1943 Map of Savannah, Georgia, World War II Era

A curious c. 1943 / World War II era map of Savannah, Georgia, untitled and seemingly unrecorded. It notes various landmarks and public institutions in the city while also obliquely referencing the ongoing conflict.

A Closer Look

The central section of Savannah is displayed, with important buildings and historical sites illustrated, including libraries, hospitals, squares, theaters, and hotels, indexed at left in correspondence with a grid surrounding the map. Many of these sites were important for Savannah's long history, while others refer to its contemporary state. Number 93, 'Carnegie Library (for Negroes),' is a reminder of the city's segregated public spaces. Streetcars, bus lines, one-way streets, and highways are indicated. References to shipyards to the east of the city (near Old Fort Jackson), and airfields to its north and south, serve as a reminder of World War II, and the city's important role in it, especially the production of 'Liberty Ships' which supplied Allied armies.

Publication History and Census

This map is untitled, undated, and includes no publication information, but from context can be dated to World War II (1939 - 1945). The mention of Hunter field indicates a date of 1940 (when the airfield opened) or later, but the map must date to before 1948 as Chatham Field was then renamed Travis Field (now it is the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport). The reference to the Southeast Medical Center (on Oatland Island) also indicates a date during the Second World War. No other known examples of this map exist in institutional collections or on the market.