Justin Gunther

Historic Signs of Savannah (Images of America: Georgia) Justin Gunther

From the cotton boom after the Civil War to Savannah's economic decline around the middle of the 20th century, the city's streetscapes were crowded with signs. In a time before strict sign regulations, business owners embellished building facades and and rooftops with extensive signage to catch the eye of pedestrians and motorists. The abundance of advertising was symbolic of Savannah's rapid growth and prosperity, but the majority of these signs were discarded over the years, and only a few remain. Photographs and postcards from the past survive, however, and images of historic signs serve as reminders of these lost commercial relics. Such signs give the bricks and mortar of the past another dimension by identifying their social purpose. Through vintage images of Savannah signage, this volume provides a history of the city's businesses and industries. Included are local landmarks like Levy Jewelers, the Globe Shoe Company, the Lucas Theatre, the Marshall House, and Johnny Harris Restaurant.