Rare Historical Photos Of Savannah From Early 20th Century

Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia state, established in 1733 on the Savannah River. Its long and colorful history, cobblestone streets, parks, and historic buildings attract millions of visitors every year. During the Civil War, the city suffered severely from the sea blockades, and the economy crumbled. After the end of the Civil War, the Reconstruction period began in Savannah. At the turn of the 20th-century agriculture and cotton were primary industries that supported the economy. The city became a maritime centre and several new industries were also constructed that include aircraft, shipbuilding, chemicals manufacturing, and the export of resin and lumber.

The boll weevil outbreak of the 1920s destroyed the cotton, and the Great depression further slowed down the growth. In the 1930s and 1940s, several historic buildings and landmarks were also demolished to build high-rise buildings, parking, road widening and to make downtown Savannah competitive with commercial development in the emerging suburbs. During World War II, Savannah manufacturing aided the war effort through the construction of Liberty ships and the economy and growth were back on track.

Take a look at these spectacular rare historic photos of Savannah from the early 20th century that show streets, roads, landmarks and everyday life.

#1 Bull Street at Liberty Street, and City Hall, Savannah, 1906

54 Points

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#2 Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, 1901

30 Points

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#3 The whole black family at the Hermitage, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1907

28 Points

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#4 DeSoto Hotel and Jasper monument, Madison Square, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1910

23 Points

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#5 Broughton Street from Bull, Savannah, 1907

19 Points

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#6 Georgia Central Railway Bridge, Railroad Street, 1939

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#7 Old house on Fahm Street, West Side, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1939

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#8 Davenport tenement, small dwelling, 1939

15 Points

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#9 38 Price Street, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1937

15 Points

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#10 Broughton Street from Bull, Savannah, 1907

14 Points

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#11 Union Station, Savannah, Georgia, 1906

12 Points

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#12 DeSoto Hotel, Savannah, Georgia, 1908

12 Points

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#13 Stoddard’s Lower Range from Factors Walk, River Street, Savannah, 1937

11 Points

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#14 Note cotton-themed fountain landscaping and juvenile welcoming committee, Savannah Cotton Exchange, 1904

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#15 Broughton Street, looking east, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1905

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#16 Vicinity of Savannah, Georgia, 1864

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#17 Stone monuments and brick vaults in Colonial Park, formerly South Broad Street Cemetery, Savannah, 1939

10 Points

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#18 Seaboard Air Line Railway docks, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1910

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#19 Davenport house, Columbus Square, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1937

10 Points

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#20 Stoddard’s Upper Range, Savannah, 1937

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#21 Yamacraw Market, Fahm Street, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1939

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#22 View of Fort McAllister on the Ogeechee River, Savannah, 1864

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#23 Bull Street and Johnson Square, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1906

9 Points

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#24 Colonial Park, Savannah, Georgia, 1907

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#25 Row of houses on East Charlton Street, Savannah, April 1941

8 Points

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#26 National Bank of Savannah, Bull Street, 1907

8 Points

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#27 Savannah, Georgia, circa 1906. “Loading a phosphate schooner.”

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#28 Georgia Central Railway Bridge, Railroad Street, Savannah, 1939

8 Points

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#29 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1901

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#30 38 Price Street, Savannah, 1937

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#31 Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia, 1905

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#32 Hotel DeSoto, Savannah, 1900

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#33 Detroit Publishing glass negative, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1905

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#34 Interior of Fort McAllister, Savannah, 1865

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#35

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#36 Colonial Park Cemetery, Savannah, Georgia, 1904

6 Points

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#37 Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, 1901

6 Points

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#38 The docks at Savannah, 1905

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#39 Naval stores, Chesnutt & O’Neill, Savannah, 1904

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#40 Fahm Street, west side, Savannah, 1939

6 Points

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#41 Fahm Street, west side, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1939

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#42 Chatham County, Georgia, circa 1937

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#43 The reservoir, Savannah, Georgia, 1865

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#44 312 Gaston Street West, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1939

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#45 Down the river, Savannah, Georgia, 1906

4 Points

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#46 Pulaski House, Bull and St. Julian streets, Savannah, Georgia, circa 1906

0 Points

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#47 117 Jones Street West, Savannah, 1939

-4 Points

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