Savannah: An American Haven of Historical Architecture
When pondering the history of a modern country like the United States, it can be challenging to think of American cities as bastions of history or of housing magnificent architecture from a bygone era.
Undoubtedly, when compared to its European counterparts, the United States has had a shorter existence. Nonetheless, renowned American cities are considered around the world as strongholds of marvelous architectural movements and cultural epicenters that emit a profound sense of identity. Cities that have nevertheless preserved the unique characteristics and built environments of the growing American narrative, shaping its dynamic society.
Savannah, Georgia, one of the south's most romantic and elegant coastal cities, is one of those significant American locales that has kept a pristine architectural record of its passage through time, including one of the best-preserved waterfronts in America on its famed River Street. Throughout Savannah, its city streets are celebrated for their finely maintained and wide-ranging architectural styles visible throughout its historic district. To this present day, Savannah is considered one of the most charming, walkable, landmark destinations in the United States of America.
The story of the city of Savannah starts with its founding in 1733 by British General James Oglethorpe. Unique and still puzzling to today's historians, Savannah's urban planning was laid out through the Oglethorpe plan on a grid pattern with wide streets and many public squares. Remarkably, this plan generated one of the best-designed cities in the country. Through initiatives that started in England, the British government authorized Oglethorpe to create the last new colonial capital in America in over five decades. Oglethorpe had never established a new settlement in the Colonies before. Still, it's speculated that he left behind the cramped and congested European medieval street plan of earlier Colonies for a grid plan that provided an abundance of open space. Oglethorpe's plan stood the test of time. From horse-drawn carriages to automobiles, it translated well into contemporary times, including the immense population growth since its formation, something Oglethorpe most likely did not anticipate. Ultimately, the successful plan integrated neighborhoods between residential and commercial blocks that shared space with blocks reserved for public greenery, creating an excellent environment for walkability.
Initiating its legal history in the 18th century and using the ingenious Oglethorpe plan, the city of Savannah begins to shape its individuality as one of the principal seaports of the east coast and as a fascinating destination for the development of art, commerce, and culture.
Subsequently, as time progressed, many architectural styles began to sprout in the appealing streets of Savannah. Architects found Savannah to be the perfect place to experiment with different styles that would resonate in the neighborhoods of the first city of Georgia.
One of the earliest architectural styles prevalent in Savannah is the Federalist or Adam style. Considered the first uniquely American contribution to architecture, this style was characterized by the strong influence of classical architecture from antiquity and its ideological fundaments of balance, symmetry, and simplicity. Federalist architecture can often use brick as its primary material. Other components of this style are simple facades and raised entryways. The Federalist style would also allow itself specific artistic licenses through the use of detailed and refined ornamentation. The Federalist style, which dominated the American architectural landscape of the late 18th century, is well established in the city. Examples can be seen at the Isaiah Davenport House, the Lachlan-McIntosh house, and the Oliver Sturge House in Savannah's Historic District.
Another noteworthy architectural style in Savannah is that of Georgian architecture. This style derives its name from the monarchs who reigned Great Britain in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is symbolic of the technique used in Britain of the same period and shares many of the same design principles as the Federalist style, such as a focus on proportion and balance, but leaves out the adornments of garlands or any further ornamentation. In the Georgian style, quoins are often seen on the exterior angles of buildings. A great example of Georgian architecture is The Olde Pink House Restaurant, located northwest of Reynolds Square.
The Greek Revival architecture that overtook the popularity of other styles in America in the 19th century can also be found in Savannah. This architectural style became quite prominent in the United States. For Americans, the Greek temple symbolized a newfound admiration towards ancient Greece, its democratic philosophies, and its separation from ecclesiastical or aristocratic authority. Throughout America and in Savannah, adopting Greek Revival architecture meant using the Greek architectural orders, the archetypal columns used in Greek temples. The Historic District is where you can find some of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture. Here you can find the First Baptist Church, which presents an ancient Greek facade.
Of the architectural styles mentioned, we should also mention an architect who was a prominent designer for the city of Savannah. William Jay, a British architect, designed the Telfair Academy and the Owen-Thomas House and Slave Quarters, which are now historical landmarks for the city, also served as the first public art museum in the Southern United States. Born in England, Jay trained at the Royal Academy and traveled to the US after an apprenticeship. Arriving in Savannah in 1817, William Jay would significantly influence the city, designing around ten consequential buildings that influenced and promoted Jay's techniques and style. Although William Jay only spent five years in America, his style would affect Savannah's aesthetic.
Still yet, the city of Savannah offers more than the architectural styles mentioned. Some of Savannah's grand residential properties were created in magnificent architectural styles not mentioned. Homes, like the Mercer Williams House, were made in the Italianate style, which took inspiration from the farmhouses of the Italian countryside. Some implemented the Regency style, which is a developed, late-phase of Georgian architecture. An example is the Telfair Museum of Art, designed by William Jay. Other types include Gothic-Revival Architecture and the Romanesque Revival style, which used the arch and dome construction, or the Second French Empire style, which alluded to the French Renaissance architecture.
Ultimately,
Savannah offers a wealth of examples of architecture, from the early days of a burgeoning America to the adaptive reuse of historic landmarks. With an exceptional collection of architectural styles, a fascinating street layout, a rich and thriving history, and natural foliage that provide shaded pathways through the city like an urban forest, Savannah is the romantic and picturesque backdrop of America's southern soul.
