Explorations of Georgia’s oldest city, known for its southern charm.
Founded in 1733, Savannah was the first English settlement in what is now the state of Georgia. The city served as Georgia’s capital until 1804. Savannah was a planned settlement from the beginning. The historic district downtown has a street grid built around several squares. Live oak trees are everywhere and there are still some cobblestone streets. Very cute.
I’ve been living in the Savannah area for almost a year now and I’m finally getting around to writing about some of the places I’ve found. I’m a little behind after that 7 week trip to Italy.
I guess I should start where I first went wandering back in last November.
Jana Irving I started in a cemetery. Is anyone surprised?
Jana Irving Bonaventure Cemetery is one of my favorite cemeteries of all time. It’s also a great place to go for a walk.
Jana Irving From an April visit.
Jana Irving Heading into the Historic District with the very impressive Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
Jana Irving An interior shot from May. Perfect place to test my new wide angle lens.
Jana Irving Gorgeous building.
Jana Irving Lafayette Square. Savannah is famous for its many park like squares.
Jana Irving Also on Lafayette Square is the gorgeous Hamilton-Turner Inn.
Jana Irving The Andrew Low House, also on Lafayette Square. It was the home where Girl Scouts founder Juliette Low once lived.
Jana Irving Townhouses in Savannah often have their main entry on the second floor.
Jana Irving Because of all the amazing shade trees, residential areas in the historic district are hard to photograph on bright days. It never seems to be cloudy and not raining on my days off. This photo is highly edited to remove as much shadow as possible.
Jana Irving Lots of wonderful 19th century buildings.
Jana Irving Lots of Federal style buildings, as well.
Jana Irving Live oaks are everywhere, which is why Hurricane Helene knocked out so much power to the city.
Jana Irving City Market.
Jana Irving Palm trees replacing the live oak.
Jana Irving Johnson Square. One of the things I love about Savannah is all the green year round.
Jana Irving Down by the Savannah River.
Jana Irving On the aptly named River Street, are former warehouses turned into shops, restaurants and hotels.
Jana Irving I’m glad they didn’t knock all this down to rebuild.
Jana Irving Old warehouses?
Jana Irving The Talmadge Memorial Bridge. It is so tall because of all the giant cargo ships heading to the Port of Savannah on the other side. The entrance ramps are trippy.
Jana Irving A rare cool (the heat index was under 90) and overcast day in August allowed for some wandering.
Jana Irving Overcast days equals great photography.
Jana Irving Savannah also has a cemetery in the historic district, Colonial Park Cemetery.
Jana Irving And this is why I got a wide angle lens.
Jana Irving The Italianate Green-Meldrim House.
Jana Irving I’m sad to say I’m very behind in touring the historic houses in town. This house was really nice.
Jana Irving That plasterwork is amazing.
Jana Irving The house was once a family home. Today, it serves as the parish house to the church next door, St John’s Episcopal Church.
Jana Irving Madison Square across the street.
My explorations of Savannah have only just begun. I’m not in a hurry to visit everything right away. I need to space it out so I have places to go for a while.
Check out my next update where I explore the Southern Appalachians!
or
Check out other places I have wandered!
