History

Chatham County, the 3rd county formed in Georgia, was created from what had been Christ Church Parish and part of St. Phillip's Parish, dating from 1758. The county was named for one of England's most celebrated prime ministers, William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham.

Comprising the state's northern most coastal area, at the mouth of the Savannah River, Chatham County includes the site on which General James Oglethorpe landed in 1733 to establish the Georgia Colony.

Points of Interest

Savannah is home to a National Historic Landmark District of 2.5 square miles, and more than 1,100 architecturally significant buildings. The Victorian District is one of the nation's largest collections of that period's architecture.

Notable Citizens

Chatham County claims many notable people. James Habersham was the Secretary and Acting Governor of the Colony, and Joseph Habersham was the first Postmaster of the United States. Joseph also was the leader of a group known as the Liberty Boys who stole British ammunition and sent it to Boston at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. Juliette Gordon Lowe, the founder of the Girl Scouts, was from Savannah. Also, famous songwriter and musician Johnny Mercer hails from the county.

Higher Education

Armstrong Atlantic State University, South College, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Savannah State University.

Annual Events

Savannah hosts the second largest St. Patrick's Day parade and celebration in the U.S., and is the setting for the national bestseller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil .

Savannah's harbor ship traffic

Carriage tour in Historic Savannah