In the 50s when middle America moved from downtown to the suburbs, Savannah was merely abandonned, not destroyed. Much of downtown has been deserted. A store lies empty, with a back soon sign on the window, as though the occupants evacuated in a hurry and never returned. Paint peels from hand painted signs that have surrendered to the hot Georgia sun. This is the Savannah that tourists don't want to see. Soon it will be gone.


What few stores remain will be gone soon. They will make way for the tourists who need coffee, and sandwiches, and smoothies. Soon downtown will be smart and clean again. Old store fronts will be town down. Walls will be painted. The deserted shoe repair shop will be revonated and have the 25c Coke machine inside will be removed and dumped. When these pictures were taken, work had already started on the new Starbucks.





31401 Index. Pictures from Savannah, GA by Colin E. Manning colinmanning@excite.com