The Talmadge Memorial Bridge was completed in November, 1990. It is described as a “cable-stayed bridge”, which replaced the previous cantilever truss bridge which was built in 1953. The bridge provides 185 ft. of vertical navigational clearance at Mean High Water. With a main span of 1100 ft. and a total length of 1.9 miles the new Talmadge Memorial carries the 4 lanes of traffic on Hwy 17 over the Savannah River.
We end our series on Postcards from Savannah with night scenes on the Savannah River.
Dusk on the riverfront in Savannah, Georgia …….
Sunset images captured from a paddleboat on the Savannah river ……
The Southern Live Oak is the most iconic tree of Savannah, Georgia. The evergreen Live Oaks with their drooping, curvaceous branches, draped in Spanish moss create the most atmospheric Southern quality to Savannah’s streets and public squares.
More than 40 percent of the buildings and homes found in Savannah, Georgia have architectural or historical significance. The restoration of these structures is often undertaken by passionate individuals in strict accordance with the rules and regulations put forth by the Savannah Historic Foundation. Restoration of historic buildings has thrived here especially since the addition of the Savannah College of Art and Design in the late 1970s.
A trip to Savannah is not complete without a visit to Leopold’s Ice Cream. It was founded in 1919 by three brothers from Greece. They learned the art of candy and dessert making from an uncle who had already settled in America. George, Peter and Basil Leopold perfected their secret formulas and created the now world famous Leopold’s Ice Cream.
Constructed on a lot overlooking Lafayette Square, the Andrew Low House reflects the urban genteel life of 19th-century Savannah. The upstairs features bedrooms for the owners, distinguished guests and children and the historic furniture is still preserved. In one of the home’s most innovative details is a 500-gallon cistern in the attic. Water from the cistern plumbed the kitchen and the bathroom. This was one of the city’s earliest indoor plumbing systems.
Built in 1848 for Andrew Low, a wealthy cotton merchant from Scotland, the Andrew Low House is a classic and elegant Savannah mansion. Facing Lafayette Square, its stucco and brick design meshes beautifully with the rich history of the area. The Andrew Low House preserves one of the finest collections of period furnishings relating to the history of Savannah and the Low family. It includes examples of works by some of America’s most prestigious furniture makers.
In the 1700s, City Market was Savannah’s central marketplace for people to trade, shop for groceries and mingle with other community members. After tragedies and demolition, today, life, charm and quirk are restored in City Market, and the lively marketplace is now one of Savannah’s most popular spots for restaurants, art galleries, shopping and nightlife.
Spirituality has been a big part of Savannah’s culture since the city was founded in 1733. Whether you want to attend a service, dive into history, see incredible art or experience architecture, there’s a little something for everyone at Savannah’s historic churches.
In the heart of Savannah’s celebrated Historic District, on the northeast quadrant of Oglethorpe Square, stands a grand old mansion, known today as the Owens-Thomas House. An impressive two-story structure on a raised basement, it was completed in 1819 for Richard Richardson, an entrepreneur, shipping merchant, and bank president, and his wife.
The Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist is an iconic symbol of Savannah, Georgia, gracing the skyline with its towering steeples. The church was dedicated on its current site on April 30, 1876. A fire in 1898 destroyed much of the structure. It was rebuilt quickly and re-opened in 1900. The Cathedral represents historically noteworthy architecture as well as over a century of faith and civic traditions in Savannah.
Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia was designed in 1815 and named to commemorate the Battle of Chippewa in the War of 1812. In the center stands a bronze statue of the colony’s founder, General James Edward Oglethorpe, who faces south protecting Savannah from the Spanish in Florida. The Eastman-Stoddard House is a 12,000 sq ft Greek Revival Mansion which overlooks Chippewa Square. Although construction of this Greek revival mansion was started in 1844 for Moses Eastman, a local silversmith, it was not completed until 1847 for John Stoddard.
Chippewa Square is also known as Forrest Gump Square, where the bus stop scenes from the Oscar winning motion picture were filmed on the north end of the square.
Madison Square in Savannah, Georgia was designed in 1837 and named to honor James Madison, the fourth president of the United States. In the center stands a monument of Sergeant William Jasper who fell during the Siege of Savannah in 1779. The Green-Meldrim House was built in 1850 for cotton merchant Charles Green. In 1892 the home was purchased by Judge Peter Meldrim whose heirs later sold it to St. John’s Episcopal Church (formed in 1841). The home’s amazing past includes a brief residency by General Sherman after he took the city in 1864.
Reynolds Square in Savannah, Georgia was designed in 1733 and named for Georgia’s first Royal Governor, John Reynolds. In the center stands a monument to John Wesley, the founder of Methodism and the Anglican minister to the colony in 1736. The Olde Pink House, Savannah’s only 18th century mansion, is famous for memorable dining experiences. The historic Lucas Theatre for the Arts built in 1921 was closed in 1976 and slated to be demolished, but preservation efforts led to the theater reopening in 2000. The theater, owned by the Savannah College of Art and Design, is the home venue for the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra.
The original four squares (Johnson, Wright, Ellis, Telfair) of Savannah date to 1733 and were a distinctive part of James Oglethorpe’s plan for the city. Eventually squares were located in the center of each of the city’s 24 neighborhoods or “wards.” Savannah’s remaining 22 squares are located across a one-square-mile area of downtown. Each square is typically 200 feet north to south and 100 to 300 feet east to west.
Wright Square was designed in 1733 and named for Sir James Wright, Georgia’s third and last colonial governor. The monument in the square honors William Washington Gordon, an early mayor of Savannah who established the Central of Georgia Railroad. The large boulder marks the grave of Tomochichi, the Yamacraw Indian Chief who welcomed General Oglethorpe and the first colonists.
Opened on January 2, 1906, City Hall is the first building constructed by the citizens of Savannah expressly and exclusively to serve as the seat of municipal government. A spectacular architectural masterpiece, City Hall features a domed roof that rises 70 feet into the air. It was originally made in copper but was gilded in 1987 with sheets of 23-karat gold leaf.
River Street in Savannah, Georgia is a glittering, multi-faceted gem along the broad Savannah River. The century old buildings, once cotton warehouses, have been converted to antique shops, distinctive boutiques, spectacular galleries, quaint brew pubs, fabulous restaurants, unique nightspots, elegant inns and hotels. Cruising on a paddleboat under the Talmadge Memorial Bridge is an experience.
Posting a newer format to my blog – a postcard collage of images from Savannah.
Savannah, a coastal Georgia city, is separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River. It is known for manicured parks, horse-drawn carriages and antebellum (pre Civil War) architecture. Its historic district is filled with cobblestoned squares and parks
