Did You Know? Savannah Facts from 1950-1999

1. In 1954, Savannah’s Historic Savannah Foundation was founded, marking the beginning of the city’s formal preservation movement.

2. The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum opened near Savannah in 1996, commemorating the role of the Eighth Air Force during World War II.

3. Savannah’s City Market was revitalized in the 1980s, turning the once-declining area into a shopping and entertainment district.

4. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, a novel by John Berendt published in 1994, brought international attention to Savannah.

5. In 1971, Savannah State College (now Savannah State University) became a member of the University System of Georgia.

6. Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace became a National Historic Landmark in 1965, recognizing the founder of the Girl Scouts.

7. The Savannah International Trade and Convention Center opened in 1998, becoming a key venue for conferences and events.

8. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge, completed in 1991, replaced the original 1953 structure, providing better access to Savannah’s port.

9. Forsyth Park’s Fragrant Garden for the Blind was established in 1963, making it one of the first sensory gardens in the U.S.

10. The Coastal Empire Fair began in the 1950s and has been a popular event for locals and visitors ever since.

11. The Lucas Theatre was saved from demolition in 1986, thanks to the efforts of local preservationists.

12. In 1980, the city held its first St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which has since grown into one of the largest in the country.

13. The Savannah Civic Center, opened in 1974, became the city’s premier venue for concerts, performances, and sporting events.

14. In 1961, the Savannah Symphony Orchestra was founded, providing classical music performances throughout the city.

15. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) was founded in 1978, transforming the city into a hub for art and design.

16. In 1950, Union Camp Corporation opened its paper mill in Savannah, becoming one of the largest employers in the area.

17. Savannah’s Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, protecting its unique architecture and history.

18. The Olde Pink House, built in the 18th century, was restored in 1971 and became one of Savannah’s most famous restaurants.

19. The Savannah River Queen, a riverboat, began offering tours of the Savannah River in 1991, becoming a popular tourist attraction.

20. In 1985, the Savannah Riverfront was revitalized, transforming it into a bustling destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.

21. The Savannah Music Festival began in 1989 and has since become one of the city’s most celebrated cultural events.

22. In 1957, Armstrong College moved to its new campus on the south side of Savannah, expanding its educational reach.

23. Savannah State University hosted its first Homecoming Parade in the early 1960s, becoming a cherished tradition.

24. The Oglethorpe Mall, Savannah’s first enclosed shopping mall, opened in 1969, drawing shoppers from across the region.

25. The Savannah Arts Academy, a high school for the performing and visual arts, opened in 1998, fostering local artistic talent.

26. The Mercer-Williams House, made famous by “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” was opened for tours in 1999.

27. In 1954, Savannah was struck by Hurricane Hazel, causing significant damage to homes and businesses along the coast.

28. River Street’s revitalization in the 1970s transformed old cotton warehouses into modern shops, restaurants, and art galleries.

29. The Savannah Film Festival, hosted by SCAD, was founded in 1998 and has become one of the premier film festivals in the Southeast.

30. Tybee Island’s Lighthouse underwent restoration in 1999, providing the preservation of one of Georgia’s most iconic structures.

31. Savannah’s Jepson Center for the Arts was founded in 1998, enhancing the city’s reputation as a cultural and artistic hub.

32. In 1963, the first public high school in Savannah was integrated, marking a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

33. Savannah OnStage International Arts Festival, established in the 1990s, showcased both local and international talent.

34. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport expanded in 1994, improving air travel options for residents and visitors.

35. Savannah’s waterfront underwent a major transformation in the 1980s, becoming a center for tourism and commerce.

36. In 1973, Leopold’s Ice Cream, a Savannah institution, reopened after being closed for several decades.

37. Bonaventure Cemetery gained additional fame in the 1990s after being featured in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”

38. Savannah State University celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1990, marking a century of educational excellence.

39. The Mighty Eighth Air Force Heritage Museum was established in 1996 to honor the legacy of the Air Force’s role in World War II.

40. The Old Savannah Tours company began offering historic tours in 1979, providing insight into the city’s past.

41. In 1953, the original Talmadge Memorial Bridge opened, connecting Savannah to the lowlands of South Carolina.

42. The Savannah Mall opened in 1990, offering a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.

43. The Juliette Gordon Low Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965.

44. In 1985, Savannah launched its first Tourism Leadership Council, promoting the city as a premier travel destination.

45. The Savannah Wildlife Refuge, located just outside the city, was expanded in the 1970s to protect local habitats and species.

46. In 1977, Armstrong State College began offering baccalaureate degrees, further expanding higher education in Savannah.

47. Forsyth Park’s Fountain was restored in 1984, maintaining its status as one of Savannah’s most iconic landmarks.

48. In 1992, the Savannah Sand Gnats baseball team was established, playing in Grayson Stadium, which dates back to the 1920s.

49. The Oatland Island Wildlife Center opened in 1974, offering environmental education and wildlife exhibits.

50. In 1964, Savannah became one of the first Southern cities to fully integrate its public schools.

51. Savannah’s Old City Hall was restored in 1979, preserving the 19th-century building for future generations.

52. The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum opened in 1996, highlighting Savannah’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

53. The Trustees’ Garden, originally planted by Oglethorpe in the 1700s, underwent restoration in the 1990s.

54. The Savannah Children’s Theatre was established in 1998, providing youth with opportunities to participate in the performing arts.

55. In 1950, The DeSoto Hotel was renovated, continuing its tradition as one of Savannah’s premier lodging destinations.

56. The Davenport House Museum was restored in 1963, marking one of the first major efforts to preserve Savannah’s historic homes.

57. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center opened in 1988, focusing on coastal ecology and marine life education.

58. The Wormsloe Historic Site became a popular attraction in the 1960s, offering tours of the historic estate.

59. In 1981, the Georgia Historical Society relocated to its current headquarters on Whitaker Street, continuing the preservation of Savannah’s history.

60. The Savannah Tour of Homes and Gardens began in 1935, but saw major growth in the 1980s, attracting visitors from across the country.

61. In 1956, Savannah’s Thunderbolt neighborhood gained national attention after becoming a hub for the shrimping industry.

62. The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum was established in 1966, focusing on Savannah’s maritime history.

63. In 1970, the first Savannah College of Art and Design graduating class consisted of just 71 students, marking the beginning of a now-renowned institution.

64. Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade became one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions by the 1990s, drawing hundreds of thousands annually.

65. In 1983, Savannah completed its Historic Savannah Plan, formalizing guidelines for the preservation of the city’s historic buildings.

66. The Jepson Center for the Arts, part of the Telfair Museums, opened in 1999, solidifying Savannah’s reputation as a cultural destination.

67. The King-Tisdell Cottage Foundation, established in 1981, has played a major role in preserving Savannah’s African American history.

68. The Savannah Book Festival, founded in 1998, has grown into one of the Southeast’s premier literary events.

69. The Savannah Book Festival, founded in 1998, has grown into one of the Southeast’s premier literary events.

70. The Chatham County Courthouse was restored in 1990, preserving its architectural significance and history.

71. In 1956, the Savannah Jaycees organized the first Miss Savannah Pageant, which later became a popular annual event.

72. In 1974, Savannah became a sister city to Patras, Greece, strengthening international cultural ties.

73. The Wormsloe Historic Site opened to the public in 1973, offering visitors a chance to explore colonial Georgia’s history.

74. In 1997, Savannah hosted its first International Trade and Convention Expo, highlighting the city’s growing role in global commerce.

75. The Savannah Music Festival, founded in 1989, became an international showcase for jazz, classical, and world music.

76. The Armstrong Atlantic State University Foundation was established in 1977, supporting the continued growth of the institution.

77. In 1987, the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System completed full desegregation, marking a pivotal moment in the city’s education history.

78. In 1955, Savannah’s Marshland Festival was launched to celebrate the region’s natural beauty and marsh ecosystems.

79. Tybee Island’s Marine Rescue Squadron was founded in 1959, providing essential coastal rescue services.

80. In 1993, Savannah’s Historic District was named a UNESCO World Heritage site, recognizing its global cultural importance.

81. The Savannah Chamber of Commerce launched its first tourism promotion campaign in 1962, marking the start of Savannah’s tourism boom.

82. In 1991, Savannah River Landing development began, transforming the waterfront into a mixed-use area.

83. The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home opened as a museum in 1989, honoring the life and work of the celebrated author.

84. In 1967, the First African Baptist Church was designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its role in African American history.

85. In 1994, SCAD held its inaugural Savannah Film Festival, which has since grown into a major cultural event.

86. Savannah’s Visitor Information Center opened in 1978, helping tourists navigate the city’s historical and cultural sites.

87. The Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, established in 1996, highlights Savannah’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

88. In 1995, Fort Pulaski was designated a National Historic Park, adding to its legacy as a key Civil War site.

89. In 1958, the Historic Savannah Foundation successfully preserved the Davenport House, sparking the historic preservation movement in Savannah.

90. In 1977, Savannah’s Trustees Theater reopened as a multi-use venue, furthering the city’s arts and culture scene.

91. The Savannah Theatre, first opened in the 19th century, was restored and reopened in 1999 as a live-performance venue.

92. Savannah’s Telfair Museums expanded in 1985, adding new gallery spaces and expanding their collections of fine art.

93. In 1989, the city of Savannah hosted its first Earth Day Festival, promoting environmental awareness in the community.

94. In 1961, Savannah’s Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist underwent major renovations to restore its historical splendor.

95. In 1999, Savannah’s Renaissance Savannah Hotel opened, signaling a revitalization of downtown hotel accommodations.

96. The Oglethorpe Trolley Tour Company, launched in 1995, quickly became one of the city’s most popular ways to explore the historic district.

97. Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which began in the 1800s, grew to become the second-largest in the United States by 1995.

98. In 1983, the Tybee Island Lighthouse was designated a National Historic Landmark, recognizing its role in maritime history.

99. The Historic Savannah Foundation successfully lobbied for the preservation of the Pirate’s House in 1961, saving one of the city’s oldest buildings.

100. In 1992, The Savannah Development and Renewal Authority was established to oversee the revitalization of the downtown and historic district.