Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Rotary Club of Savannah
Service above Self
Photographed by David Seibert, January 19, 2015
1. The Rotary Club of Savannah Marker
Inscription.
The Rotary Club of Savannah. Service above Self. On January 5, 1914, the Rotary Club of Savannah met for the first time at the DeSoto Hotel. Founded by John S. Banks and a group of local businessmen, this was the second Rotary club established in Georgia. The nations first service club, Rotary began in Chicago in 1905 and promotes community and economic development projects at home and abroad. The Savannah club sponsored the formation of eight others around the state. Together, they championed local and regional developments including completing the road to Tybee Island, improving the Savannah River for commercial traffic, enhancing the Dixie Highway system in southeast Georgia, and building bridges over the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers. Furthering the goals of Rotary International, the club has also supported wartime relief efforts, student scholarships, polio eradication and other global health initiatives, and student scholarships.
On January 5, 1914, the Rotary Club of Savannah met for the first time at the DeSoto Hotel. Founded by John S. Banks and a group of local businessmen, this was the second Rotary club established in Georgia. The nations first service club, Rotary began in Chicago in 1905 and promotes community and economic development projects at home and abroad. The Savannah club sponsored the formation of eight others around the state. Together, they championed local and regional developments including completing the road to Tybee Island, improving the Savannah River for commercial traffic, enhancing the Dixie Highway system in southeast Georgia, and building bridges over the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers. Furthering the goals of Rotary International, the club has also supported wartime relief efforts, student scholarships, polio eradication and other global health initiatives, and student scholarships.
Erected 2013 by The Georgia Historical Society and the Rotary Club of Savannah. (Marker Number 25-44.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included
Location. 32° 4.467′ N, 81° 5.6′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. It is at the intersection of Liberty Street and Bull Street, in the median on Liberty Street. The marker stands on the east side of the Liberty Street intersection with Bull Street, in front of the DeSoto Hilton Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15 East Liberty Street, Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2017, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 679 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 13, 2017, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. 3. submitted on July 19, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.
