Timeline of Savannah, Georgia facts for kids

Welcome to a journey through time in Savannah, Georgia! This timeline will show you the most important moments in the city's history, from its founding to today. Get ready to explore how Savannah grew and changed over the centuries.

Savannah's Early Days: The 18th Century

• 1733
  • Savannah was founded in the British Colony of Georgia by James Oglethorpe.
  • Four main squares – Ellis, Johnson, Percival, and St. James – were planned out. These were part of Oglethorpe's special city design.
• 1734
  • Reynolds Square was added to the city's plan.
  • Solomon's Lodge, a group called a Masonic lodge, was started.
• 1735 – The Mickve Israel Jewish community was formed.
• 1739 – October 5: Creek leader Tomochichi passed away. He was buried in Percival Square.
• 1740 – Bethesda Orphanage, a home for children without parents, was founded near the town.
• 1742 – Oglethorpe Square was laid out.
• 1750
  • Colonial Park Cemetery, a burial ground, was created.
  • Christ Church was built.
  • The Savannah Female Asylum, a home for women in need, was founded.
• 1754
  • Savannah became the capital city of the British Province of Georgia.
  • The Pirates' House Inn, a famous old building, opened for business.
• 1755
  • January 1: Georgia's first government meeting took place.
  • The Independent Presbyterian Church was founded.
• 1762 – Bonaventure Plantation, a large estate, was established.
• Around 1764 – The Christian Camphor Cottage was built. Many believe it is the oldest building still standing in Savannah.
• 1765
  • The Levi Sheftall Family Cemetery was created.
  • Greenwich Plantation was established.
• 1771 – The Habersham House, a historic home, was finished.
• 1773 – The Mordecai Sheftall Cemetery was established.
• 1775
  • January: A meeting called the Provincial Congress was held.
  • June: A Committee of Safety was formed to help protect the people.
• 1776 (or earlier) – The Eppinger House was built. It is thought to be the oldest brick building still standing in the city.
• 1778
  • December 29: The Battle of Savannah took place, and British forces took control.
  • Georgia's state capital was moved from Savannah to Augusta.
• 1779
  • A Town Hall was built.
  • The Siege of Savannah happened, where American and French forces tried to take back the city.
• 1782
  • The British left Savannah.
  • Georgia's state capital was moved back to Savannah from Augusta.
• 1786
  • Georgia's state capital was moved again from Savannah to Augusta.
  • The Chatham Artillery, a military group, was established.
• 1788
  • Savannah became part of the new U.S. state of Georgia.
  • The African Baptist Church and Chatham Academy were established.
• 1789 – Savannah officially became a city.
• 1790
  • John Houstoun became the first mayor of Savannah.
  • Franklin Square and Washington Square were laid out.
• 1791 – Warren Square was laid out.
• 1796 – November 26: A large fire swept through the city.
• 1799 – The City Exchange building was constructed, replacing one that burned in the 1796 fire. Columbia Square and Greene Square were also laid out.

Growth and Change: The 19th Century

• 1800 – Savannah's population was 5,146 people.
• 1802 – The Savannah Volunteer Guards, a local defense group, were established.
• 1804
  • The Seamen's Hospital opened to care for sailors.
  • Bonaventure Plantation was destroyed by fire.
  • Lebanon Plantation was established.
• 1809 – The Savannah Society Library was founded, providing books for the community.
• 1810 – The population grew to 5,315.
• 1812 – The Hibernian Society, a social and charitable group, was organized.
• 1813 – The Oliver Sturges House, a historic home, was built.
• 1815 – Orleans Square and Chippewa Square were laid out.
• 1817 – The Savannah Steamboat Company began operating.
• 1818
  • The Telfair Academy building was constructed.
  • The Savannah Theatre, a place for plays and performances, was established.
• 1819
  • May: The steamboat Savannah made a historic trip across the Atlantic Ocean to Liverpool, England.
  • May: U.S. President Monroe visited the town.
  • The William Scarbrough House and the Owens–Thomas House, both important residences, were built.
• 1820
  • January: Another fire occurred in the city.
  • The Isaiah Davenport House, a beautiful home, was built.
• 1821 – The city's first hotel, the City Hotel, was completed.
• 1824 – The Savannah Fire Company was formed to fight fires.
• 1825 – March: The famous French general Lafayette visited Savannah.
• 1830
  • The Nathanael Greene Monument in Johnson Square was finished.
  • The population reached 7,303.
• 1831 – The Savannah–Ogeechee Canal was built, helping with transportation.
• 1833 – The First Baptist Church was built.
• 1834 – The Oglethorpe Barracks, a military building, was constructed around this time.
• 1837
  • Pulaski Square, Lafayette Square, Madison Square, and Troup Square were laid out.
  • The Central of Georgia Railroad began operating, connecting Savannah to other places.
• 1839 – The Georgia Historical Society was organized to preserve history.
• 1840
  • The Sorrel–Weed House, a grand home, was built.
  • The population grew to 11,214.
• 1841 – Crawford Square was laid out.
• 1842 – The Convent of St. Vincent de Paul was founded.
• 1844 – The Savannah Institution for Savings, a bank, was started.
• 1846 – Bonaventure Cemetery was established near the town.
• 1847
  • Chatham Square and Monterey Square were laid out.
  • Fort Pulaski was built near the town for defense.
• 1848
  • The Customhouse was built.
  • The population was 13,573.
• 1850
  • The Daily Morning News newspaper began publication.
• 1851
  • Calhoun Square and Whitefield Square were laid out.
  • The Marshall House hotel opened.
• 1853
  • Forsyth Place, a large park, was laid out.
  • The Catholic Diocese of Savannah and Laurel Grove Cemetery were established.
  • St. John's Church was dedicated.
  • The Green–Meldrim House, a historic mansion, was built.
  • The Georgia State Railroad Museum was built.
• 1854
  • A yellow fever outbreak occurred.
  • The Central of Georgia Railway Company Shop Property was built.
  • The Augusta and Savannah Railroad began operating around this time.
• 1855 – The Young Men's Literary Association was organized.
• 1858 – The Old Harbor Light was put up to guide ships.
• 1859
  • The First African Baptist Church was rebuilt.
  • The John G. Lawton riverboat exploded on June 9.
• 1860 – The Central of Georgia Depot and Trainshed was built.
• 1861
  • March 21: The Cornerstone Speech was given by Alexander H. Stephens.
  • The Port was blocked by the U.S. government during the Civil War.

4 dollar banknote from the Bank of Commerce in Savannah, Georgia, 1864.

• 1864 – December 22: Savannah was taken by Union forces during Sherman's March to the Sea.
• 1866 – The city's board of education was officially formed.
• 1867 – The Beach Institute, a school for African American students, was established.
• 1868 – The Mercer House, a famous residence, was built around this time.
• 1870 – McCarthy's Business College was established.
• 1871 – The Abend Zeitung newspaper began publication.
• 1873 – The First Bryan Baptist Church was rebuilt.
• 1874 – The Youth's Historical Society was founded.
• 1875
  • The Civil War Memorial in Forsyth Park was dedicated.
  • The Colored Tribune newspaper began publication.
  • The Savannah Rifle Association was established.
• 1876
  • The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was dedicated.
  • Another yellow fever outbreak occurred.
• 1878 – The Congregation Mickve Israel synagogue was built.
• 1879 – The city's boundaries were expanded.
• 1880
  • A Confederate memorial was built in Forsyth Park.
  • The population reached 30,709.
• 1882 – The Ford Dramatic Association was officially formed.
• 1883
  • The city's boundaries were expanded again.
  • The William Washington Gordon Monument in Wright Square was completed.
• 1886 – The Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences opened.
• 1887
  • The Savannah Cotton Exchange building was constructed.
  • A railway connecting Tybee to Savannah was built.
• 1888 – The William Jasper Monument in Madison Square was dedicated.
• 1890 – The population grew to 43,189.
• 1891 – The Georgia Industrial College was established.
• 1893 – August: The Sea Islands hurricane caused damage.
• 1898 – A fire damaged the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
• 1899
  • The Kate Baldwin Free Kindergarten was established.
  • The Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse was built.
• 1900
  • The population reached 54,244.
  • Great Dane Trailers was founded as the Savannah Blowpipe Company.

Modern Savannah: The 20th Century

• 1901
  • City boundaries were expanded again.
  • Hill Hall at Savannah State College was built.
• 1902
  • Benedictine College was founded.
  • Savannah Union Station, a train station, was completed.
• 1904 – The old City Exchange building was torn down.
• 1906 – Savannah City Hall was built.
• 1908 – The Savannah, Augusta and Northern Railway began operating around this time.
• 1909 – December: The Savannah axe murders occurred.
• 1910
  • The James Oglethorpe Monument in Chippewa Square was dedicated.
  • The population reached 65,064.
• 1912 – The Girl Guides of America was founded in Savannah.
• 1914 – The East Henry Street Carnegie Library opened.
• 1919
  • The Armstrong House was completed.
  • April: The Savannah Centennial Pageant, a celebration of the city's history, was performed.
• 1920 – The population was 83,252.
• 1921 – The Lucas Theatre, a grand movie theater, was built.
• 1925 – The Savannah Economic Development Authority was established to help the city's economy grow.
• 1926 – Municipal Stadium was built.
• 1929
  • WTOC radio began broadcasting.
  • Savannah Municipal Airport started operating.
  • Savannah Technical College was established.
• 1933 – Greenwich Cemetery was established.
• 1935
  • Armstrong Junior College was founded.
  • Union Bag and Paper opened a paper mill.
• 1938 – The Atlantic Greyhound Bus Terminal was built.
• 1939 – WSAV radio began broadcasting.
• 1940 – The Coastal Transitional Center opened.
• 1942 – The U.S. Army Chatham Field (airfield) became active.
• 1950 – The Little Theatre of Savannah was founded.
• 1951 – The Palm Drive-In movie theatre opened.
• 1953 – The Talmadge Memorial Bridge was built, connecting Savannah to Hutchinson Island.
• 1954
  • The city adopted a council–manager form of government.
  • WTOC-TV (television) began broadcasting.
• 1955 – The Historic Savannah Foundation was organized to protect old buildings.
• 1956
  • WSAV-TV (television) began broadcasting.
  • The Juliette Gordon Low house museum opened.
• 1960
  • The Savannah Protest Movement began, working for civil rights.
  • The Travis Field airport terminal was built.
  • The population was 147,537.
• 1962 – The Savannah train station was built.
• 1963 – Savannah Union Station was torn down.
• 1967 – Grumman Aircraft Engineering Co. opened an office in Savannah.
• 1968
  • The DeSoto Hotel opened.
  • Abercorn Plaza shopping center opened.
• 1969 – Oglethorpe Mall opened for business.
• 1970
  • John Rousakis became mayor.
  • The population was 118,349.
• 1974 – The Savannah Civic Center opened.
• 1976 – Abercorn Cinema opened.
• 1977 – The City Records Committee was established.
• 1978 – The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) was founded.
• 1979 – September: Hurricane David made landfall.
• 1980
  • The Hyatt Regency Savannah hotel opened.
• 1981
  • Coastal State Prison was built.
• 1986 – Chatham Area Transit, the public transportation system, was established.
• 1988 – The Savannah Music Festival was founded.
• 1990
  • Savannah Mall, the city's second shopping mall, opened.
  • The Talmadge Memorial Bridge was rebuilt.
• 1991
  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was built in Emmet Park.
  • Lady & Sons restaurant opened for business.
• 1994
  • The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport terminal was built.
  • The bestselling book about Savannah, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, was published.
• 1998
  • Savannah Arts Academy was established.
  • Floyd Adams became the first African American mayor of Savannah.
• 1999
  • Georgia Tech Savannah was established.
  • The city's website went online.

Savannah in the 21st Century

• 2000 – The Lucas Theatre was renovated.
• 2002
  • The African-American Monument on River Street was dedicated.
  • The Islamic Center of Savannah was established.
• 2004 – Otis Johnson became mayor.
• 2005
  • Abercorn Walk shopping center opened.
  • The Savannah-Chatham Metro Police was established, combining city and county police.
• 2009 – The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra was established.
• 2010 – The population was 136,286.
• 2012
  • Edna Jackson became mayor.
  • Savannah Law School was established.
• 2016
  • Eddie Deloach became mayor, the first Republican mayor since 1996.
  • All of Savannah and Chatham county east of I95 was evacuated because of Hurricane Matthew.
• 2017 – All of Savannah and Chatham County east of I95 was evacuated again due to Hurricane Irma.
• 2018
  • Savannah Law School closed.
  • The city and county police merger ended, separating the two agencies.
  • Roy Minter was sworn in as the new police chief of the Savannah Police Department.
• 2022 – The population reached 147,780.

Images for kids

• 

  4 dollar banknote from the Bank of Commerce in Savannah, Georgia, 1864.