Savannah Georgia Historic Map - 1888 Bird's-Eye View of the City

Discover the Savannah Georgia Map That Captures Southern Elegance

Travel back to 1888, when the Savannah Georgia Map revealed one of the South's most beautiful and industrious cities—a place where history met ambition on the banks of the Savannah River. This detailed panoramic lithograph, drawn and published by Henry Wellge & Co., captures the city at a pivotal moment when its graceful grid of shaded squares met the machinery of modern progress.

Historical Significance of This Savannah Georgia Map

From above, the city reveals its famous plan: a network of tree-lined streets and orderly wards, each anchored by a public square. This design, envisioned by General James Oglethorpe in 1733, still defined Savannah's rhythm more than a century later. Within this structure, red-brick warehouses, steepled churches, and elegant homes rise in perfect harmony—a testament to the city's balance between order and charm. The waterfront dominates the lower edge of the map, bustling with tall-masted ships, paddle steamers, and cargo barges. Here, cotton was king. Bales from inland plantations traveled by rail and river to be pressed, weighed, and loaded onto ships bound for Liverpool and New York. Every warehouse and wharf drawn on this map tells the story of commerce—the heartbeat of Savannah's economy and the source of its cosmopolitan character.

Urban Development and Railroad Connections

To the east and west, the industrial face of the city comes into view: railyards, lumber mills, and foundries, all connected by looping tracks that stretch toward the horizon. These rail lines linked Savannah to the interior, making it not just a port but a hub—an artery through which the New South pumped its renewed energy after Reconstruction. Yet even amid this movement and expansion, Savannah held onto its elegance. The map's delicate shading shows wide boulevards lined with trees and homes surrounded by gardens. Civic landmarks like the courthouse, Custom House, and public market rise from the grid, symbols of stability and refinement in a city that had endured war and renewal alike.

A Timeless Vision of Southern Grace

Viewed today, this 1888 panorama feels alive with continuity. The same squares remain shaded by live oaks, the river still hums with work, and the air of Savannah—part old-world grace, part southern ambition—endures. The map invites you to trace its streets and imagine the hum of wagons, the call of the riverboats, and the rhythm of a city that has never stopped balancing beauty with enterprise. Each reproduction includes a custom historical letter detailing the story behind the map, making it perfect for collectors, historians, and Southern heritage enthusiasts. Printed on heavyweight archival paper or hand-stretched polycotton canvas, every square, street, and waterfront detail is restored in museum-grade clarity for generations of enjoyment. Paper prints ship rolled in heavy-duty tubes, while canvas editions arrive gallery-wrapped on solid pine stretcher bars with pre-installed hardware—ready to display the moment it arrives. Bring home a piece of Savannah's timeless legacy and celebrate the vision that made this city the jewel of the Georgia coast.

Savannah 1888: The Story Behind the Map
Bird’s-Eye View of Savannah, Georgia
In 1888, Savannah stood as one of the South’s most beautiful and industrious cities—a place where history met ambition on the banks of the Savannah River. This detailed panoramic lithograph, drawn and published by Henry Wellge & Co., captures the city at a pivotal moment when its graceful grid of shaded squares met the machinery of modern progress.
From above, the city reveals its famous plan: a network of tree-lined streets and orderly wards, each anchored by a public square. This design, envisioned by General James Oglethorpe in 1733, still defined Savannah’s rhythm more than a century later. Within this structure, red-brick warehouses, steepled churches, and elegant homes rise in perfect harmony—a testament to the city’s balance between order and charm.
The waterfront dominates the lower edge of the map, bustling with tall-masted ships, paddle steamers, and cargo barges. Here, cotton was king. Bales from inland plantations traveled by rail and river to be pressed, weighed, and loaded onto ships bound for Liverpool and New York. Every warehouse and wharf drawn on this map tells the story of commerce—the heartbeat of Savannah’s economy and the source of its cosmopolitan character.
To the east and west, the industrial face of the city comes into view: railyards, lumber mills, and foundries, all connected by looping tracks that stretch toward the horizon. These rail lines linked Savannah to the interior, making it not just a port but a hub—an artery through which the New South pumped its renewed energy after Reconstruction.
Yet even amid this movement and expansion, Savannah held onto its elegance. The map’s delicate shading shows wide boulevards lined with trees and homes surrounded by gardens. Civic landmarks like the courthouse, Custom House, and public market rise from the grid, symbols of stability and refinement in a city that had endured war and renewal alike.
Viewed today, this 1888 panorama feels alive with continuity. The same squares remain shaded by live oaks, the river still hums with work, and the air of Savannah—part old-world grace, part southern ambition—endures. The map invites you to trace its streets and imagine the hum of wagons, the call of the riverboats, and the rhythm of a city that has never stopped balancing beauty with enterprise.

Archival-Grade Paper: Your map is printed on thick, acid‑free paper designed to resist yellowing and fading. The high‑resolution printing process captures every detail, ensuring a crisp, vibrant image that lasts for generations. Hand‑Stretched Canvas: If you choose canvas, we use a premium cotton‑poly blend stretched over solid pine frames. Each canvas is carefully hand‑stretched for a tight, gallery‑quality finish that's ready to hang right out of the box. Vivid, Fade‑Resistant Inks: We use professional‑grade inks that are UV‑resistant, so your print retains its rich colors even when displayed in bright rooms. Expert Restoration: Every map is digitally restored by skilled artisans. We preserve the character of the original while enhancing clarity, so you see the map as it was meant to be seen. Secure Packaging: Paper prints are rolled in heavy‑duty mailing tubes, and canvases are cushioned in reinforced boxes to ensure they arrive in pristine condition. Choosing one of our prints means investing in craftsmanship. We combine historical authenticity with modern print technology and premium materials, giving you a work of art built to stand the test of time.