Rare Old Map of Savannah, Georgia by Colton, 1855: Forsyth Place, Rail Depots, Hutchinson's Island, Fishers Reef, Wards

The City of Savannah, Georgia, as meticulously captured by J.H. Colton in 1855, offers a fascinating glimpse into this historic Southern city before the tumult of the Civil War. This early town plan, one of the earliest available, showcases Savannah's intricate street layout, bustling infrastructure, and significant landmarks. The map is not only a testament to the city's architectural and urban planning achievements but also a rich historical document that includes notes on Savannah's founding in 1776 and its 18th-century history.

J.H. Colton, a renowned 19th-century American map publisher, was known for his high-quality and detailed cartographic works. His maps were celebrated for their accuracy and aesthetic appeal, making them prized possessions for collectors and historians alike. This map of Savannah exemplifies Colton's dedication to precision and beauty, with its colorful design and decorative border adding to its allure. The inclusion of a reference key naming 24 places of interest further enhances its value as a historical artifact.

The map highlights several significant neighborhoods and wards, such as Washington, Warren, Reynolds, and Franklin, each contributing to the city's rich tapestry. Forsyth Place, a large and prominent park, stands out as a green oasis in the urban landscape, reflecting the city's commitment to public spaces. The detailed depiction of streets, roads, and buildings provides a comprehensive view of Savannah's urban fabric, making it an invaluable resource for understanding the city's development and growth.

Landmarks such as the rail depots and the Savannah Albany Rail Road Ground are prominently featured, underscoring the city's importance as a transportation hub in the mid-19th century. The map also captures the natural beauty of the area, with the Savannah River and Hutchinson's Island adding to the geographic context. These features not only enhance the map's visual appeal but also provide insights into the city's strategic and economic significance during this period.

The historical significance of this map extends beyond its visual and cartographic merits. It serves as a window into Savannah's past, offering a snapshot of the city at a pivotal moment in American history. The detailed annotations and reference key provide context and depth, making it a valuable educational tool as well as a beautiful piece of art. For collectors and enthusiasts of historical maps, this 1855 map of Savannah by J.H. Colton is a treasure trove of information and a testament to the enduring legacy of one of America's most storied cities.

Streets and roads on this map

• Abercorn Street
• Barnard Street
• Broughton Street
• Bryan Street
• Bull Street
• Charlton Street
• Congress Street
• Drayton Street
• East Broad Street
• Elbert Square
• Franklin Square
• Gordon Street
• Green Square
• Hall Street
• Harris Street
• Henry Street
• Jefferson Street
• Jones Street
• Liberty Street
• Lincoln Street
• Madison Square
• McDonough Street
• Montgomery Street
• Orleans Square
• Perry Street
• Pulaski Square
• South Broad Street
• State Street
• Taylor Street

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Rail depots
• Savannah Albany Rail Road Ground
• Forsyth Place
• Hutchinson's Island
• Fishers Reef
• Several wards such as Washington, Warren, Reynolds, Franklin, Greene, Columbia, and others

Historical and design context

• A beautiful street map showing this South Eastern city prior to the US civil war.
• This is one of the earliest town plans you can find of Savannah.
• The map shows streets, roads, buildings, stations, rail depots, etc.
• It includes a note concerning its founding in 1776 and 18th Century history, along with a Reference key naming 24 places of interest.
• When the map was made: 1855
• Mapmaker or publisher: J.H. Colton & Co.
• Context about the mapmaker: J.H. Colton was a prominent 19th-century American map publisher known for producing high-quality maps and atlases.
• Topics and themes shown on the map: City streets and infrastructure, buildings and notable landmarks, rail depots and stations, historical notes about the city's founding and 18th-century history
• Countries and regions shown on the map: United States, specifically the city of Savannah, Georgia
• Design or style of the map: Detailed and colorful with a decorative border, includes a reference key and historical notes
• Historical significance or context: Provides a glimpse into the layout and development of Savannah before the Civil War, one of the earliest available town plans of Savannah, offering valuable historical insights

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.