During the American Civil War, the Union forces were about to put an end to the hostilities by burning a trail from Atlanta to the sea. If you remember reading Gone with the Wind, Scarlett finds out Atlanta is burning and heads back towards Tara. In Savannah, she encounters rebel troops fleeing the city, leaving it undefended. General Hardee made the wise decision to withdraw his troops from Savannah, seeing the futility of further conflict. The city was evacuated as best as possible, saving it from being burned to the ground. In Georgia, Atlanta is the symbol of new beginnings, whereas Savannah has retained all the charm of the gracious times described in literature.
The city was planned by James Oglethorpe in the 1730s, yet it has retained that unique style with residential blocks being punctuated by smart grassy “squares”. Savannah has managed to keep 22 of its original 24 blocks, with many of the buildings intact. Plaques on outside walls show the origins of the buildings and their year of construction.
Along the waterfront, even older structures are now taken up by restaurants, shops and stylish bistros. The Georgia Queen, a riverboat, float gracefully along the Savannah river where cargo ships and barges have carried goods for hundreds of years.
Leon and I walked through the city for a few hours, looking at statues, churches and former residences. In one park, Leon spotted a character who looked very much like Forest Gump, even down to the suitcase on the ground beside the park bench he sat on. It seems there are performance artists about the city to entertain tourists.
Turning my world upside down! 
We will stop in Savannah on our way home. It deserve’s a second look! Great blog thanks for sharing!
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We tried to find that campground you mentioned. I think it was the Red Gate Farm. We stayed there. They seem to have a shuttle right to the city. As it was, we parked beside the visitor center. Parking was only $2 for over 2 hours. Very good walking town. Glad we visited.
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The campground I was referring to is called Skidaway Island State Park. You could also park overnight at the visitor center for 6 or 8 dollars. I’m sure you are long gone from this area, but if you’re near Charleston, SC, this also is a charming “Southern Belle” of a city. We’ve never been, but intend on a look-see on the way to New England.
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You know all the best spots. Next time we travel in the US we must make an effort to us the state park more often. With us, it usually a matter of connectivity. But we have a plan for next time.
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The architecture is so elegant. I enjoyed hearing this piece of American history.
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Well I am no expert. I try to relate it to things I have heard or read. When researching, I realized we had driven through of around many significant Civil War battle sites.
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Mr ET would like to do the Civil War trail one day and I might see some quilts along the way.
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