Savannah, Nebraska facts for kids

Savannah was once a small village in Butler County, Nebraska, in the United States. Today, it is known as a ghost town, which means it's a place where most or all people have left, and the buildings are often empty or gone.

What Was Savannah Like?

Savannah started around 1859. It was a good spot because it was close to Shinn's Ferry, a special boat service that helped people cross the Platte River. This ferry made it easier for people and goods to travel, helping the new village grow.

Why Was Savannah Important?

Savannah was very important for Butler County because it was chosen as the very first county seat. A county seat is like the main town or city for a county, where the government offices are located. People voted for Savannah to be the county seat in 1868.

Savannah's Post Office

To help the community, a post office opened in Savannah in 1870. This allowed people to send and receive letters and packages, connecting them to other places. The post office stayed open for about 12 years, closing in 1882.

Why Did Savannah Disappear?

In 1873, there was another election, and the people decided to move the county seat to a new town called David City. When the county seat moved, many people and businesses in Savannah decided to move their homes and shops to David City too. Imagine picking up your house and moving it! This caused Savannah to slowly become empty and disappear over time.

Today, the village of Savannah is gone, but its name lives on through Savannah Township, which is a part of Butler County.