Savannah has one of the largest Historic Districts in the United States, with thousands of architecturally significant buildings nestled under giant live oaks hung with Spanish moss. Known as the Hostess City of the South, Savannah attracts visitors from across the country and around the World.

A stroll down Bay Street from one end to the other reveals a treasure trove of historic markers on the north side sandwiched between Factors Walk and the south side of Bay Street in addition to monuments and historical artifacts that such as the bench that commemorates the spot where General Oglethorpe spent the first night on landing in Savannah in 1733 right on up to many of the more contemporary 20th Century Monuments found in the Hostess City.

Unfortunately, the silk and wine industries failed to ever materialize to any great extent. Due to the distant sponsor's inability to overcome time and geography of that era, misjudgments were made regarding the essential importance of allowing the experiments conducted on the various plants in creating the important agrarian based economic conditions to sustain the fledging coastal Georgia economy. In 1755 the site was developed as a residential section.

Fortunately for the colony, before America's first documented agricultural experimental garden was abandoned all together, a viable cotton crop was first developed prior to shutting down the experiment. And from this hopeful beginning, this upland cotton plant was disseminated throughout the low country and beyond which later comprised the greater part of the world's cotton commerce. Cotton was not the only cash crop of that era. Both the State of Georgia and South Carolina owe their booming Peach economies today to the first propagated peach trees that originated at Trustees Garden that eventually became a main stay of farming communities across these two states.

Although the fort was first named Fort Savannah, it was renamed after Savannah lost to the British army in spite of the hard fought defense by General "Mad Anthony" Wayne and his troops. Additional early names for the fort were Fort Halifax and Fort Prevost. In 1852, The Savannah Gas and Electric Company purchased the main site the fort stood on.

After her retirement the Propeller Club of Savannah, in honor of her seventieth birthday, sponsored a celebration on Cockspur Island. A Liberty Ship built in Savannah in 1943, was named for her. The bronze statue depicting Ms. Martus (1869 - 1943), known to sea-farers of that era worldwide as "Savannah's Waving Girl" is located on the bluff overlooking the Savannah River just south of the east end of River Street.

After years of salty humidity eroding the cast iron post of this historic relic, the whole structure was found unstable in the 1990's. Restoration of the beacon light along with an additional forty three historical monuments in this popular historic district destination was undertaken at a cost of $3,000,000+ with the Savannah Morning News graciously donating in excess of $62,000 alone towards the beacon light restoration project specifically. The restoration required a crane hoist to fit the six disassembled pieces on a flatbed truck to be carried to the fabrication shop that completed the repairs. On completion of the repairs, the intact light was re-lit on January 11, 2001 in the Emmett Park location, making it once again a symbolic beacon for the seagoing vessels that traverse The Savannah River alongside River Street.

Savannah's Best "Fright seeing" Tour in America's most haunted city! Join your gravedigger guide aboard the "Trolley of the Doomed" for an evening excursion through Savannah's darker side. Hear tales of murder and mayhem, stories of ghosts, ghouls and other mysterious happenings and phenomena. Let us take you to the secret haunts that only the gravediggers know.

After Oglethorpe's initial landing in 1733 on what later became River Street, over the next 80 years, the port grew in importance as an exporter of lumber and cotton. Then, in 1818, a yellow fever quarantine forced ships to be rerouted. The riverfront then experienced a steady decline over the next century.

In the 1970's, The City implemented a major urban renewal program to revitalize the waterfront. The project transformed 80,000 square feet of abandoned warehouse space into a colorful array of shops, restaurants, galleries, hotels and inns, resulting in a revitalized historic area to be enjoyed by all.

Throughout the year, the Savannah Waterfront serves as the City's center for a variety of major festivals and special events. During these celebrations, the Riverfront Plaza is filled with live entertainment, music, food, arts, crafts, special surprises, interesting people and fun for the whole family.

Cruise along the Savannah River while you enjoy mouth watering local seafood, live entertainment and an ocean of fun along the Rousakis Plaza!

Located right on River Street Bernie's provides an excellent atmosphere for a relaxing meal.

The monument located in Reynolds Square was dedicated in 1969. Wesley is depicted at the period of his Georgia ministry, wearing his Church of England vestments. The sculptor, Marshall Daugherty, says of him: "The monument is as he looks up from his Bible toward his congregation, about to speak and stretching out his right hand in love, invitation and exhortation. In contrast, the hand holding the Bible is intense and powerful-the point of contact with the Almighty."

Events of historical interest are associated with Johnson Square. Here in 1735, Chekilli, head Chief of the Creek Nation, recited the origin myth of the Creeks. In 1737, the Rev. John Wesley, after futile efforts to bring to trial certain indictments against him growing out of his ministry at Savannah, posted a public notice in this square that he intended to return to England. The Declaration of Independence was read here to an enthusiastic audience, August 10, 1776.

In 1819, a ball was given for President James Monroe in a pavilion erected in the square. Eminent men who have spoken here include the Marquis de Lafayette, (1825); Henry Clay 1847); and Daniel Webster (1848). Beneath the Nathanial Greene monument rest the remains of the famous Revolutionary general and his son.

The Reverend John Wesley assumed charge of this congregation in 1736. While here, he began America's first Sunday school meetings and he published for use in this church the first English Hymnal in America. His brother Charles was at St. Simon's Island, where he founded Christ Church, Frederica. The Wesley brothers returned to England in 1737, where fame awaited these two priests of the Church of England. The main offices and parsonage of the modern day Christ Church is located at 18 Abercorn St. on Reynolds Square.

In the mid 1800's, a much larger and grander construction project replaced the original Oglethorpe home that stood here. The original corner stone of the Customs House was laid in 1848. The building was completed in 1852 at a cost of $146,000. Built of granite from Quincy, Mass., the structure is one of the most handsome and substantial public buildings erected in that era.

The Exchange was designed by the nationally-known Boston architect, William Gibbons Preston. His design won out in a competition participated in by eleven architects. The Old Cotton Exchange is believed to be one of the few structures in the world erected over an existing public street. The structure features beautiful iron railing around this grassy plot with panels featuring medallions of famous statesmen, authors, and poets, all of which once graced the antebellum Wetter House in Savannah.

Savannah's unique old English township city plan was envisioned and implemented under Oglethorpe's guidance. Lush city squares laid out in warrens in the landmark historic district have made Savannah's internationally known historic district one of the top walking cities in the United States and is noted as one of the largest designated historic districts in the US - one more reason that Savannah is noted as a perennial top 10 vacation destination for domestic and international tourists alike by Conde Nast.

All of these classes will be held at the store at 38 Barnard St and cost $40 per person and include recipes of all the dishes, healthy samples of all foods prepared during the class, a beverage and a 10% discount on items bought in the store on the day of the class.

Reservations can be made by calling the store 912- 236-0100 or on line. Reservations should be made at least 24 hours before each class. The website will list all the details for your permanent reference. Payment is to be made at the class when you arrive. All regular forms of payment will be accepted. If you decide not to come after making a reservation, we'd appreciate a call to let us know. Seating is limited to 15 and we don't want to disappoint anyone unnecessarily. Also, we are buying and preparing food for the reservations made and we'd like our quantities to be accurate.

We look forward to having you join our classes.

The new Talmadge Memorial cable-stayed bridge replaced the old cantilever truss bridge. The new bridge provides 185 ft., 56.4 m. of vertical navigational clearance. With a main span of 1100 ft., 335 m. and a total length of 1.9 miles, 3.06 km., the new Talmadge Memorial Bridge carries 4 lanes of traffic over the Savannah River with great beauty and style.

As a family-owned-and-operated cafe and bakery, we care about the quality of our food and our reputation among our patrons, so we take pride in offering baked-on-the-premises breads and pastry and freshly ground and brewed coffee and tea.

For mouth-watering food and drink, come to our European style cafe and bakery!

Breakfast Served All Day!

Part of the Savannah City Market was formerly known as Ellis Square which was the original site of the Old City Market. Space was at a premium in the 1950's and developers removed the market and built a parking lot amid much outcry with the preservationists. The very active historic preservation forces in Savannah tried to stop one of their cities beloved squares from being demolished, but they eventually lost the battle. However, the preservationists were not completely unsuccessful. They were able to save the remainder of the four block area and ensure that the character of the eighteenth century lives on in the many restaurants, shops and night life areas with events held throughout the year. And so today, the Market is thriving once again. People come to meet, to do business and to talk of the day's events. It is once again a social and commercial center of Savannah. And yes, there are still horse-drawn carriages.

This historic church is listed in the National Register of Historic places and was important even before the American Revolution. Organized by George Leile in 1773, it was the first black church in what would shortly become the United States. George Leile was a freed slave due to his master having died. He was ordained in 1775 and the church was officially created as the First Colored Church in December of 1777.

The present sanctuary was erected in 1859 by the members of the congregation doing the work themselves. The church is also home to a museum that contains items from the church's beginning in 1773. Included in the museum are written records dating from the 1800's, pictures of the seventeen pastors, newspaper articles from 1861, communion sets from 1814, and many other items of historic interest - a must visit for those with an interest in historic religious research in pre-revolutionary war colonial America.

Ordained in 1788 at Brampton Barn, the Reverend Bryan moved from place to place with his congregation and was even imprisoned and whipped for preaching during a time when whites feared any slave gathering as a focus for rebellion. He persevered and finally bought his and his family's freedom and purchased this lot On W. Bryan St. for his Church. Andrew Bryan pastored until his death, October 6, 1812. He is buried in Savannah's Laurel Grove Cemetery.

The museum was founded in 1966 to showcase maritime antiquities from the 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the models showcased include the City of Savannah, the Anne, the Steamship Savannah, the Wanderer, and the Titanic.

Hours:
Tuesday - Sunday 10-5