Historical Evolution
From its day of inception Savannah grew as a British colonial town of military necessity and agricultural experiment. It was also a philanthropic experiment that aimed to put to work unemployed masses. The industries were selected carefully to employ men women and children. Silk culture, wines and drugs were some of the initial industries of the era. The first year saw ninety one houses, a public mill for grinding corn and flour, a public store and a public well. Communal plans were setup in addition to the laws for protection of the inhabitants. Regulations were built by Oglethorpe for continental immigration and conciliation of the Indians. Military outposts were formed as forms of defense. Though the Battle of Bloody Marsh in1742 made the English come to power only five years after that an uprising of the Indians took place with diplomacy and without bloodshed. With the expiration of the Trustee’s Charter in 1754, the colony of Georgia became the Royal Province.
Savannah grew primarily depending on Savannah River which provided an excellent opportunity of lively traffic. The establishment of the city was followed by laying out of roads to the interior towns. Communities also grew near river banks owing to navigable and hence economic transportation. Savannah was attacked in 1774 by the British but was followed by American victories. The destructive effects of the war were taken care of by repairing and rebuilding streets, buildings and squares. In December 1789, Savannah was declared a lawful city. Followed by civil and military developments, the city gained population and prosperity. The early part of nineteenth century Savannah comprised of a well to do road network linking important nearby towns with stagecoach schedules. These roads facilitated transportation and led to formation of roadside inns. State franchise or private developers would build bridges and roads to facilitate commerce. Navigable rivers and roads led to cheap transportation and provided Savannah an upper hand in trade. During 1793, with the invention of the cotton gin Savannah reached one of its peak era of trade and commerce.
Technology walked along the Savannah River banks from the late eight century. In 1819, the SS Savannah sailed across an ocean from Savannah to Liverpool, creating a transportation history. In 1834, a local banker and cotton merchant of Savannah had himself built the first iron vessel that America had seen. Railway tracks and carriages also commenced with the invention of steam engines and one of the first tracks of the state was the central of Georgia. In 1882 Savannah was ranked the highest in Naval stores port. Savannah’s trading industries though suffered a slight decline in the beginning of the twentieth century, it soon got raised with the declaration of World War. But the post-world war era saw a steady decline in trade. The Great Depression slowed things down even further. The inward looking place however was less affected owing to its conservative attitude in business affairs.
Savannah has experienced ups and downs followed by the landmark incidents that has influenced many American cities. Revolutionary War and the Civil war although has emaciated the growth and prosperity of the city every time, the city has reproved itself with its spirit to thrive. The biggest change that has changed the city’s fortune forever occurred in 1955 when the Historic Savannah Foundation was formed. The foundation aimed at reviving of the town center through restorations. It effaced Savannah’s devastating war memories and guided it to its renaissance era. Savannah was lauded for its urban planning. A number of buildings achieved National Historic Landmark designation. Presently about two thousand historic and architectural masterpieces beautify the city and flourish as one of the greatest examples of city planning and historic preservation in the United States.