[{"_1":2,"_3":-5,"_4":-5},"loaderData",{"_5":6,"_7":8},"actionData","errors","root",{"_568":569,"_570":571},"routes/tour",{"_9":10,"_11":12,"_13":14,"_15":16,"_17":18},"tenant","georgia-humanities","tour_set",{"_35":330,"_31":-5,"_562":-5,"_563":-5,"_564":73,"_565":-5,"_566":-5,"_567":10},"tour",{"_19":20,"_21":22,"_23":24,"_25":26,"_27":28,"_29":30,"_31":32,"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":-5,"_40":-5,"_41":-5,"_42":-5,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":38,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":26,"_60":26,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":16,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_9":10,"_72":73,"_74":75,"_76":77,"_78":79,"_80":13,"_81":82,"_83":38},"tourParam","new-horizons-immigration-to-historic-savannah","stopParam","the-fruit-sellers","_index","otb_georgia-humanities_tours_production_20260910134321351","_id","14","_score",1,"blank_map",false,"bounds",{"_550":551,"_552":553,"_554":555,"_556":557,"_558":559,"_560":561},"default_lng","en-US","description","New Horizons: Immigration in Historic Savannah is a tour that focuses on several immigrant groups in Savannah from the first two hundred years of the city’s existence. These groups include Greeks, Cubans, Irish, Chinese, South Americans, and Russian and German Jews. ","flat_pages",[],"id",14,"is_geo",true,"link_address","link_text","map_icon","map_overlay","map_type","terrain","media",[],"meta_description","New Horizons: Immigration in Historic Savannah is a tour that focuses on several immigrant groups in Savannah from the first two hundred years of the city’s existence. These groups include Greeks, Cubans, Irish, Chinese, South Americans, and Russian and German Jews.","mode",{"_35":249,"_74":547},"modes",[544,545],"open_geographies_endpoint","published","published_on","2026-09-10","read_duration","12 minutes reading","restrict_bounds","restrict_bounds_to_overlay","sanitized_description","New Horizons: Immigration in Historic Savannah is a tour that focuses on several immigrant groups in Savannah from the first two hundred years of the city’s existence. These groups include Greeks, Cubans, Irish, Chinese, South Americans, and Russian and German Jews. ","splash",{"_74":526,"_161":527,"_163":528},"slug","slugs",[16],"stop_count",13,"stops",[85,86,87,88,89,90,91,92,93,94,95,96,97],"tenant_title","Georgia Humanities","title","New Horizons: Immigration to Historic Savannah","travel_duration","17 minutes walking","theme",{"_35":69,"_74":84},"type","voice_overs",[],"use_directions","gatech",{"_98":516,"_99":24,"_100":-5,"_102":433,"_104":517,"_106":-5,"_31":518,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":513,"_113":519,"_115":520,"_41":-5,"_45":521,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":522,"_65":514,"_66":523,"_63":524,"_74":515,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":525},{"_98":502,"_99":203,"_100":503,"_102":504,"_104":505,"_106":-5,"_31":506,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":499,"_113":507,"_115":508,"_41":-5,"_45":509,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":510,"_65":500,"_66":511,"_63":-5,"_74":501,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":512},{"_98":476,"_99":171,"_100":477,"_102":394,"_104":478,"_106":-5,"_31":479,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":136,"_113":480,"_115":481,"_41":-5,"_45":482,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":483,"_65":474,"_66":484,"_63":485,"_74":475,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":486},{"_98":436,"_99":249,"_100":437,"_102":438,"_104":439,"_106":-5,"_31":440,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":433,"_113":441,"_115":442,"_41":-5,"_45":443,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":444,"_65":434,"_66":445,"_63":446,"_74":435,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":447},{"_98":422,"_99":423,"_100":424,"_102":112,"_104":425,"_106":-5,"_31":426,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":231,"_113":427,"_115":428,"_41":-5,"_45":429,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":430,"_65":18,"_66":431,"_63":-5,"_74":421,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":432},{"_98":397,"_99":398,"_100":399,"_102":225,"_104":400,"_106":-5,"_31":401,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":394,"_113":402,"_115":403,"_41":-5,"_45":404,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":405,"_65":395,"_66":406,"_63":407,"_74":396,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":408},{"_98":329,"_99":330,"_100":331,"_102":311,"_104":332,"_106":-5,"_31":333,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":326,"_113":334,"_115":335,"_41":-5,"_45":336,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":337,"_65":327,"_66":338,"_63":339,"_74":328,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":340},{"_98":314,"_99":315,"_100":316,"_102":296,"_104":317,"_106":-5,"_31":318,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":311,"_113":319,"_115":320,"_41":-5,"_45":321,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":322,"_65":312,"_66":323,"_63":-5,"_74":313,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":324},{"_98":299,"_99":300,"_100":301,"_102":145,"_104":302,"_106":-5,"_31":303,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":296,"_113":304,"_115":305,"_41":-5,"_45":306,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":307,"_65":297,"_66":308,"_63":-5,"_74":298,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":309},{"_98":228,"_99":229,"_100":230,"_102":231,"_104":232,"_106":-5,"_31":233,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":225,"_113":234,"_115":235,"_41":-5,"_45":236,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":237,"_65":226,"_66":238,"_63":239,"_74":227,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":240},{"_98":148,"_99":149,"_100":150,"_102":131,"_104":151,"_106":-5,"_31":152,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":145,"_113":153,"_115":154,"_41":-5,"_45":155,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":156,"_65":146,"_66":157,"_63":158,"_74":147,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":159},{"_98":134,"_99":69,"_100":135,"_102":136,"_104":137,"_106":-5,"_31":138,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":131,"_113":139,"_115":140,"_41":-5,"_45":141,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":142,"_65":132,"_66":143,"_63":-5,"_74":133,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":144},{"_98":-5,"_99":69,"_100":101,"_102":103,"_104":105,"_106":-5,"_31":107,"_108":-5,"_109":-5,"_110":111,"_35":112,"_113":114,"_115":116,"_41":-5,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_119":26,"_120":-5,"_121":-5,"_54":38,"_61":122,"_65":123,"_66":124,"_63":-5,"_74":125,"_80":126,"_127":-5,"_128":-5,"_81":129},"next","position","previous",{"_35":131,"_65":132,"_74":133},"relation_id",193,"address","26 Barnard St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","article_link","

Even immigrants that came to Savannah with little money and little to no understanding of the language and culture could end up becoming well off. This is in part due to the differences between the United States and Europe. In many European nations, one of the only ways to attain wealth was through land ownership. The issue was that land was scarce and was held by landowners and aristocrats. This lowered the likelihood of financial and social mobility. However, in the United States this was not the case. Men like Eli Veruki rose from being poor fruit seller to a restaurant owner who set up his own store near here, down Barnard Street. However, many immigrants, especially the Greeks, enjoyed a high enough income to establish their own businesses.

","direction_intro","direction_notes","icon_color","#D32F2F",186,"lat",32.080623,"lng",-81.094157,[],"","orphaned","parking_lat","parking_lng","Even immigrants that came to Savannah with little money and little to no understanding of the language and culture could end up becoming well off. This is in part due to the differences between the United States and Europe. In many European nations, one of the only ways to attain wealth was through land ownership. The issue was that land was scarce and was held by landowners and aristocrats. This lowered the likelihood of financial and social mobility. However, in the United States this was not the case. Men like Eli Veruki rose from being poor fruit seller to a restaurant owner who set up his own store near here, down Barnard Street. However, many immigrants, especially the Greeks, enjoyed a high enough income to establish their own businesses.","success-in-savannah",[130,123],"Success in Savannah","stop","video_embed","video_poster",[],"untitled",181,"conclusion","Conclusion ",{"_35":112,"_65":123,"_74":125},{"_35":145,"_65":146,"_74":147},182,"210 E Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","Savannah has attracted many different people from all corners of the world, from the busy cities of China (Canton) and the plantations of South America (Georgetown) to the villages of Europe (Minsk and Bavaria). Savannah still maintains its distinct Southern culture, but you can still see the influences that these other cultures have had on it and how they have shaped it. ",32.080935,-81.090668,[],"Savannah has attracted many different people from all corners of the world, from the busy cities of China (Canton) and the plantations of South America (Georgetown) to the villages of Europe (Minsk and Bavaria). Savannah still maintains its distinct Southern culture, but you can still see the influences that these other cultures have had on it and how they have shaped it. ",[130,132],[],180,"from-atlantic-to-pacific","From Atlantic To Pacific",{"_35":131,"_65":132,"_74":133},12,{"_35":225,"_65":226,"_74":227},"1 E Bay St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","

Chinese in Savannah

What makes the Chinese unique in Savannah is that the vast majority of those who came to the United States, stayed on the West Coast. And Chinese laborers were banned from the United States in 1882 with the Chinese Exclusion Act, which was renewed ten years later, and then made permanent in 1902 and was in effect until 1943.

Many of Savannah’s Chinese immigrants arrived during this time, when there was an immigration ban. This is possibly because the ban was specifically on laborers. Some Chinese immigrants may have been labeled under a different occupational label and were able to get in.

Fat Shung of Canton

One such person was a man named Fat Shung of Canton (Guangzhou), China. He came over in 1895 when he was not yet eighteen, likely as a merchant. Within a few years he set up his own art shop where he sold art pieces from China.

This meant that he split his time between Savannah and Canton where he inspected the art and brought it back to sell. His business was so successful that he was able to expand and establish the Fat Shung Company in 1912. He then sent for his wife and children to bring over to live in the city.

Chinese Community

He was not the only one, Savannah was home to a small Chinese community of about 40 individuals in the early 1900s. Although small in comparison to the overall population, they left a mark on the city’s economy. Making up less than two percent of the city’s population, they owned the majority of the city’s laundromats by the 1920s.

\nDespite their small numbers, many Chinese residents were able to retain some form of community and belonging by engaging with the locals in black and white neighborhoods. Some private groups reached out to the community, like the Independent Presbyterian Church who taught English and offered services in Mandarin and Cantonese. Men like Chung Taipan, known as Robert Chan, helped serve as a voice for the community and worked with the church to help local immigrants adapt to living in Savannah. Robert Chan made the needs of the community known to the church who would try to assist them.

",32.080828,-81.091166,[167,168,169],"Chinese in SavannahWhat makes the Chinese unique in Savannah is that the vast majority of those who came to the United States, stayed on the West Coast. And Chinese laborers were banned from the United States in 1882 with the Chinese Exclusion Act, which was renewed ten years later, and then made permanent in 1902 and was in effect until 1943. Many of Savannah’s Chinese immigrants arrived during this time, when there was an immigration ban. This is possibly because the ban was specifically on laborers. Some Chinese immigrants may have been labeled under a different occupational label and were able to get in. Fat Shung of CantonOne such person was a man named Fat Shung of Canton (Guangzhou), China. He came over in 1895 when he was not yet eighteen, likely as a merchant. Within a few years he set up his own art shop where he sold art pieces from China. This meant that he split his time between Savannah and Canton where he inspected the art and brought it back to sell. His business was so successful that he was able to expand and establish the Fat Shung Company in 1912. He then sent for his wife and children to bring over to live in the city. Chinese CommunityHe was not the only one, Savannah was home to a small Chinese community of about 40 individuals in the early 1900s. Although small in comparison to the overall population, they left a mark on the city’s economy. Making up less than two percent of the city’s population, they owned the majority of the city’s laundromats by the 1920s. \nDespite their small numbers, many Chinese residents were able to retain some form of community and belonging by engaging with the locals in black and white neighborhoods. Some private groups reached out to the community, like the Independent Presbyterian Church who taught English and offered services in Mandarin and Cantonese. Men like Chung Taipan, known as Robert Chan, helped serve as a voice for the community and worked with the church to help local immigrants adapt to living in Savannah. Robert Chan made the needs of the community known to the church who would try to assist them. ",[130,165,166,146],{"_74":160,"_161":162,"_163":164},[],"Custom House..PNG","caption","The Savannah Customs House in the late 1800s. \n\nThe Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. \"Custom House.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. 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Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. \"View Down the River, Savannah, Ga.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. 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Herman Myers, Mayor of Savannah

Few names rise above that of Herman Myers. Herman’s family fled Germany after the political fallout of the 1848 Revolution and came to Virginia.

Herman eventually moved to Savannah in 1867 to start a cigar and tobacco company called H. Myers & Bros. with his two brothers, Sigo and Fred, which was located where the Terra Cotta store is now.

By the time the Myers had set up their business, the Cubans had been slowly losing their hold on the tobacco market in the city. The Myers brothers were so successful that they bought a wool factory, a grocery store, and several other cigar rolling companies in Tampa and Havana.

These ventures proved so successful that Herman started the National Bank of Savannah. Myers then went on to buy the famous De Soto Hotel [Figure #], south of here. He even went on to serve as mayor during the 1890s and early 1900s.

He became an extremely popular mayor and he oversaw one of the city's largest public improvements. During his time in office there were massive improvements like street paving, installment of electric lighting, and deepening the harbor. His crowning achievement? City Hall.

\n\nUnder Mayor Myers, the current City Hall was constructed and finished in 1905 and now hangs as one of Savannah’s most memorable and beautiful ornaments. It was considered a great improvement from the previous one. One of the reasons such an ambitious project could be completed was the increase of government funds due to an increase in trade and business in the city. This trade came in not just from other parts of the United States but also from places on the other side of the world, like China.

",32.080099,-81.091406,[244,245,246,247],"Herman Myers, Mayor of SavannahFew names rise above that of Herman Myers. Herman’s family fled Germany after the political fallout of the 1848 Revolution and came to Virginia. Herman eventually moved to Savannah in 1867 to start a cigar and tobacco company called H. Myers & Bros. with his two brothers, Sigo and Fred, which was located where the Terra Cotta store is now. By the time the Myers had set up their business, the Cubans had been slowly losing their hold on the tobacco market in the city. The Myers brothers were so successful that they bought a wool factory, a grocery store, and several other cigar rolling companies in Tampa and Havana. These ventures proved so successful that Herman started the National Bank of Savannah. Myers then went on to buy the famous De Soto Hotel [Figure #], south of here. He even went on to serve as mayor during the 1890s and early 1900s. He became an extremely popular mayor and he oversaw one of the city's largest public improvements. During his time in office there were massive improvements like street paving, installment of electric lighting, and deepening the harbor. His crowning achievement? City Hall. \n\nUnder Mayor Myers, the current City Hall was constructed and finished in 1905 and now hangs as one of Savannah’s most memorable and beautiful ornaments. It was considered a great improvement from the previous one. One of the reasons such an ambitious project could be completed was the increase of government funds due to an increase in trade and business in the city. This trade came in not just from other parts of the United States but also from places on the other side of the world, like China.",[130,226],{"_74":241,"_161":242,"_163":243},[],"Greene Monument..PNG","The Greene Monument on Johnson Square.\n\nThe Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. \"Greene Monument.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 13, 2020. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-585e-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/nvmc7ybs0o35u2ckpn6fprbs1kx5?variant=desktop",{"_102":288,"_99":24,"_161":242,"_173":174,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":289,"_179":290,"_35":291,"_182":-5,"_183":184,"_185":289,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_74":241,"_191":-5},{"_102":277,"_99":203,"_161":278,"_173":174,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":279,"_179":280,"_35":281,"_182":-5,"_183":184,"_185":279,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_74":282,"_191":-5},{"_102":263,"_99":171,"_161":264,"_173":265,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":266,"_179":267,"_35":268,"_182":-5,"_183":269,"_185":266,"_186":187,"_188":270,"_74":271,"_191":-5},{"_102":248,"_99":249,"_161":250,"_173":251,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":252,"_179":253,"_35":254,"_182":-5,"_183":255,"_185":252,"_186":187,"_188":256,"_74":257,"_191":-5},562,4,"James T. White. National Cyclopaedia of American Biography. 13. Vol. 13. New York, NY: James T. White & Company, 1906. ",1009,"16027881404.png",{"_192":258,"_194":259,"_196":260,"_198":261,"_200":262},640,202,504,"Herman Myers.PNG","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/kobbq788818enuxz67fj3942vw2c","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/kobbq788818enuxz67fj3942vw2c?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/kobbq788818enuxz67fj3942vw2c?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/kobbq788818enuxz67fj3942vw2c?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/kobbq788818enuxz67fj3942vw2c?variant=lqip",560,"The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. \"City Hall, Savannah, Ga.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 14, 2020. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47d9-a21b-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99",990,"16027003044.png",{"_192":272,"_194":273,"_196":274,"_198":275,"_200":276},638,198,495,"City Hall, Savannah, Ga..PNG","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/vuz7ip4vz509p6r0duaqh72qagff","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/vuz7ip4vz509p6r0duaqh72qagff?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/vuz7ip4vz509p6r0duaqh72qagff?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/vuz7ip4vz509p6r0duaqh72qagff?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/vuz7ip4vz509p6r0duaqh72qagff?variant=lqip",553,"The Greene Monument in Johnson Square. \n\nThe Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. \"Greene Monument and Screven House.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 13, 2020. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-5858-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99","16026258852.png",{"_192":283,"_194":284,"_196":285,"_198":286,"_200":287},631,"Greene Monument and Screven House..PNG","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/zm7ozxn9ow1t8y6qa3bzh1cmekgr","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/zm7ozxn9ow1t8y6qa3bzh1cmekgr?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/zm7ozxn9ow1t8y6qa3bzh1cmekgr?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/zm7ozxn9ow1t8y6qa3bzh1cmekgr?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/zm7ozxn9ow1t8y6qa3bzh1cmekgr?variant=lqip",552,"16026257989.png",{"_192":292,"_194":293,"_196":294,"_198":243,"_200":295},630,"https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/nvmc7ybs0o35u2ckpn6fprbs1kx5","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/nvmc7ybs0o35u2ckpn6fprbs1kx5?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/nvmc7ybs0o35u2ckpn6fprbs1kx5?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/nvmc7ybs0o35u2ckpn6fprbs1kx5?variant=lqip",179,"the-great-eastern-european-exile","The Great Eastern European Exile ",{"_35":225,"_65":226,"_74":227},10,{"_35":311,"_65":312,"_74":313},"Johnson Square, 2 E Bryan St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","

Jews in Savannah

While the Irish were the largest immigrant community in Savannah there's another group that had a large, notable presence in the city, Savannah’s Jewish residents.

Many European Jews who came to Savannah in the late 1800s and early 1900s were originally from places like Russia and Germany. In places like Germany, immigration to the US was usually due to political or financial fallout like the Panic of 1873.

Jews were blamed for these issues and several anti-Semitic groups formed in the late 1870s. Many fled from Russia because of severe persecution and were even targeted by the government and murdered. This was due to the anti-Semitic beliefs that Jews were agents of foreign nations. In Russia These large-scale slaughters were called Pogroms, thousands of Jews were murdered, and entire towns were destroyed.

Portman and Silverman

Men like Samuel Portman and Harry Silverman fled Russia during the disastrous war between Russia and Japan in 1905.

Most Jews moved to cities in the North but a few of them came south to Savannah. Men like Silverman stated the reason they came to Savannah was that there was already a large Jewish population that would help them settle in the city.

He was correct, Savannah had a large Jewish population and it had the third oldest synagogue in the Americas, the Mickve Israel Temple near Forsyth Park. It is also the only Gothic synagogue in North America.

Many Jews in Savannah worked as grocers, thrift store owners, merchants, bankers, and mechanics like the ones that kept the new street cars that went through the city like this one here in Johnson Square.

",32.080108,-81.091922,[],"Jews in SavannahWhile the Irish were the largest immigrant community in Savannah there's another group that had a large, notable presence in the city, Savannah’s Jewish residents. Many European Jews who came to Savannah in the late 1800s and early 1900s were originally from places like Russia and Germany. In places like Germany, immigration to the US was usually due to political or financial fallout like the Panic of 1873. Jews were blamed for these issues and several anti-Semitic groups formed in the late 1870s. Many fled from Russia because of severe persecution and were even targeted by the government and murdered. This was due to the anti-Semitic beliefs that Jews were agents of foreign nations. In Russia These large-scale slaughters were called Pogroms, thousands of Jews were murdered, and entire towns were destroyed. Portman and SilvermanMen like Samuel Portman and Harry Silverman fled Russia during the disastrous war between Russia and Japan in 1905. Most Jews moved to cities in the North but a few of them came south to Savannah. Men like Silverman stated the reason they came to Savannah was that there was already a large Jewish population that would help them settle in the city. He was correct, Savannah had a large Jewish population and it had the third oldest synagogue in the Americas, the Mickve Israel Temple near Forsyth Park. It is also the only Gothic synagogue in North America. Many Jews in Savannah worked as grocers, thrift store owners, merchants, bankers, and mechanics like the ones that kept the new street cars that went through the city like this one here in Johnson Square. ",[130,310,297],[],"johnson-square",178,"the-potato-blight","The Potato Blight",{"_35":296,"_65":297,"_74":298},9,{"_35":326,"_65":327,"_74":328},"22 Barnard St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","

The Irish in Savannah

No immigrant history of Savannah can skip the Irish.

Most of the Irish came to Savannah during the 1840s and 1850s due to the Great Potato Famine. This was a famine that struck Europe and destroyed most potato crops. This led to a million deaths across Europe and led to a million Irish families leaving their country for the United States.

Many came to the United States for the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Many lived in very poor living conditions in Yamacraw and Frogtown, just west of Franklin Square. Most worked meager labor jobs, however, that changed later on. Many were not well educated but Irish parents stressed education in their own children.

St. Patrick's

They helped establish St. Patrick’s Catholic School to educate their children so they might get a step up and to insure they received Catholic rites. They integrated well in Southern society and tried to prove their loyalty by adopting many of the same views and beliefs that other city residents had. The more financially successful were more generally accepted by the city’s wealthier citizens. While the Irish were recognized as foreign due to their cultural and religious practices, they soon began to influence the culture and demographics of the city due their large presence in Savannah.

",32.080677,-81.093277,[],"The Irish in SavannahNo immigrant history of Savannah can skip the Irish. Most of the Irish came to Savannah during the 1840s and 1850s due to the Great Potato Famine. This was a famine that struck Europe and destroyed most potato crops. This led to a million deaths across Europe and led to a million Irish families leaving their country for the United States. Many came to the United States for the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families. Many lived in very poor living conditions in Yamacraw and Frogtown, just west of Franklin Square. Most worked meager labor jobs, however, that changed later on. Many were not well educated but Irish parents stressed education in their own children. St. Patrick's They helped establish St. Patrick’s Catholic School to educate their children so they might get a step up and to insure they received Catholic rites. They integrated well in Southern society and tried to prove their loyalty by adopting many of the same views and beliefs that other city residents had. The more financially successful were more generally accepted by the city’s wealthier citizens. While the Irish were recognized as foreign due to their cultural and religious practices, they soon began to influence the culture and demographics of the city due their large presence in Savannah.",[130,325,312],[],"west-bryan",177,"the-cuban-connection","The Cuban Connection",{"_35":311,"_65":312,"_74":313},8,{"_35":394,"_65":395,"_74":396},"200 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","

Savannah Cigars

The most notable businesses around Johnson Square in the 1870s and 1880s were not restaurants, but tobacco stores. One of the most popular ones was set up in this square, where the store Terra Cotta is now. This was not simply any traditional Virginia tobacco, but Cuban cigars. Many of which were brought to Savannah by Cubans who eventually moved to the city. The Cubans were not new to Savannah, they have been here since the early 1800s because of Savannah’s proximity to the Caribbean and trade there. It is after the Spanish-American War in 1898 that increased immigration from Cuba after it became independent.

Elite Buyers

Cuban immigrant, Lucien Rodan helped establish these stores and sold their goods, usually to upper class clients who could afford it. It is true that Cuban goods during the lates 1800s were not as expensive as they are today. However, cigars were usually a sign of upper-class society while cigarillos and pipe tobacco were a sign of the lower and middle classes.

Many of these tobacco shops were established sometime between the 1870s and the 1890s when tariffs in the US on foreign goods were at their highest. This meant that these goods were more expensive than during the Antebellum (early 1800s) and Progressive Eras (early 1900s). The records do not state whether the Savannah store rolled cigars or only imported them. However, similar stores in Tampa and Havana featured rolling.

The Tobacco Market

The tobacco market proved to be one of the most diverse workplaces in Savannah, where workers came from France, Italy, Hungary, and Cuba and who worked alongside African Americans.

Henry Gonzales, Boom and Bust

Along with bringing tobacco, Cubans like Henry Gonzales also brought their second most important good here, sugar. This proved successful enough that they opened a refinery here. Men like Gonzales profited from American’s increase in the consumption of sugar which had been growing since the 1830s. However, Gonzales had to find a new career path after the Hawaiian Reciprocity Treaty made sugar from Hawaii cheaper and more accessible. By 1880, Gonzales lost both ventures when his tobacco store went under due to his illegal business practices by violating Internal Revenue laws. Gonzales had used deficient stamps on his cigar boxes, which he had taken from another tobacco store. He was arrested and had to have a hearing in front of the US Commissioner. It is unknown what happened to him after this but it is likely that he was fined or placed in prison.

",32.0806,-81.0939,[345,346,347,348],"Savannah Cigars The most notable businesses around Johnson Square in the 1870s and 1880s were not restaurants, but tobacco stores. One of the most popular ones was set up in this square, where the store Terra Cotta is now. This was not simply any traditional Virginia tobacco, but Cuban cigars. Many of which were brought to Savannah by Cubans who eventually moved to the city. The Cubans were not new to Savannah, they have been here since the early 1800s because of Savannah’s proximity to the Caribbean and trade there. It is after the Spanish-American War in 1898 that increased immigration from Cuba after it became independent. Elite BuyersCuban immigrant, Lucien Rodan helped establish these stores and sold their goods, usually to upper class clients who could afford it. It is true that Cuban goods during the lates 1800s were not as expensive as they are today. However, cigars were usually a sign of upper-class society while cigarillos and pipe tobacco were a sign of the lower and middle classes. Many of these tobacco shops were established sometime between the 1870s and the 1890s when tariffs in the US on foreign goods were at their highest. This meant that these goods were more expensive than during the Antebellum (early 1800s) and Progressive Eras (early 1900s). The records do not state whether the Savannah store rolled cigars or only imported them. However, similar stores in Tampa and Havana featured rolling. The Tobacco MarketThe tobacco market proved to be one of the most diverse workplaces in Savannah, where workers came from France, Italy, Hungary, and Cuba and who worked alongside African Americans. Henry Gonzales, Boom and BustAlong with bringing tobacco, Cubans like Henry Gonzales also brought their second most important good here, sugar. This proved successful enough that they opened a refinery here. Men like Gonzales profited from American’s increase in the consumption of sugar which had been growing since the 1830s. However, Gonzales had to find a new career path after the Hawaiian Reciprocity Treaty made sugar from Hawaii cheaper and more accessible. By 1880, Gonzales lost both ventures when his tobacco store went under due to his illegal business practices by violating Internal Revenue laws. Gonzales had used deficient stamps on his cigar boxes, which he had taken from another tobacco store. He was arrested and had to have a hearing in front of the US Commissioner. It is unknown what happened to him after this but it is likely that he was fined or placed in prison. ",[130,344,327],{"_74":341,"_161":342,"_163":343},[],"Henry Gonzales Newspaper.PNG","Savannah Morning News, November 11, 1879. ","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/0ch5b6yigfp8sgocjccmv5rj4ma8?variant=desktop","ellis-square",{"_102":384,"_99":24,"_161":342,"_173":385,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":386,"_179":387,"_35":388,"_182":-5,"_183":231,"_185":386,"_186":187,"_188":389,"_74":341,"_191":-5},{"_102":374,"_99":203,"_161":375,"_173":174,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":376,"_179":377,"_35":367,"_182":-5,"_183":184,"_185":376,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_74":378,"_191":-5},{"_102":360,"_99":171,"_161":361,"_173":362,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":363,"_179":364,"_35":365,"_182":-5,"_183":366,"_185":363,"_186":187,"_188":367,"_74":368,"_191":-5},{"_102":349,"_99":249,"_161":350,"_173":174,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":351,"_179":352,"_35":353,"_182":-5,"_183":184,"_185":351,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_74":354,"_191":-5},559,"The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. \"Broughton street, Looking West, Savannah, GA.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 14, 2020. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47da-6275-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99","16026997230.png",{"_192":355,"_194":356,"_196":357,"_198":358,"_200":359},637,"Broughton street, Looking West, Savannah, GA..PNG","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/396l5mblpb95lu83jhr91nyd9tvz","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/396l5mblpb95lu83jhr91nyd9tvz?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/396l5mblpb95lu83jhr91nyd9tvz?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/396l5mblpb95lu83jhr91nyd9tvz?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/396l5mblpb95lu83jhr91nyd9tvz?variant=lqip",551,"Frances B. Johnston, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. \"River Street Warehouses, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia,\" Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South. Accessed October 05, 2020. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017886577/",1248,"16026241848.png",{"_192":369,"_194":370,"_196":371,"_198":372,"_200":373},629,250,624,"River Street Warehouses, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia.PNG","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/wg9w9ydmpfoze74k21vgqs12e6sq","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/wg9w9ydmpfoze74k21vgqs12e6sq?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/wg9w9ydmpfoze74k21vgqs12e6sq?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/wg9w9ydmpfoze74k21vgqs12e6sq?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/wg9w9ydmpfoze74k21vgqs12e6sq?variant=lqip",546,"Frances B. Johnston, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. \"Stoddard's Upper Range, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia,\" Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South. Accessed October 05, 2020. https://www.loc.gov/resource/csas.00865/","16019155458.png",{"_192":379,"_194":380,"_196":381,"_198":382,"_200":383},"Stoddard's Upper Range, Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia.PNG","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/rjn49ptjh5zt0gk5o2nrce5zxs6d","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/rjn49ptjh5zt0gk5o2nrce5zxs6d?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/rjn49ptjh5zt0gk5o2nrce5zxs6d?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/rjn49ptjh5zt0gk5o2nrce5zxs6d?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/rjn49ptjh5zt0gk5o2nrce5zxs6d?variant=lqip",544,927,"16016602928.png",{"_192":390,"_194":391,"_196":392,"_198":343,"_200":393},622,464,"https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/0ch5b6yigfp8sgocjccmv5rj4ma8","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/0ch5b6yigfp8sgocjccmv5rj4ma8?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/0ch5b6yigfp8sgocjccmv5rj4ma8?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/0ch5b6yigfp8sgocjccmv5rj4ma8?variant=lqip",183,"from-greece-with-love","From Greece with Love",{"_35":326,"_65":327,"_74":328},6,{"_35":231,"_65":18,"_74":421},"219 W St Julian St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","

Why Greeks Came to Savannah

Why would someone come from the other side of the world to a place they have never seen and do not know the language or the culture, and with very little in their pocket?

For the Greeks it was opportunity. Greece was a small agricultural country with an increasing population, so land was very scarce during the mid to late 1800s. Greece was becoming increasingly democratic and was expanding its territory, but many Greeks still remained poor. This was due to the lack of infrastructure and industrialization. Compounding the issue was the fact that Greece was heavily indebted to Britain, heavily taxed, and on the brink of bankruptcy.

Chain Migration: The Key to Success

Many young Greek men came to America because of this in order to make money to send back to their parents to buy more land for the family. Others sent back money for their sister’s dowry. Once Greeks came here, however, very few of them ever returned home. Instead, many helped bring over other Greeks.

This is because Greeks in the South were more financially successful than Greeks in any other part of the country, as almost every Greek household in Savannah in 1910 owned their own business. Greeks owned 54 out of the 111 fruit stores and 17 out of the total 37 restaurants in Savannah.

This was due to the desire that many had to own their own business, as many Greeks despised working for wages. The desire to own one's own business was born out of a strong sense of self determination and self-ownership. Like Eli Veruki, many went from selling fruit and polishing shoes to opening their own cafes and restaurants. One very famous example is Leopold’s Ice Cream on Broughton Street.

",32.080737,-81.094578,[412],"Why Greeks Came to SavannahWhy would someone come from the other side of the world to a place they have never seen and do not know the language or the culture, and with very little in their pocket? For the Greeks it was opportunity. Greece was a small agricultural country with an increasing population, so land was very scarce during the mid to late 1800s. Greece was becoming increasingly democratic and was expanding its territory, but many Greeks still remained poor. This was due to the lack of infrastructure and industrialization. Compounding the issue was the fact that Greece was heavily indebted to Britain, heavily taxed, and on the brink of bankruptcy. Chain Migration: The Key to Success Many young Greek men came to America because of this in order to make money to send back to their parents to buy more land for the family. Others sent back money for their sister’s dowry. Once Greeks came here, however, very few of them ever returned home. Instead, many helped bring over other Greeks. This is because Greeks in the South were more financially successful than Greeks in any other part of the country, as almost every Greek household in Savannah in 1910 owned their own business. Greeks owned 54 out of the 111 fruit stores and 17 out of the total 37 restaurants in Savannah. This was due to the desire that many had to own their own business, as many Greeks despised working for wages. The desire to own one's own business was born out of a strong sense of self determination and self-ownership. Like Eli Veruki, many went from selling fruit and polishing shoes to opening their own cafes and restaurants. One very famous example is Leopold’s Ice Cream on Broughton Street.",[130,395],{"_74":409,"_161":410,"_163":411},[],"Constantinople, 1874..PNG","Constantinople, capital of the Ottoman Empire, was where the Veruki family originally came from. Sketching, cir. 1874. \n\nLionel Pincus and Princess Firyal Map Division, The New York Public Library. \"Constantinople, 1874.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 17, 2020. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/b84efeba-ca46-12a0-e040-e00a1806514a","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/ggn6d4kpys18ka68fws00oajow87?variant=desktop",{"_102":413,"_99":24,"_161":410,"_173":174,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":414,"_179":415,"_35":416,"_182":-5,"_183":184,"_185":414,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_74":409,"_191":-5},563,"16029647295.png",{"_192":417,"_194":418,"_196":419,"_198":411,"_200":420},641,"https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/ggn6d4kpys18ka68fws00oajow87","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/ggn6d4kpys18ka68fws00oajow87?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/ggn6d4kpys18ka68fws00oajow87?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/ggn6d4kpys18ka68fws00oajow87?variant=lqip","The Fruit Sellers",{"_35":394,"_65":395,"_74":396},5,{"_35":433,"_65":434,"_74":435},"303 West St. Julian Street, savannah, ga","

Greeks In Savannah\n

One of those small-time sellers were the Greeks, who usually sold fruits and vegetables. This was an especially attractive business for new and established Greek immigrants because the fruit and vegetables market was not difficult to get into since much of the produce could be grown in the small yards. Others might buy them from farmers outside the city and then sell them at the market and depot. Fruit sellers used to balance a large basket of fruit on top of their heads as they were walking up and down the streets. Greeks like Athan Vainas and Eli Veruki traveled up and down St. Julian Street with a basket like this on their heads selling produce. When Eli and Athan established a large enough customer base, they expanded their business and were able to buy property and set up a permanent business.\n

Language Barrier\n

Like many other immigrants, most of the people who made up Savannah's new Greek population did not know English. This raises the question of how did they sell goods if they didn’t know the language? Money and exchange. Greeks did not need to know much English in order to sell their goods. What Greeks needed to know were the names of the goods they were selling and price numbers. That is why so many worked as fruit sellers and shoe polishers. This is how men like Eli Veruki learned. \n

Veruki’s own family came from Constantinople, modern day Istanbul. Unlike Greeks from Greece, those who lived in the Ottoman Empire faced persecution and were seen as second-class citizens. Some Greeks who came from there possibly came to escape persecution.\n\n

",32.080848,-81.094954,[],"Greeks In Savannah\nOne of those small-time sellers were the Greeks, who usually sold fruits and vegetables. This was an especially attractive business for new and established Greek immigrants because the fruit and vegetables market was not difficult to get into since much of the produce could be grown in the small yards. Others might buy them from farmers outside the city and then sell them at the market and depot. Fruit sellers used to balance a large basket of fruit on top of their heads as they were walking up and down the streets. Greeks like Athan Vainas and Eli Veruki traveled up and down St. Julian Street with a basket like this on their heads selling produce. When Eli and Athan established a large enough customer base, they expanded their business and were able to buy property and set up a permanent business.\nLanguage Barrier\nLike many other immigrants, most of the people who made up Savannah's new Greek population did not know English. This raises the question of how did they sell goods if they didn’t know the language? Money and exchange. Greeks did not need to know much English in order to sell their goods. What Greeks needed to know were the names of the goods they were selling and price numbers. That is why so many worked as fruit sellers and shoe polishers. This is how men like Eli Veruki learned. \nVeruki’s own family came from Constantinople, modern day Istanbul. Unlike Greeks from Greece, those who lived in the Ottoman Empire faced persecution and were seen as second-class citizens. Some Greeks who came from there possibly came to escape persecution.\n\n",[130,18],[],170,"the-old-market","The Old Market",{"_35":231,"_65":18,"_74":421},{"_35":136,"_65":474,"_74":475},171,"219 W Bryant St., Savannah, Ga","

The Market

This market was originally built back in the 1700s but unlike today, it was an inside market. The original market burned down in the 1800s and was rebuilt. Then that building was demolished in the mid-1900s and what you see today is the new market.

City Produce

This is where many of Savannah’s immigrants would sell their produce. Typically, it was the larger sellers who would occupy the inside of the market. Though the market was mostly inside, it extended into the streets outside the building as well.

Immigrants who sold goods outside were typically smaller producers and sellers who could not afford stalls inside. Many of these small sellers sold their goods alongside African Americans, who were not allowed to sell inside.

",32.080906,-81.095268,[453,454],"The MarketThis market was originally built back in the 1700s but unlike today, it was an inside market. The original market burned down in the 1800s and was rebuilt. Then that building was demolished in the mid-1900s and what you see today is the new market. City Produce This is where many of Savannah’s immigrants would sell their produce. Typically, it was the larger sellers who would occupy the inside of the market. Though the market was mostly inside, it extended into the streets outside the building as well. Immigrants who sold goods outside were typically smaller producers and sellers who could not afford stalls inside. Many of these small sellers sold their goods alongside African Americans, who were not allowed to sell inside. ",[130,451,452,434],{"_74":448,"_161":449,"_163":450},[],"City Market, Savannah..PNG","Old City Market in the late 1800s.\n\nThe Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. \"City Market, Savannah.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 14, 2020. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-5808-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/916gz6m6evpbzebzdizql8v6bjbx?variant=desktop","city-market","the-old-market-and-fruit-sellers",{"_102":466,"_99":24,"_161":449,"_173":174,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":467,"_179":468,"_35":469,"_182":-5,"_183":184,"_185":467,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_74":448,"_191":-5},{"_102":455,"_99":203,"_161":456,"_173":174,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":457,"_179":458,"_35":459,"_182":-5,"_183":184,"_185":457,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_74":460,"_191":-5},557,"People selling their goods outside the old City Market, late 1800s. \n\nThe Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. \"Savannah Market.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 14, 2020. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e0-5838-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99","16026994681.png",{"_192":461,"_194":462,"_196":463,"_198":464,"_200":465},635,"Savannah Market..PNG","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6hqyixmcemxqjr5v2hvyo6fljm2s","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6hqyixmcemxqjr5v2hvyo6fljm2s?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6hqyixmcemxqjr5v2hvyo6fljm2s?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6hqyixmcemxqjr5v2hvyo6fljm2s?variant=desktop","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6hqyixmcemxqjr5v2hvyo6fljm2s?variant=lqip",555,"16026991854.png",{"_192":470,"_194":471,"_196":472,"_198":450,"_200":473},633,"https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/916gz6m6evpbzebzdizql8v6bjbx","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/916gz6m6evpbzebzdizql8v6bjbx?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/916gz6m6evpbzebzdizql8v6bjbx?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/916gz6m6evpbzebzdizql8v6bjbx?variant=lqip","across-the-pond-and-into-the-marsh","Across the Pond and into the Marsh ",{"_35":433,"_65":434,"_74":435},{"_35":499,"_65":500,"_74":501},"901 West St. Julian Street, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","

Mannaeh Funaci

One notable resident here in western Savannah was Manneh Funacai who went by the name Cornelius McKane. He was the grandson of a West African King but was born in slavery in South America but freed when the British took over the Dutch colony. It is common in the US for people to claim to be descendent of royalty. However, in the case of Cornelius McKane it is largely believed to be true. It is supported by local tribal oral tradition, scholarly works, and the testimony of third parties.

Mr. McKane

He came to the US in the 1870s and studied medicine in Vermont and New York before he came down to Savannah. He set up the McKane Hospital not too far from here on Montgomery Street where the Martin Luther King Jr. Arena is today. He was famous for charging as little as he could for medicine so poorer residents could afford treatment. He was well loved in the city and was even well respected by local whites who typically looked down on African Americans. He and his wife helped set up schools and the first hospital in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, Africa.

\nToday in Franklin Square, you see well kept roads made of asphalt and kept up businesses. It was a very different place back in the 1880s and 1890s. Most of the roads in Savannah were either made out of sand or dirt. When heavy storms blew through, the streets turned to mud. The nearby Ogeechee Canal attracted mosquitoes to this area and were a plague to residents. The canal had been beneficial to the local economy helping irrigate rice fields, power sawmills, and as a form of transportation of goods. After the Civil War, it began to outlive its usefulness and it led to several outbreaks of Yellow Fever. With the marsh like terrain and the presence of mosquitoes, swarms of frogs came to the area. It is because of the large presence of frogs that this part of Savannah got its name, Frogtown . And this is the environment that many of the immigrants lived in. This area was one of the poorest neighborhoods in Savannah; because of this, many chose to live here because it had the most affordable housing. That affordability came at a different cost, it had some of the worst living conditions in the city. They weren’t the only ones who lived here as many African Americans also lived in this part of the city. Here, immigrant owned businesses and homes were side by side the African American owned businesses and homes.

\nNow when people were not at home they were usually at the market, working or buying goods for home. And there's one group that held a large presence at the market like the one here, the Greeks.

",32.081031,-81.095749,[490],"Mannaeh Funaci One notable resident here in western Savannah was Manneh Funacai who went by the name Cornelius McKane. He was the grandson of a West African King but was born in slavery in South America but freed when the British took over the Dutch colony. It is common in the US for people to claim to be descendent of royalty. However, in the case of Cornelius McKane it is largely believed to be true. It is supported by local tribal oral tradition, scholarly works, and the testimony of third parties. Mr. McKaneHe came to the US in the 1870s and studied medicine in Vermont and New York before he came down to Savannah. He set up the McKane Hospital not too far from here on Montgomery Street where the Martin Luther King Jr. Arena is today. He was famous for charging as little as he could for medicine so poorer residents could afford treatment. He was well loved in the city and was even well respected by local whites who typically looked down on African Americans. He and his wife helped set up schools and the first hospital in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, Africa. \nToday in Franklin Square, you see well kept roads made of asphalt and kept up businesses. It was a very different place back in the 1880s and 1890s. Most of the roads in Savannah were either made out of sand or dirt. When heavy storms blew through, the streets turned to mud. The nearby Ogeechee Canal attracted mosquitoes to this area and were a plague to residents. The canal had been beneficial to the local economy helping irrigate rice fields, power sawmills, and as a form of transportation of goods. After the Civil War, it began to outlive its usefulness and it led to several outbreaks of Yellow Fever. With the marsh like terrain and the presence of mosquitoes, swarms of frogs came to the area. It is because of the large presence of frogs that this part of Savannah got its name, Frogtown . And this is the environment that many of the immigrants lived in. This area was one of the poorest neighborhoods in Savannah; because of this, many chose to live here because it had the most affordable housing. That affordability came at a different cost, it had some of the worst living conditions in the city. They weren’t the only ones who lived here as many African Americans also lived in this part of the city. Here, immigrant owned businesses and homes were side by side the African American owned businesses and homes. \nNow when people were not at home they were usually at the market, working or buying goods for home. And there's one group that held a large presence at the market like the one here, the Greeks.",[130,474],{"_74":487,"_161":488,"_163":489},[],"First African Baptist church of Savannah..PNG","First African Baptist Church in Franklin Square\n\nSchomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Photographs and Prints Division, The New York Public Library. \"First African Baptist church of Savannah.\" New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 14, 2020. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47db-c5c8-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/fxcnlm4on6dvuew08iya3io46jvh?variant=desktop",{"_102":491,"_99":24,"_161":488,"_173":174,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":492,"_179":493,"_35":494,"_182":-5,"_183":184,"_185":492,"_186":187,"_188":189,"_74":487,"_191":-5},558,"16026995728.png",{"_192":495,"_194":496,"_196":497,"_198":489,"_200":498},636,"https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/fxcnlm4on6dvuew08iya3io46jvh","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/fxcnlm4on6dvuew08iya3io46jvh?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/fxcnlm4on6dvuew08iya3io46jvh?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/fxcnlm4on6dvuew08iya3io46jvh?variant=lqip",187,"stevedores-and-cotton-pressers","Stevedores and Cotton Pressers",{"_35":136,"_65":474,"_74":475},{"_35":513,"_65":514,"_74":515},188,"2800 W Congress St, Savannah, GA 31401, USA","

Stevedores and Cotton Pressers

Some of the most popular positions available to non-English speaking immigrants in Savannah were as stevedores and cotton oil pressers. Pressers worked machines that compressed cotton to make it easier to transport, and stevedores worked on loading and unloading goods, like cotton, on and off of cargo ships. Both jobs could be taught and completed without much verbal explanation. Many Cubans, in fact, worked on the wharves just a few blocks away from Franklin Square, north on Barnard Street. They worked in loading and unloading goods, some of which would be brought to the City Market.

Learning English

If an immigrant was fortunate enough, some institutions like churches, synagogues, and ethnic philanthropic societies would teach English. One such institution was the Independent Presbyterian Church. It held English classes for the city’s Chinese residents starting in 1897. The local Catholic churches taught Spanish and French speaking residents around the same time. These support groups and societies and the assistance they offered, helped encourage further immigration.

",32.080975,-81.095936,[],"Stevedores and Cotton PressersSome of the most popular positions available to non-English speaking immigrants in Savannah were as stevedores and cotton oil pressers. Pressers worked machines that compressed cotton to make it easier to transport, and stevedores worked on loading and unloading goods, like cotton, on and off of cargo ships. Both jobs could be taught and completed without much verbal explanation. Many Cubans, in fact, worked on the wharves just a few blocks away from Franklin Square, north on Barnard Street. They worked in loading and unloading goods, some of which would be brought to the City Market. Learning EnglishIf an immigrant was fortunate enough, some institutions like churches, synagogues, and ethnic philanthropic societies would teach English. One such institution was the Independent Presbyterian Church. It held English classes for the city’s Chinese residents starting in 1897. The local Catholic churches taught Spanish and French speaking residents around the same time. These support groups and societies and the assistance they offered, helped encourage further immigration.",[130,500],[],169,"the-beginning","The Beginning",{"_35":499,"_65":500,"_74":501},"Montgomery st., Savannah, GA","

Many new immigrants made their home here in Franklin Square. People from Greece, Syria, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden, and even South America and Africa. One large gumbo of people hailing from different nations, who spoke different languages, had different customs, practices, and religious beliefs. Here, this neighborhood was mostly made up of middle-class immigrants who worked as bookkeepers, mechanics, dealers, pawn brokers, merchants, and porters. However, many started out working manual labor positions when they first came to Savannah.

\nMost immigrants who came to Savannah came from non-English speaking nations and did not understand the new language. There were no government programs that would teach immigrants English. Most immigrants picked it up through their everyday dealing with residents. This is why many immigrants worked jobs that didn’t require much talking like in physical labor positions.

",32.081131,-81.096041,[532],"Many new immigrants made their home here in Franklin Square. People from Greece, Syria, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sweden, and even South America and Africa. One large gumbo of people hailing from different nations, who spoke different languages, had different customs, practices, and religious beliefs. Here, this neighborhood was mostly made up of middle-class immigrants who worked as bookkeepers, mechanics, dealers, pawn brokers, merchants, and porters. However, many started out working manual labor positions when they first came to Savannah. \nMost immigrants who came to Savannah came from non-English speaking nations and did not understand the new language. There were no government programs that would teach immigrants English. Most immigrants picked it up through their everyday dealing with residents. This is why many immigrants worked jobs that didn’t require much talking like in physical labor positions. ",[130,529,530,531,514],{"_74":526,"_161":527,"_163":528},[],"Savannah, Georgia. The Reservoir.PNG","Water reservoir in Franklin Square, cir. 1865.\n\nSam A. Cooley, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress. \"Savannah, Georgia. The Reservoir,\" Civil war photographs, 1861-1865. Accessed October 07, 2020. https://www.loc.gov/item/2018671310/","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6qnsujti9e1zv2ezh3bbzx93udhs?variant=desktop","1599762852648","franklin-square","the-begining",{"_102":533,"_99":203,"_161":527,"_173":534,"_175":-5,"_176":-5,"_177":535,"_179":536,"_35":537,"_182":-5,"_183":538,"_185":535,"_186":187,"_188":539,"_74":526,"_191":-5},545,1406,"16019151215.png",{"_192":540,"_194":541,"_196":542,"_198":528,"_200":543},623,281,703,"https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6qnsujti9e1zv2ezh3bbzx93udhs","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6qnsujti9e1zv2ezh3bbzx93udhs?variant=mobile","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6qnsujti9e1zv2ezh3bbzx93udhs?variant=tablet","https://api.opentour.site/georgia-humanities/v4/public/media/6qnsujti9e1zv2ezh3bbzx93udhs?variant=lqip",{"_102":548,"_35":24,"_74":549},{"_102":546,"_35":249,"_74":547},38,"WALKING",35,"BICYCLING","south",32.079969999999996,"north",32.08126,"east",-81.089996375,"west",-81.096712625,"centerLat",32.080614999999995,"centerLng",-81.0933545,"external_url","footer_logo","name","logo_url","notes","subdir","tourSet",{"_35":576,"_80":577,"_578":579,"_580":581},"request",{"_572":573,"_574":575},"protocol","http","host","georgia-humanities.opentour.site","8","tour_sets","attributes",{"_564":73,"_567":10,"_586":587,"_588":589,"_565":-5,"_590":591},"relationships",{"_582":583},"admins",{"_584":585},"data",[],"published_tours",[734,735,736,737,738,739,740,741,742,743,744,745,746,747,748,749,750,751,752,753,754,755,756],"mapable_tours",[600,601,602,603,604,605,606,607,608,609,610,611,612,613,614,615,616,617,618,619,620,621,622],"logo",{"_564":590,"_592":593},"record",{"_35":330,"_564":73,"_594":595,"_596":595,"_567":10,"_597":-5,"_562":-5,"_566":-5,"_563":-5,"_598":-5,"_599":-5,"_31":-5},"created_at","2019-03-29T15:02:28.820Z","updated_at","tour_id","base_sixty_four","logo_title",{"_74":729,"_65":730,"_625":731},{"_74":724,"_65":725,"_625":726},{"_74":719,"_65":720,"_625":721},{"_74":714,"_65":715,"_625":716},{"_74":709,"_65":710,"_625":711},{"_74":704,"_65":705,"_625":706},{"_74":75,"_65":16,"_625":703},{"_74":698,"_65":699,"_625":700},{"_74":693,"_65":694,"_625":695},{"_74":688,"_65":689,"_625":690},{"_74":683,"_65":684,"_625":685},{"_74":678,"_65":679,"_625":680},{"_74":674,"_65":675,"_625":676},{"_74":669,"_65":670,"_625":671},{"_74":664,"_65":665,"_625":666},{"_74":659,"_65":660,"_625":661},{"_74":654,"_65":655,"_625":656},{"_74":649,"_65":650,"_625":651},{"_74":644,"_65":645,"_625":646},{"_74":639,"_65":640,"_625":641},{"_74":634,"_65":635,"_625":636},{"_74":629,"_65":630,"_625":631},{"_74":623,"_65":624,"_625":626},"Georgia WWII Heritage Trail in Thomaston Georgia ","georgia-wwii-heritage-trail-in-thomaston-georgia","center",{"_113":627,"_115":628},32.89106365,-84.32575885,"Southeast DeKalb Driving Tour ","southeast-dekalb-driving-tour",{"_113":632,"_115":633},33.71707426211801,-84.17238043139164,"Pembroke Historic Walking Tour","pembroke-historic-walking-tour",{"_113":637,"_115":638},32.13521801815782,-81.62262288703306,"Cherokee County Black History ","cherokee-county-black-history",{"_113":642,"_115":643},34.1817641,-84.50269000059433,"Social Studies Storytelling in Statesboro","social-studies-storytelling-in-statesboro",{"_113":647,"_115":648},32.44666709149244,-81.78304728070583,"Americus History Trails: The Classic Driving Tour","americus-history-trails-the-classic-driving-tour",{"_113":652,"_115":653},32.067515900000004,-84.230615667791,"Americus History Trails: Postcard Tour","americus-history-trails-postcard-tour",{"_113":657,"_115":658},32.07253455,-84.23377415,"Americus History Trails: Off the Beaten Path Architecture and History","americus-history-trails-off-the-beaten-path-architecture-and-history",{"_113":662,"_115":663},32.067949060000004,-84.23171712999999,"Americus History Trails: Hold On, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize","americus-history-trails-hold-on-keep-your-eyes-on-the-prize",{"_113":667,"_115":668},32.073225125,-84.23512796,"Trail of Tears: Indian Removal in Georgia","trail-of-tears-indian-removal-in-georgia",{"_113":672,"_115":673},34.4668043,-84.875655035,"Touring Thomaston, an Fascinating Place to Visit","touring-thomaston-an-fascinating-place-to-visit",{"_113":627,"_115":677},-84.3150387,"The #TUOR Project: Route 3","the-tuor-project-route-3",{"_113":681,"_115":682},33.776128400000005,-84.36819295000001,"Westview Cemetery Tour","westview-cemetery-tour",{"_113":686,"_115":687},33.746075598345826,-84.44996534171865,"The #TUOR Project: Route 2","the-tuor-project-route-2",{"_113":691,"_115":692},33.764995549999995,-84.34900295,"Overcoming Segregation","overcoming-segregation",{"_113":696,"_115":697},31.550524449999998,-82.836389045,"A Seat at the Table:” A Social History of Savannah Foodways","a-seat-at-the-table-%E2%80%9D-a-social-history-of-savannah-foodways",{"_113":701,"_115":702},45,48.4521255,{"_113":559,"_115":561},"The #TUOR Project: Route 1","the-tuor-project-route-1",{"_113":707,"_115":708},33.75990215,-84.37697365,"Augusta's Golden Blocks","augusta-s-golden-blocks",{"_113":712,"_115":713},33.46897240920558,-81.97610242,"Walking Tour of Cartersville's African American Business District: 1870-1940","walking-tour-of-cartersville-s-african-american-business-district-1870-1940",{"_113":717,"_115":718},34.2507795,-84.80469405,"SANKOFA DRIVING TRAIL","sankofa-driving-trail",{"_113":722,"_115":723},31.792432395,-81.40304625,"Buried History: Savannah's African American Legacy, Driving Tour","buried-history-savannah-s-african-american-legacy-driving-tour",{"_113":727,"_115":728},32.0698103,-81.10228910000001,"Buried History: Savannah's African American Legacy, Downtown Walking Tour","buried-history-savannah-s-african-american-legacy-downtown-walking-tour",{"_113":732,"_115":733},32.07463358,-81.09367285,{"_74":729,"_65":730,"_757":780},{"_74":724,"_65":725,"_757":779},{"_74":719,"_65":720,"_757":778},{"_74":714,"_65":715,"_757":777},{"_74":709,"_65":710,"_757":776},{"_74":704,"_65":705,"_757":775},{"_74":75,"_65":16,"_757":774},{"_74":698,"_65":699,"_757":773},{"_74":693,"_65":694,"_757":772},{"_74":688,"_65":689,"_757":771},{"_74":683,"_65":684,"_757":770},{"_74":678,"_65":679,"_757":769},{"_74":674,"_65":675,"_757":768},{"_74":669,"_65":670,"_757":767},{"_74":664,"_65":665,"_757":766},{"_74":659,"_65":660,"_757":765},{"_74":654,"_65":655,"_757":764},{"_74":649,"_65":650,"_757":763},{"_74":644,"_65":645,"_757":762},{"_74":639,"_65":640,"_757":761},{"_74":634,"_65":635,"_757":760},{"_74":629,"_65":630,"_757":759},{"_74":623,"_65":624,"_757":758},"location",{"_113":627,"_115":628},{"_113":632,"_115":633},{"_113":637,"_115":638},{"_113":642,"_115":643},{"_113":647,"_115":648},{"_113":652,"_115":653},{"_113":657,"_115":658},{"_113":662,"_115":663},{"_113":667,"_115":668},{"_113":672,"_115":673},{"_113":627,"_115":677},{"_113":681,"_115":682},{"_113":686,"_115":687},{"_113":691,"_115":692},{"_113":696,"_115":697},{"_113":701,"_115":702},{"_113":559,"_115":561},{"_113":707,"_115":708},{"_113":712,"_115":713},{"_113":717,"_115":718},{"_113":722,"_115":723},{"_113":727,"_115":728},{"_113":732,"_115":733}]