Uniquely Savannah
Historic, Romantic, and Elegant
By
J. J. Scott
 Savannah, Georgia is unique. It was unique from the very beginning. When General
James Oglethorpe founded Georgia in 1733 he created a city of small,
interconnected squares. Each of Savannah's squares has its own special character
but all the streets are lined with live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Chris,
our trolley tour guide explained, “Spanish moss is not Spanish nor is it a moss.
And, it is not a true parasite. It is an epiphyte that gets its nutrients from
the air.” Regardless, it gives Savannah a picturesque, unique look.
 1. Savannah History Museum: Start at the beginning. The Savannah History Museum
is housed in the old Central of Georgia Railway passenger shed, a National
Historic Landmark built in the 1850s and 1860s. It affords an overview of
Savannah’s history its founding in 1733 to the present day including exhibits
about the Revolutionary War Battle of Savannah, a changing exhibit of women’s
fashions and Forest Gump’s bench.
2. On & off: Step on one of the trolley tours of the historic district. With
more than a dozen stops the best plan is to take one complete trip first then
decide what stops to get off. The historic district is very walkable so pick a
get-off spot the greatest distance from your hotel or car and walk. The guides
are full of interesting tidbits of history and local lore.
 3. A walk for everyone: Walking tours abound dealing with a variety of topics
from Haunted Pub Tours to Civil War tours to architectural tours. Movie buffs
will enjoy tours that highlight the many movies made in Savannah from “Forrest
Gump” to “Roots” to “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”
 4. The traditional way: It is the time-honored way to see Savannah and the most
ambient. Consider a nighttime ride when the gas lights twinkle and homes have
their lights on affording glimpses of their interiors.
 5. The River is the thing: If it wasn’t for the river there would be no Savannah
so no trip is complete without taking one of several cruises on one of the
replica paddle wheelers. Besides the traditional daytime narrated cruises there
are dinner, gospel, moonlight, and “Whodunit” cruises. Cruise past the Waving
Girl. The riverside statue honors Florence Martus, who waved at passing ships
for forty years with a cloth by day and lantern at night.
 6. Dimes for Daisy: Juliette Gordon Low birthplace called her friend and said,
“Come right over! I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah and all America
and all the world and we’re going to start it tonight!” With those word the
Girls Scouts began. Low’s Victorian home was restored with the help of dimes
raised by Girl Scouts. Located in the Historic Landmark District a guide shares
stories of the life and exploits of one of American’s most famous women. The Low
house is just one of many houses open for viewing including the Mercer House,
the Isaiah Davenport House which is home to the Historic Savannah Foundation,
and the Flannery O’Connor house.
 7. To Worship: The newly renovated Gothic cathedral Saint John the Baptist is
the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Savannah and inspiringly beautiful. The
First African Baptist is the oldest continuous black congregation in America
dating back to 1773. The church was built in 1788 by slaves for slaves after
they put in a full day in the fields. It was also a refuge for slaves seeking
freedom on the Underground Railroad. Air holes carved in the Church’s floor are
still visible.
8. To Remember: Colonial Park Cemetery is a park-like burial ground where,
Button Gwinnett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence is reposed.
Bonaventure Cemetery is the final resting place of Johnny Mercer but don’t
expect to find the “bird girl” statue made famous by the cover photo of
“Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” It is now secure at the Telfair
Academy.
 9.
The arts: The best artistic expression in Savannah may be the architecture. But
not to miss is Telfair Museum of Art, the oldest public art museum in the south.
Made up of three buildings, each of the museums offers a distinctly different
experience. The Academy of Arts and Sciences opened in 1886 in a stupendous
mansion. The Owens-Thomas House is an historic house museum while the Jepson
Center links Savannah’s past and present.
 10. Dining and imbibing: From Paula Deen’s to Wet Willies there is no shortage
of places to eat and imbibe. Many restaurants feature Low Country cuisine with
steaming platters of fresh seafood. Start the day with breakfast at Clary’s made
famous in the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” by John Berendt.
No one should visit Savannah without first reading. The book, based on a
real-life murder, and peopled with unique characters. One such individual was
Luther Diggers who ties flies to his lapels by the means of strings and walks
around with them buzzing his head. Each morning he ate at Clary’s Café. End the
day at Wet Willies where high-powered frozen Daiquiris are dispensed like soft
ice cream.
Savannah is unique. It is elegant, romantic, historic and never fails to charm.
Before visiting read “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and watch “Forest
Gump” or some of the other movies filmed in Savannah. For more information check
www.SavannahVisit.com or call 877-SAVANNAH.
Links: www.travellady.com/Destinations/georgia.htm – Savannah
www.travellady.com/Special/traveltips.htm
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