Behold the charm of River Street!
River Street is a historic marvel that stood the test of time for over three centuries. This port city was once the hub of bustling trade that made Savannah a force to reckon with. The precious bales of cotton that were shipped out of here clothed the world in luxury. Fast forward to the present, and you’ll find that the robust buildings that once stored this precious cargo have transformed into a vibrant hot spot of shops, bars, galleries, and restaurants.
As you walk down the streets of River Street, you can’t help but admire the cobbled stones nestled in the ground, seemingly frozen in time for two centuries. The cobblestones that grace the charming River Street in Savannah were not simply hauled in from a nearby quarry. No, these stones have traveled far and wide, crossing oceans and continents to finally find their resting place in this picturesque city. Little do many know, these stones arrived with the same ships that brought prosperity to this port, acting as ballast to steady the vessels during voyages.
The “Stone Stairs of Death.”
These 33 historic steps on the western end of River Street provide access to the stunning cobblestone streets below. If the stairs seem a bit too daunting, don’t worry – there are alternate routes to the lower level. There are cobblestone-sloped walkways from Bay Street and Factor’s Walk. There is an incline, but even if you are afraid of heights, they are manageable.
These inclines are referred to as ramps. Here are some historic facts regarding these ramps:
- The Lincoln Street Ramp is at its River Street terminus between the Lower Stoddard Range.
- Between 1840 and 1844, east of Savannah City Hall, a series of vaults, known as the Cluskey Embankment Stores (named for architect Charles B. Cluskey), were built into an earlier brick wall.
- In 1854, stonemason Michael Cash began building part of today’s ballast-stone retaining wall. It provided access to the waterfront while also preventing erosion of the bluff. Cash began with the Lincoln Ramp in 1854.
- During construction of the Barnard Street wall, 30-year-old George Rankin fell to his death. Apparently, he failed to realize that building work had begun. He was carrying out a paper route for his sick son. He was discovered “quite dead after daylight” the following morning, having broken his neck.
- In the retaining walls of today’s ramps are stone carvings denoting the mayor who authorized the work. In most cases it was Edward Clifford Anderson. Michael Cash was responsible for the walls that run from Barnard to East Broad Streets.
- The surfaces of the ramps leading to and from River Street were repaved from 1866 and thereafter.
If you find the ramps are too difficult to traverse, you can also use the outdoor elevator between the Hyatt Regency Savannah and City Hall.
And because they are so steep, some restaurants offer elevators that take you directly down to the street. But for the daring, the descent down these steep stairs offers an adrenaline-pumping workout and an unbeatable view of the river.
Each step you take on these historic cobblestones connects you to a bygone era of trade and travel, from around the world to the heart of the city. A stroll down River Street is now a walk through history, a glimpse into the past that still thrives in the present.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factors_Walk.
