Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Savannah State College

Photographed by David Seibert, January 23, 2005

1. Savannah State College Marker

Inscription. This state college was established in 1891 as the Georgia Industrial College for Colored Youths as an outgrowth of the Second Morrill Act of 1890 and an Act of the Georgia General Assembly, November 26, 1890, creating this institution as one of the original Negro land-grant colleges.

The initial session was held at the Baxter Street School in Athens from June to August, 1891. In October of the same year, the school sessions began on the present site. Its initial educational program was agricultural, mechanical and literary, and by 1898, the college was able to award it first degree.

It was the first public institution of higher learning to be established for Negroes in the state and now is a part of the University System of Georgia.

The first president (1891-1921) of the college was Major R. R. Wright who, when just a lad, was asked by General O. O. Howard of the Freedman’s Bureau what message should he take back to the people of the North. Young Wright’s famous answer was, “Just tell them, we are rising.” His answer inspired the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier to write the poem, “The Little Black Boy of Atlanta.”

Erected 1978 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 025-90.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is November 26, 1890.

Location. 32° 1.418′ N, 81° 3.351′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is at the intersection of College Avenue and Vernon Street, on the right when traveling north on College Avenue. The marker is just south of the Colson Adminstration Building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31404, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Walter Bernard Hill Hall (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roger Lacy (Lacey) (approx. 0.7 miles away); St. Pius X High School (approx. 0.7 miles away); Mercer Auto Camp (approx. 1.3 miles away); American Legion Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Sacred to the Memory of Veterans of World Wars (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Old Bonaventure Waterworks and Garden (approx. 1½ miles away); Little Gracie (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Regarding Savannah State College.

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The website for the institution, now Savannah State University, is at http://www.savannahstate.edu.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,312 times since then and 16 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 24, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?