Savannah Station

A fine example of mid-century modern architecture, the station is embellished with brightly-colored murals depicting the history of the city and port of Savannah.

he Savannah station is located to the west of the city and slightly south and west of the Savannah River. Constructed in 1962 by the Savannah District Authority, the city’s redevelopment agency, the building was meant to replace the former downtown Union Station, which was demolished the following year to make way for an interstate highway exchange.

Designed by architect Frank Pierce Milburn, Savannah Union Station was completed in 1902 at a cost of $150,000. It was an example of Spanish Renaissance and Elizabethan styles, the main feature of which was an octagonal rotunda measuring 80 feet in diameter that served as the general waiting room. Exterior walls were made of pressed brick with granite and terracotta trim.

Originally leased to the Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Airline railroads, the new $1.5 million Savannah station was an example of mid-century modern architecture, characterized by clean lines and minimal ornamentation. The building has a flat, cantilevered roof, large porte-cochere supported by square columns with inset geometric designs, and panoramic window walls that allow natural light to flood the interior. The richly textured exterior incorporates orange brick, large limestone blocks and ceramic tile; at the entrance, the tiled wall is accented by a playful mosaic of a steam locomotive. Along the tracks, a deep and long porch shelters passengers from inclement weather and the strong summer sun.

Inside, the waiting room has terrazzo flooring, popular with Modernist designers for its variegated patterns, but also intensely practical since it is hard and durable. Across from the wall of windows is the ticket counter, presided over by a stylized clock high on the wall. Gleaming, streamlined metal letters spell out “Tickets” and “Baggage.” Along the perimeter of the room, rows of lights have decorative metal shades with circular cutwork designs.

On the two remaining walls, murals in bright colors by Tattersfield Associates, a Philadelphia-based design firm, depict the history of the city and port of Savannah. The former includes Fort Pulaski, the Forsyth Park fountain and a full portrait of Nathanael Greene, the Revolutionary War commander known for his successful campaigns in defense of the southern colonies. The latter depicts waterfront landmarks such as the Cotton Exchange and Factor’s Walk where many of the cotton brokers had offices.

In the 1930s and 1940s, many of the distinguished buildings in the historic district were demolished to create parking lots, and many of the cities squares bisected to allow automobile traffic. The demolition of the 1870 City Market and the attempted demolition of the 1821 Davenport House prompted seven Georgia women to create the Historic Savannah Foundation, which was able to preserve the city from further destruction. The founding of the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1979 also began a process of renovation and adaptive reuse that has contributed much to the city’s rebirth.

Great American Stations