Savannah, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Savannah, North Carolina
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 Savannah, North Carolina
Location in North Carolina
Savannah, North Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Jackson |
| Elevation | 2,483 ft (757 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 828 |
| GNIS feature ID | 996296 |
Savannah is a small, unincorporated community located in Jackson County, North Carolina, in the United States. It sits along two main roads, North Carolina Highway 116 and US 441. You can find Savannah south of Dillsboro and southeast of Webster.
Savannah has its own fire department and a community center. You'll also see various businesses along the main highways. Beyond these, the area is mostly made up of homes.
Contents
Exploring Savannah's Past
Savannah Township was first settled after the 1830s. Early settlers built their farms in the valleys and hills. Many old cemeteries and churches in the area date back to this time. The church buildings you see today are much newer, but their roots are very old.
Savannah Creek helped shape the valley over millions of years. This creek flows northwest, following the path of US 441 and NC 116. It eventually empties into the Tuckasegee River near Webster.
Early Communities and Schools
The Savannah area was once home to several smaller communities. Each often had its own school, store, community center, and post office. Some of these communities were Greens Creek, Gay, Viewpoint, Olivet, and East Fork.
In the 1920s, new schools opened at Greens Creek and Gay. These schools combined several one-room schoolhouses into bigger buildings. This was a big step forward for education in the area.
Connecting Savannah to the World
The 1920s also brought better roads to Savannah. A two-lane paved highway, US 441, was built. This road connected Savannah to places like Franklin and Dillsboro. It made it easier for people to travel and for goods to move in and out of the community.
However, there were still challenges. Schools in rural areas like Savannah often had shorter terms than town schools. This meant students in Savannah sometimes took longer to finish their grades. Many students even dropped out before finishing elementary or high school.
A Modern School for Savannah
Things began to improve in 1936 with the opening of the old Webster Rock School. A major change happened in 1940 when the Savannah Consolidated School opened. This new school served students from Greens Creek and Savannah Townships.
The Savannah Consolidated School had seven classrooms, a lunchroom, and a gym/auditorium. For the first time, students in Savannah had modern facilities. They enjoyed electric lights and indoor restrooms. The building was very modern for its time.
Even with its great features, the school quickly became crowded. Many students who had been going to schools in other towns like Webster or Sylva came to the new Savannah school. In 1955, the school was expanded. Four new classrooms and new restrooms were added. This helped ease the crowding and allowed the lunchroom to grow. The school served about 300 students until it closed in 1973. Today, the building is used as an antique mall.
Roads and Modern Life
In 1955, the road between Gold City and Dillsboro was improved. It was made wider and straighter. Later, in the 1970s, it was expanded even more to five lanes. Some parts of the older 1920s and 1950s roads still exist as side roads.
Savannah Township has had its own fire department since the 1980s. The community also has a center and several businesses along the highway. Many plant nurseries are in the area too.
The highway offers amazing views of the mountains. You can also find several churches in Savannah, including Victory Baptist Church & Christian School. The community has natural beauty, like a waterfall, and interesting landmarks, such as a 1930s "See Rock City Barn." Savannah is a lively rural community with a rich history.
