"Our Service comes from Our History"
History of Savannah Station
Savannah's recorded history begins in 1733. That's the year General James Oglethorpe and the 120 passengers of the good ship "Anne" landed on a bluff high along the Savannah River in February. Oglethorpe named the 13th and final American colony "Georgia" after England's King George II. Savannah became its first city.
Gifted to President
Savannah was symbolically gifted to President Abraham Lincoln by Union General William T. Sherman during the American Civil War. On December 22, 1864, Sherman sent a telegram to Lincoln, offering the city of Savannah as a Christmas gift. This gesture occurred after Sherman's successful capture of the city during his March to the Sea campaign. Sherman's message read in part, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah with 150 heavy guns and plenty of ammunition and also about 25,000 bales of cotton". This act was more symbolic than a literal transfer of ownership, as it represented a strategic military victory and a significant step toward ending the war.
Architect Symbol
Savannah Union Station was designed by architect Frank Pierce Milburn in a blend of Spanish Renaissance and Elizabethan styles. The station featured an impressive octagonal rotunda, 80 feet in diameter, serving as the main waiting room. The exterior was constructed with pressed brick, granite, and terra cotta trimmings, including two towers. The station was completed in 1902 at a cost of $150,000.
Export and Import Hub
The station served as a major hub for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, Seaboard Air Line Railroad, and Southern Railway. It was a key point of entry for visitors and commerce, contributing significantly to the local economy. Several notable trains stopped at Union Station, such as the Champion, Everglades, Havana Special, Palmetto, Silver Meteor, and Sunland.
62 years of Legacy
Union Station became the heart of Black Savannah, with its surroundings hosting numerous Black-owned businesses, including theaters, funeral homes, and insurance companies. Despite segregation, with separate waiting rooms for Black and white passengers, the area thrived culturally and economically.
