Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

John Ryan's Excelsior Bottle Works

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 9, 2008

1. John Ryan's Excelsior Bottle Works Marker

Inscription. On this site in 1852 stood the Excelsior Bottle Works operated by John Ryan for the manufacture of soda water and other carbonated beverages. Ryan's soda, in colorful bottles embossed with his name and location, was known throughout Georgia. His operations expanded to Augusta, Columbus and Atlanta. Today Ryan's bottles are prized by collectors nationwide. John Ryan with his contemporaries, Thomas Maher and James Ray, is commemorated for his pioneer contribution to the soda water industry in Georgia and the United States. Ryan retired from business in 1879 and passed away in Savannah on March 23, 1885.

Erected 1976 by Direction of Georgia House Resolution Adopted March 5, 1976.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Landmarks • Notable Places. A significant historical month for this entry is March 2005.

Location. 32° 4.932′ N, 81° 5.741′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. It is at the intersection of W.Bay St. and Montgomery St., on the right when traveling west on W.Bay St.. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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 walking distance of this marker: First African Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Jonathan Bryan (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named The First African Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); Haitian Monument (about 400 feet away); Evacuation of Savannah (about 400 feet away); Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument (about 600 feet away); William Scarbrough House (about 600 feet away); Ships That Carried the Name Savannah (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, 2008

2. John Ryan's Excelsior Bottle Works Marker

Photographed by Mike Stroud, December 9, 2008

3. John Ryan's Excelsior Bottle Works Marker

Near the corner of Bay and Montgomery Streets in Savannah, in front of Promenade Motel

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 3,641 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 17, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.