Did You Know? Savannah Facts from 1900-1949

1. In 1906, Savannah’s iconic City Hall was completed, replacing the old town hall which stood since the late 1700s.

2. Johnny Mercer, the famed songwriter and co-founder of Capitol Records, was born in Savannah in 1909.

3. In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of the USA in Savannah, starting a movement still growing today.

4. The Great Savannah Races of 1908 were some of the earliest automobile races in the United States, bringing international attention to the city.

5. Savannah’s Union Station, completed in 1902, became a key transportation hub for the region.

6. In 1923, WTOC, Savannah’s first radio station, began broadcasting, providing news and entertainment to the community.

7. Bonaventure Cemetery, already famous, gained additional attention in the 1940s when it appeared in several popular publications and photo series.

8. Savannah’s Waving Girl, Florence Martus, continued her tradition of greeting ships along the river from 1900 until her retirement in 1931.

9. The Lucas Theatre for the Arts opened in 1921, becoming a major cultural venue for movies and live performances in Savannah.

10. The King-Tisdell Cottage, which preserves Savannah’s African American history, was built in the 1890s but became an important cultural landmark in the early 20th century.

11. The Great Depression hit Savannah hard, but by 1935, the city began recovery efforts with various New Deal programs.

12. In 1947, Savannah became the setting for a series of photographs in Life Magazine, showcasing the beauty and historical significance of the city.

13. Savannah’s River Street continued to be a bustling port area in the early 1900s, even as the automobile industry began to shift transportation patterns.

14. In 1904, Savannah Electric Company installed the first electric streetcars in the city, revolutionizing urban transportation.

15. In 1911, Wright Square became home to the Tomochichi Monument, honoring the Native American chief who befriended James Oglethorpe.

16. The Hotel Savannah, which opened in 1927, was one of the city’s most luxurious hotels during its time.

17. During World War II, Savannah Shipyards produced Liberty Ships, contributing to the war effort by building over 80 vessels.

18. In 1941, Hunter Army Airfield was established, serving as an important military base during World War II.

19. The Savannah Sugar Refinery, founded in 1916, became one of the largest sugar refineries in the Southeast.

20. In 1914, the Telfair Museum of Art became the first public art museum in the South to acquire European art collections.

21. The SS Savannah, a namesake of the earlier steamship, was built as part of the Liberty Ship program during World War II.

22. The Savannah Theatre continued to operate throughout the 1940s, hosting a variety of performances, including vaudeville shows and motion pictures.

23. In 1937, Savannah celebrated the bicentennial of its founding, marking 200 years since James Oglethorpe established the city.

24. Savannah’s first movie palace, the Arcade Theatre, opened in 1915, offering silent films and later talkies.

25. In 1909, Fort Pulaski was declared a National Monument, preserving its history from the Civil War.

26. The Savannah Morning News became a daily paper in 1923, helping residents stay informed about national and local events.

27. City Market, which had been central to the city’s commerce since the 1700s, was rebuilt in the 1940s after falling into disrepair.

28. In 1917, Savannah hosted a Liberty Bond parade, rallying community support for the U.S. involvement in World War I.

29. The Savannah College of Art and Design did not exist during this time, but its roots can be traced back to the post-World War II influx of art and culture in the city.

30. In 1920, Savannah’s Tybee Island became a popular beach destination for both locals and tourists, with new piers and boardwalks built during the era.

31. Hunter Field served as a key training facility for bomber crews during World War II after being activated in 1940.

32. In 1929, the construction of Savannah’s Memorial Stadium began, a venue continued to hold events and would go on to host major sporting events.

33. The Central of Georgia Railroad continued to dominate Savannah’s economy in the early 1900s, facilitating trade across the Southeast.

34. Savannah’s Fire Department, one of the oldest in the South, modernized its fleet with motorized fire trucks in 1911.

35. Tybee Island Lighthouse was fully automated in 1933, marking the end of human keepers at the historic site.

36. The Telfair Museum hosted exhibitions of prominent Southern artists in the 1920s, drawing art enthusiasts from around the region.

37. In 1918, Savannah’s port was one of the busiest on the East Coast, handling goods critical to the war effort.

38. The Oglethorpe Club, founded in 1870, became one of the most exclusive social clubs in Savannah by the early 20th century.

39. In 1932, Savannah’s City Hall dome was first gilded in gold leaf, giving it the iconic look it still has today.

40. The American Legion Post 135, established in 1920, became a gathering place for veterans and active military personnel in Savannah.

41. Savannah’s cotton industry continued to be a major economic force through the early 20th century, despite the boll weevil crisis of the 1920s.

42. The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist underwent major renovations in the 1930s to repair damage from earlier fires.

43. Juliette Gordon Low established the Girl Scouts’ National Headquarters in Savannah in 1912, located at her family’s home.

44. In 1924, the first commercial flight landed at Savannah’s Municipal Airport, marking the beginning of air travel in the city.

45. The Waving Girl statue was dedicated in 1938, honoring Florence Martus and her decades of welcoming ships to the Savannah River.

46. The Savannah Cigar Factory, built in the early 1900s, became a major employer in the region, producing millions of cigars annually.

47. In 1901, the Savannah Chamber of Commerce was established to promote business and tourism throughout the region.

48. Bonaventure Cemetery gained national attention in the 1920s, featured in magazines for its hauntingly beautiful landscapes.

49. In 1942, Savannah hosted a major Victory Bond rally, drawing large crowds to support the war effort during World War II.

50. The Liberty Ships produced at Savannah’s shipyards were critical in supplying Allied forces during World War II.

51. In 1927, the Benedictine Military School moved to its current location, further solidifying its role in educating Savannah’s young men.

52. The Savannah Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1935, bringing classical music to the city and enriching its cultural landscape.

53. In 1915, Savannah’s Chatham County Jail moved into a more modern facility, replacing the aging structure housing prisoners since the 1800s.

54. Savannah’s Riverwalk, though not developed until later, saw significant shipping traffic during the early 20th century.

55. Victory Drive, a key Savannah thoroughfare, was completed in 1920, with palm trees planted to honor World War I veterans.

56. The DeSoto Hotel, a grand establishment, was the tallest building in Savannah when it was rebuilt in 1890 and remained a major landmark until its demolition in 1968.

57. The Savannah Historic Preservation Movement began in the 1940s, eventually leading to the formal preservation of many of the city’s historic buildings.

58. In 1929, Savannah Electric & Power installed the city’s first traffic lights at key intersections.

59. The Leopold Adler Department Store, founded in 1871, continued to be one of Savannah’s premier shopping destinations into the 1940s.

60. In 1914, The Savannah Arts Club was founded, promoting the visual arts and becoming an integral part of the city’s cultural scene.

61. Fort Pulaski was designated a National Monument in 1924, guaranteeing its preservation as a Civil War landmark.

62. The Central of Georgia Depot, opened in 1910, became a major passenger station connecting Savannah to other Southeastern cities.

63. The Great Savannah Fire of 1906 caused widespread destruction in the downtown area, but the city quickly recovered.

64. In 1939, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a project to deepen Savannah’s harbor, boosting its capacity as a major shipping hub.

65. Tybee Island’s first hotel, The Ocean House, was replaced by larger resort hotels in the early 1900s, marking the island’s development as a vacation destination.

66. In 1930, Savannah’s City Market was rebuilt after suffering damage, continuing its role as a center for local commerce.

67. The Armstrong Junior College, now Armstrong State University, was founded in 1935 to provide higher education opportunities in Savannah.

68. The Savannah Lions Club was chartered in 1921, becoming an active part of the city’s civic and charitable efforts.

69. The Savannah Women’s Club played a pivotal role in the city’s cultural and educational development, especially in the 1920s.

70. The Savannah Gas Company, established in 1852, continued providing energy to the city throughout the early 20th century and upgraded its facilities in the 1930s.

71. In 1943, Savannah’s shipyards produced their first Liberty Ship for the U.S. Navy, part of the city’s wartime production efforts.

72. The Victory Arch, constructed in 1919, was built to commemorate Savannah’s contributions to the World War I effort.

73. In 1926, Savannah’s Tybrisa Pavilion was rebuilt after a fire, serving as a popular spot for dances and concerts on Tybee Island.

74. The Union Camp Paper Mill was established in Savannah in 1935, contributing to the growth of industry in the region.

75. The Central of Georgia Railway’s freight yards remained one of the busiest in the Southeast, helping Savannah continue its role as a major transportation hub.

76. The Oglethorpe Monument in Chippewa Square, commemorating Savannah’s founder, was unveiled in 1910.

77. Savannah’s Chatham Artillery celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1936, honoring its long history dating back to the city’s early days.

78. In 1944, Savannah High School opened its new campus on Washington Avenue, becoming a cornerstone of the city’s educational system.

79. The Waving Girl Monument was commissioned in 1938 to honor Florence Martus, a beloved figure in Savannah’s maritime history.

80. The DeSoto Hotel, rebuilt in 1890, remained one of Savannah’s most prestigious hotels into the 1940s.

81. Forsyth Park underwent improvements in the 1930s, including the installation of new walkways and landscaping as part of a city beautification project.

82. The Savannah Yacht Club, founded in 1869, expanded its facilities in the 1920s, becoming a hub for sailing enthusiasts in the region.

83. In 1915, the Savannah Golf Club hosted its first formal tournament, helping solidify the city’s love for the sport.

84. The Telfair Hospital for Females, established in 1875, continued to provide care for women throughout the early 20th century.

85. The Colonial Dames of America began preservation efforts for Owens-Thomas House in 1942, helping save the historic structure.

86. The Georgia Historical Society, headquartered in Savannah, began publishing more detailed accounts of Georgia’s role in the Civil War in the 1920s.

87. In 1908, Savannah’s Chatham County Courthouse was constructed, a key government building remaining in use today.

88. Savannah’s Jewish Educational Alliance, established in 1912, became a cultural and community center for the city’s Jewish population.

89. Benedictine Military School moved into a new facility in 1924, continuing its mission of providing education with a military discipline structure.

90. The Old Harbor Light, decommissioned in 1933, was preserved as a historical monument, marking its long service to Savannah’s shipping industry.

91. In 1946, Savannah State College (now Savannah State University) expanded its curriculum to include new academic programs in response to growing demand.

92. World War II Memorial Plaza was constructed in 1948, honoring Savannah’s fallen soldiers from the war.

93. The Italian Club of Savannah, founded in 1909, played an important role in preserving the city’s Italian heritage throughout the 20th century.

94. Savannah’s Garden Club was founded in 1927, organizing beautification projects and floral exhibitions across the city.

95. The Mighty Eighth Air Force, a key U.S. military unit during World War II, was headquartered near Savannah in 1942, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

96. In 1919, Savannah’s Armstrong House, which would later become part of Armstrong College, was built as a family residence.

97. Savannah’s Union Station, which opened in 1902, remained a major hub for rail travel, connecting the city to destinations across the Southeast.

98. The Catholic Diocese of Savannah, founded in 1850, saw major expansions in the early 1900s, including the construction of new parishes.

99. The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist underwent significant renovations in 1912 after suffering fire damage in the late 1800s.

100. In 1947, Savannah hosted the Georgia Historical Society’s Centennial Celebration, commemorating 100 years of preserving the state’s history.