river.
The Owens-Thomas House is a historic home in Savannah just off of Oglethorpe Square. It is now a museum operated by the Telfair Museums. It is one of the nations finest examples of English Regency architecture.
Most people don't know (I sure didn't) that Savannah is the nations third largest seaport behind Los Angeles and Long Beach. The NYK Wren arrived and departed while we were there. This vessel is unique due to its size. It is one of the few brand new "Panamax" class freighters. The Panamax class is the maximum size that can pass the recently enlarged Panama Canal. It is 1200 feet long, 160 feet wide and 50 feet below the water line. The Savannah river is continuously dredged to accommodate the deep draft plus they can only arrive and depart at high tide.
Although, not of the Panamax Class, the MSC Loretta is another big one. They do manage to clear the Savannah bridge, but need to pass only at low tide.
"The Waving Girl" - Florence Martus (1868–1943), also known as "the Waving Girl", took it upon herself to be the unofficial greeter of all ships that entered and left the port of Savannah between 1887 and 1931. A few years after she began waving at passing sailors, she moved in with her brother, a light keeper, at his small white cottage about five miles up the river from Fort Pulaski. From her rustic home Martus would wave a handkerchief by day and a lantern by night. According to legend, not a ship was missed in her forty-four years on watch. This is a statue of Martus.
Conveniently located next to the Savannah Colonial Cemetary is the Dueling Grounds. This area, simply equipped with two benches is the site where dueling was done. Apparently this was used for many, many years with countless deaths here.
The Isaiah Davenport house is another historic home in Savannah. It was built in 1820 and is located just off "Colombia Square". Isaiah Davenport was one of the early builders of homes in the city, and this was his home. The restoration of this home was famously the first project of what is now the Savannah Historical Society which has since restored hundreds of properties to their original glory.