History

Recent History

It was the success of John Berendt's bestselling book, Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil - and the subsequent Clint Eastwood-directed film of the same name - that launched Savannah into the popular imagination. The 6.5 sq km (2.5 sq mi) historic district now has over 1000 restored Federal and Regency buildings. The tour buses poor into the town throughout much of the year, and the stream of tourists shows no signs of drying up.

Modern Day History

Savannah's modern history really begins in 1955. When the beautiful Davenport House nearly became a parking lot, preservationaists launched a campaign that went on to protect and restore the historic downtown.

Pre 20th Century History

Founded in 1733, Savannah was the first English settlement in the colony of Georgia. It became a wealthy shipping centre, handling the export of cotton and import of slaves. In the 19th century the railroads added to the city's wealth, bringing in ever greater volumes of plantation produce. During the Civil War Savannah was the goal of the Union General Sherman's devastating 'March to the Sea', and the city surrendered to him on December 21, 1864. Instead of burning the city, Sherman rested his troops there for six weeks before turning north to cut another path of destruction through South Carolina. The collapse of cotton prices in the late 1800s sent Savannah into a severe economic decline. In the long run, this may have been a good thing; had it prospered, the elegant streets may well have been demolished in the name of development.