Broughton Street Savannah, GA Historically, Broughton Street has served as the Main Street for Savannah. It has also served as the local and regional hub for economic, social and cultural activities. Following World War II, and the subsequent national trend of suburbanization, Broughton Street began to decline in ways typical of urban centers across the country. With contemporary historic
preservation tactics, this decline can be reversed to encourage the revitalization of Broughton Street. As the hub of economic vibrancy for the region, the Greater Downtown Savannah area maintains its historic and culturally diverse identity while preserving the original Oglethorpe Plan, while embracing future growth and providing an unparalleled quality of life.
1778-82
1733
British controlled Savannah during the American Revolutionary War.
Savannah was Founded. Broughton Street was named after Thomas Broughton, the Governor of South Carolina, and was a residential street that also functioned as the commercial hub of the city.
1800s
Savannah was known as King Cotton. Broughton St. was labeled as “....Georgia’s first shopping district” and “....the Hollywood of the South.” During this time period a perfect harmony of residential and commercial seemed to have existed.
historical timeline 1864
Sherman presents Lincoln with Savannah as a Christmas present.
1850 1851
Marshall House,the first hotel in Savannah, opens on Broughton Street.
1930
Corporate chains began to establish locations on Broughton Street. Sears opened in 1930 at 217 W Broughton St.
1900s
At the turn of the century Broughton St. was still primarily a residential street. Notions of progress caused a group of business men and civic leaders to attempt very damaging modernization projects. On Broughton St. older buildings were typically demolished and replaced by new boxlike structures. This also led to the street becoming more commercial in its land use.
1864-65
Marshall House was occupied by union troops. It was used as union hospital for wounded soldiers until the end of the war.
1963
1993
“SECOND SIEGE OF SAVANNAH” The desegregation of Savannah occurred. Broughton St. was influential for hosting a number of sit-ins and boycotts.
The City of Savannah started the Facade Improvement Loan program.
2008
Broughton Street Urban Redevelopment plan has been recently revised this year. It also was revised in 2001 and 2005. Implementation first began in 2001.
1946
Weis Theatre on Broughton St. opened. At the time it was one of the largest screens in the south and was first with air conditioning.
1868
The Streetcar was introduced to Broughton Street and the rest of the city.
1910
Sears closed its Broughton St. location and constructed a new retail store elsewhere.
The personal automobile, the Model T, was introduced and forever changed the global streetscape.
Fire spreads through the city.
1920’s
The boll weevil destroyed cotton production and the Great Depression forced Savannah into decline.
18 Century
19 Century
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20 Century
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1856
1796
City expansion.
Fire spread through city.
1889
Oct 31st - fire occurred and is considered one of the worst in Savannah history. The fire started in Daniel Hogan’s Dry Goods Store, located on the corner of Broughton and Barnard Streets. The fire spread down State Street toward the Telfair Academy. The academy and other structures to the south and west were ultimately spared.
1925
Levy’s opened at the corner of Abercorn and Broughton Streets. This was the largest store of it s kind between Baltimore and New Orleans.
1950s
Historic Savannah Foundation founded. “In Savannah, historic preservation goes hand in hand with economic progress.”
Savannah listed as National Historic Landmark District.
1979
1990
SCAD was founded.
1986
Georgia Historical Society was founded proving that this is when preservation thinking came about. Levy’s expanded to a super block structure due to the introduction of new building materials and methods.
Fire and yellow fever spread throughout the city.
1862
Before and during the Civil War, the Union Army places a blockade on the river.
late 1800’s
Broughton St. began to become dotted with hotels, merchants, boarding houses and warehouses. The upper floors of these structures were used as homes, offices and other personal service businesses.
th
2007
1996
The mall located in south side was created, drawing people away from Broughton St.
1839 1820
21 Century
th
The City Council passed the BROUGHTON STREET URBAN RENEWAL PLAN, a document that opened the doors to federal funding and a renewed focus on downtown’s commercial center.
2000’s
Broughton St. began to increase in its economic activity. Revitalization of this street became the focus of the city government. They promoted the street to progress away from its historical functionality of primarily residential to a commercial and mixed use Main Street.
Land use zoning and the number of businesses on Broughton St. began to diversify and increase while the residential percentages decline.