Savannah Historic District

About this place

The Savannah Historic District is a large historic urban area in central Savannah, Georgia, roughly matching the old city limits. It was declared a National Historic Landmark District in 1966 and is one of the largest urban historic preservation districts in the United States. The district recognises the Oglethorpe Plan, a unique model of town planning begun by James Oglethorpe when Savannah was founded in 1733. The old city is built from small wards, each with a green square at its centre, surrounded by lots for public buildings such as schools, churches and museums and by residential lots, all set in a grid of straight streets. Millions of visitors come each year for its 18th- and 19th-century architecture and green spaces. The streets are lined with brick and stucco houses with iron balconies and front stoops, and giant oaks hung with grey moss shade the squares. Along the river runs cobbled River Street, its old buildings once cotton warehouses. Visitors walk from square to square, stroll River Street along the Savannah River among shops and restaurants, and visit museums and historic houses. Spring, when the flowers bloom, is the loveliest time.