Top 10 Fun Facts about River Street, Georgia

River Street (Savannah, Georgia). Photo by Aude on Wikimedia

Top 10 Fun Facts about River Street, Georgia

River Street is a commercial Street and promenade. The street is located in Savannah, Georgia, United States.

River Street runs along the southern edge of the Savannah River for 2 miles. The street is one-way (westbound) from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

As one of Savannah’s main historic attractions, modern River Street looks a lot different than it did during the founding of Georgia in 1733.

 The century-old buildings of River Street, once cotton warehouses, have been converted to antique shops, distinctive boutiques, spectacular galleries, quaint brew pubs, fabulous restaurants, unique nightspots, elegant inns and hotels.

Let’s Learn the Top 10 Fun Facts about River Street, Georgia

1. Each Building Holds its Rich Legacy

The Savannah Cotton Exchange was constructed in 1887 and designed by Boston Architect, William Gibbons Preston. It is designed in the Romanesque revival style. The Cotton Exchange is remembered for deploying millions of bales of cotton over its operational lifetime.

River Street ensured Savannah’s economic and commercial success. The Cotton Exchange was also located on River Street, making the roadway indispensable to Savannah’s prosperity

Other structures on River Street contribute to the promenade. Many of these are now storefronts with windows filled with antiques, clothing, souvenirs, offices, and even a museum.

The River Street Inn occupies five stories in one of the restored 19th-century buildings. The Inn is located just above historic River Street and shares its location with Huey’s on the River.

2. The Cobblestones that Pave River Street come from Around the World

River Street, Savannah, Georgia, 2017. Photo by Seasider53 on Wikimedia

River Street is paved with cobblestones that are hand-load. The cobblestones were originally used as ballast material on the various ships that sailed into Savannah’s harbour.

 The ships collected chert, quartz, granite, basalt and other rocks from their initial locations and deposited the stones upon unloading in Savannah. The stones originated in several exotic locales including Madeira Island, Spain, Canada, France and the British Isles.

3. Various Buildings on River Street were Holding Pens for Enslaved People

River Street is one of the sites with Savannah’s dark past. The remnants of this dark history can be discovered in this street.

A large number of enslaved people who survived the Middle Passage arrived in Savannah and were chained in warehouses that lined River Street. Many of these warehouses still stand today. Some still have shackle remains and visible holes where enslaved people were chained to the walls.

4. One of the Most Haunted Areas in Savannah

There are various reasons why River Street is recognized as one of the most haunted areas in Savannah. One, the land plot which was built by General James Oglethorpe was a burial ground for Native tribes.

Secondly, River Street was the centre of deadly labour. Several servants from Europe and slaves from Africa were forced to load and unload cumbersome freight from harbouring ships. The multitudes who departed as a result of River Street drudgery are said to frequent the historic roadway to this day.

5. River Street is Abundant with Shopping Centres

River Street. Photo by XEON on Wikimedia

River Street is rich with various centres to stop at for shopping. The River Street sweets have been consistently been voted as Best Candy Store. It offers the freshest, highest, quality, most flavour candies and confections.

True Grits is a family-owned business operating since early 1970. It features an ever-evolving selection of gifts, apparel, and so much more.

River Street marketplace is a sprawling market that features 75 vendor booths and 50 shops selling everything from handmade jewellery to framed museum-quality prints and apparel.

6. Huge Number of Restaurants with River Views

Places to eat on River Street are plentiful, with a huge number of restaurants, pubs and cafés offering riverfront dining, whether casual or upscale. The dining places are open in the evenings and on weekends.

River Street restaurants are often bustling with live music. Moreover, the outdoor dining adds to the ambience.

Seafood restaurants are also plenty on River Street and most restaurants will offer some sort of seafood dish. Various seafood dishes are fried or steamed crab, oysters or shrimp, or other more classically presented American or international seafood dishes.

The primary appeal of most of the restaurants on River Street is their waterfront location. The river views and option to dine outdoors are excellent and fun.

7. Morrell Park Host the Savannah’s Waving Girl Monument

The monument in Morrell Park, along East River Street, commemorates local woman Florence Martus, better known as Savannah’s Waving Girl. She is depicted in the act of waving to a passing ship, her dog standing at her side.

Martus became famous for greeting each ship that entered Savannah Harbour. She waited for the ships with a handkerchief or tower by day and a lamp by night.

For more than 44 years she never missed a ship. Sailors on board would greet her back by honking their ship’s horns.

The sailors did not recognize her name and thus began to refer to the Waving Girl. Other historic monuments on River Street are The WWII monument and the African-American Monument.

8. Explore the Section Known as the Factors Walk

Georgia Queen Paddlewheeler along River Street – Savannah – Georgia – USA. Photo by Adam Jones on Wikimedia

Factors walk was an original cotton trading area on River Street. It was constructed in 1817 and contains several pedestrian bridges that cross over the street below. The bridges have been crossed hundreds of thousands of times by many hard-working souls.

The namesake men who “factored” the amount of cotton in a shipment, made certain that each lot was appropriately tallied and stored. Take time to cross the bridges and reflect on the lives of those almost two centuries past.

9. Several Boat rides Down the Savannah River are Available Straight from River Street

On River Street, several boat rides down the Savannah River are available. You will find historical riverboat tours of the Savannah and its port, or dolphin tours travelling the down the river to its mouth near Tybee Island.

You get a chance of spotting various species of dolphins, and birds and a picturesque view of River Street. Moreover, a free ferry service is available between River Street and Hutchinson Island. The ferry takes only a few minutes to cross but offers great views of River Street from either the boat or from Hutchinson Island.

10. River Street is Established for Its Nightlife

River Street, Savannah, Georgia, 2019. Photo by Seasider53 on Wikimedia

River Street has plenty of taverns and pubs. At night Gas lamps ignite and the street is filled with a hazy glow. The luminous doorways beckon to fun-loving crowds.

At this time, River Street is spelt with entertainment with genres of music, unique art forms and street performers. The nightlife is also made colourful by festivities.

Whether it’s the dynamic Wet Willies with over 15 frozen drink flavours or Kevin Barry’s Pub featuring river views and a balcony. The time spent will be filled with memories.