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On February 12, 1733, General James Oglethorpe and his settlers landed at Yamacraw Bluff and were greeted by Tomo-Chi-Chi, the Yamacraws, and Indian traders John and Mary Musgrove. (Mary Musgrove often served as a translator.). The city of Savannah was founded on that date, along with the colony of Georgia. In 1751 Savannah and the rest of Georgia became a Royal Colony and Savannah was made the colonial capital of Georgia. |
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Savannah, GA’s alluring Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966. When bestowing this status on the city, the U.S. Interior Department remarked that the city "retains much of James Oglethorpe's original city plan from 1733 of open-space squares surrounded by the rhythmic placement of streets and buildings. This plan was followed well into the 19th century and the district includes many buildings of architectural merit from that century." |
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The original city plan envisioned by Oglethorpe remains, with a grid of more than 20 city squares throughout the Historic District. Oglethorpe envisioned the squares to serve as a meeting place for town residents and more than 250 years later, they still do. Of course, those squares are now surrounded by beautiful buildings that date back to an earlier time. |
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Today, from nearly everywhere you roam in the city there is a chance to relive history. Travelers can experience Civil War life firsthand with a visit to Old Fort Jackson or Fort Pulaski, where they have daily cannon firing demonstrations. The Roundhouse Railroad museum, which dates back to 1830, has seven different railroad structures for exploration among other museums and attractions. First African Baptist, which once served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, now offers worship services open to all. |
