A 100-photo retrospective revisits Savannah from 1980 through 1989, bringing together everyday scenes, public celebrations and moments of change. The images include locations around the city as well as Tybee Island, Garden City and Wilmington Island.
Early photographs show siblings at Riverfront Park in January 1980, snow in Forsyth Park that March and children playing on Tybee’s beach later that month. Other frames feature the Oatland Island Educational Center, city parades and activity along the waterfront.
Several images trace public projects. Work on a $1.5 million Forsyth Park renovation began in March 1981; city officials formally unveiled the improvements in June 1982. A July 1983 photograph records the Talmadge Bridge closed after a ship struck it.
Later scenes include a movie crew’s work in Madison Square in 1987, when Spanish moss was removed from trees, and a 1988 gathering around the winning design for the Savannah Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Photos from 1989 include the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Charlie Daniels performing at Night in Old Savannah.
Yolonda Harris
News Now Georgia
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