Historic Savannah Map & Guide - Summer 2025

Welcome

22

Number of city squares in Savannah’s historic district. There were originally 24

2.031 mi²

Size of Savannah’s historic district. The largest in the USA.

1,700

Number of restored buildings in Savannah’s historic district.

1733

The year James Oglethorpe and his colonists founded Savannah.

800

Flms shot in Savannah and neighboring Tybee Island since 199 4’s “Forrest Gump”.

17,000,000

Number of visitors to Savannah (one day and longer) in 2023

Savannah Tidbits

Savannah was named after its river, which derived its name from a band of Shawnee Indians known as Savana, who setttled in present day Augusta in 16 81.

Savannah was founded in 1733 by Englishman James Edward Oglethorpe. His plan, as approved by King George II, was a colony where England’s poor could pay off their debts through hard work, and not prison.

One of the Revolutionary War’s great battles was the Siege of Savannah. Wi the city under British control, American Patriots and French allies invaded. After a bloody battle the British retained cont rol. One can visit the site and a memorial of the battle on MLK Blvd.

founded the Historic Savannah Foundation, the city was saved. Today, the two square mile historic district is the largest in the USA. Savannah played an integral role in the Atlantic slave trade. It served as the hub of the International slave trade in the south east of America, ving shipments of enslaved Africans.

Bird Girl (left), by photographer Jack Leigh is one of the most iconic symbols of Savannah, and graces the cover “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”. An unofficial tourist attraction, the statue is now located at the Telfair Museum after resting many years at Bonaventure Cemetary 0on the Trosdal family plot.

Getting Around

Navigating Savannah’s downtown is easy by foot, shuttle, bicycle or ferry. DOT (con nectonthedot.com) is a free shuttle with many stops. Savannah Belles Ferry, the nation’s first waterjet hybrid ferries are also free. Bicycles can be rented at several local bike shops. Bicycle taxis can be found throughout the city.

Savannah’s historic district was almost destroyed. Neglect, de-population and developers desire to “renew” the city were a triple threat. But through the tenacity of commited citizens, who

Savannah’s port has been central to its economy and growth. Today it is the third busiest in the USA. It is a major employer, supplier and economic genera tor in the Southeast.

Summer Happenings

The Savannah VOICE Festival, blends opera, art song, musical theater, cabaret, and master-classes with both performances and community education programs. Themed “Once Upon a Time,” the 2025 Festival (8/7-17) offers a a world premiere opera, celebratory master classes, cabaret and culminating in Verdi’s Rigoletto

Forsyth Farmers & Artists Market, Saturdays 9am-1pm

August Openings at the SCAD Museum of Art

Weekly farmers and artists market in Forsyth Park. Local organic farmers, food pur veyors and artists exhibiting their work.

August will be a busy month at the SCAD Museum of Art, with six new exhibitions including: Michi Meko: So Black and So Blue (8/22) Large-scale paintings that engage with the African American experience of navigating public spaces, especially in the American South, Davina Semo: A Gathering of Bells (8/4) Centers on the cultural and social symbolism of bells, and Andrew Roberts: Haunted (8/8) A visually immersive exhibition drawing from horror and video-game aesthetics to interrogate cultural and economic systems’ darker dimensions.

Michi Meko at SCAD