INTRODUCTION

An early view of Savannah from the River.

When I go to a city museum, I always pay close attention because what’s been preserved to show you often signals what’s important to that community. While we have a myriad of wonderful museums housing important pieces of our city, we have one that can’t be contained.

Savannah is our showpiece. From Oglethorpe’s plan for the squares, the lots and the grid, the city’s architecture has become a living urban center with a heart formed of wood, fire, brick and stone.

While portions burned in the early 1800s, most did not. It was spared in the Civil War, unlike other Southern cities its size. The old grid has served well, inspiring others to build and create with respect to the vision and to encourage restoration efforts to continue to save and grow the city’s unique aura.

The buildings, their styles, designers and builders exemplify the diversity of the city’s beginnings and its future. Savannah is a crossroads of histories, styles and dreams. And those are what you’ll find when you walk the city.

This edition is not intended to be a dictionary or encyclopedia of Savannah’s architecture – there are many that do this very well. It is, we hope, an introduction or reminder of the many, many architects, artists and their stories that will make your next walk around town a little more interesting.

Thank you for reading.

Executive Editor, Savannah Morning News / savannahnow.com