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Savannah Urban Infrastructure
Savannah Infrastructure Documents Analysis Project
During the spring of 2015, Savannah College of Art & Design graduate and undergraduate students in Dr. Robin Williams' "Research Methods in Architectural History" course utilized the City's Municipal Archives' collections to explore a variety of topics related to urban infrastructure. Students were tasked with compiling a research guide on their subject which could assist future researchers in locating and understanding the documentary records relating to that part of the city's urban history. At the conclusion of their research, the students presented their findings to City staff in order to provide staff a greater appreciation of the history of the infrastructure they are tasked with maintaining and improving for Savannah citizens and visitors.
The students' research guides (unedited by staff) are provided here for the public to use to gain a general understanding of these infrastructure elements and as a spring board for their own use of the City's archival collections.
Fire Hydrants and Water Mains
Fire Hydrants and Water Mains of Savannah Research Guide (PDF)
Prepared by Elizabeth Barter, M.F.A. Candidate in Architectural History, Savannah College of Art & Design, May 2015
Image Caption:
Fighting fires, circa 1967-1971. City Manager's Office - Photographs, City of Savannah, Research Library & Municipal Archives.
Municipal Wharves
Municipal Wharves: City of Savannah, GA Research Guide (PDF)
Prepared by Elizabeth Clappin, M.F.A. Candidate in Architectural History, Savannah College of Art & Design, May 2015
Image Caption:
Savannah waterfront, no date (circa late 1800s). Research Library & Municipal Archives - Postcard Collection, City of Savannah, Research Library & Municipal Archives.
Rope Walk in the South Common
Hunter's Rope Walk Research Guide (PDF)
Prepared by Stephanie Heher, M.F.A. Candidate in Architectural History, Savannah College of Art & Design, May 2015
Image Caption:
Sketch of what a ropewalk may have looked like in colonial Boston. From "Explore Colonial Boston" (available online).
Wells and Pumps
Pumps and Wells of Savannah Research Guide (PDF)
Prepared by Nelling Allingham, B.F.A. Candidate in Architectural History, Savannah College of Art & Design, May 2015
Image Caption:
Pump in middle of Bull Street, photograph by D. J. Ryan, circa 1870. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, New York Public Library Digital Collections.
19th-Century Landscaping of the Squares
19th-Century Landscape Elements in the Squares Research Guide (PDF)
Prepared by Emily Forlenza, B.F.A. Candidate in Historic Preservation, Savannah College of Art & Design, May 2015
Image Caption:
Fence around Wright Square, no date (circa 1880s-1890s). V. & J. Duncan Postcard Collection, City of Savannah, Research Library & Municipal Archives.
Street Lighting
Street Lamps of Savannah Research Guide (PDF)
Appendix A: (PDF) Selected Images from the New York Public Library Digital Collections
Appendix B: (PDF) Selected Images from the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
Prepared by Kelly Grubb, B.F.A. Candidate in Historic Preservation, Savannah College of Art & Design, May 2015
Image Caption:
Broughton Street lights, circa 1900-1910. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Detroit Publishing Company Collection.
Historic Pavement and Curbing Documentation Project
In addition to documenting select infrastructure elements, each student compiled a thorough survey of the city's historic pavement within a single downtown ward. The surveying of the street pavement, sidewalk pavement and sets of curbs contributed to the on-going Historic Pavement data layer project underway within the Savannah Area Geographic Information System (SAGIS) by the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission. Using the WPA Cadastral Survey Ward Maps, students documented in the field various pavement and curb types through coloring and graphic techniques.
Berrien Ward (PDF), documented by Elizabeth Barter
Calhoun Ward (PDF), documented by Stephanie Heher
Chatham Ward (PDF), documented by Kelly Grubbs
Davis Ward (PDF), documented by Emily Forlenza
Monterey Ward (PDF), documented by Elizabeth Clappin