Thunderbolt in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
John S. Banks
Founder of the Rotary Club of Savannah
— Born: March 22, 1879 Died: November 21, 1915 —
Photographed By Craig Doda, November 12, 2022
1. John S. Banks Marker
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his death, the Rotary Club of Savannah is pleased to erect this marker honoring our founder and first club president, John Sherer Banks.
John Banks was a young local businessman (piano shop owner) and community leader (Chatham County Road Commissioner) when he learned of a new and growing service organization called Rotary. He was immediately drawn to the Rotary motto which reflected his own personal ethic: "service above self".
On January 5th and 12th of 1914, John Banks, his friend Henry Ludeman and several piano business partners organized the Rotary Club of Savannah, attracting forty-two men to become charter members. Mr. Banks was elected the first president of the club and went on to organize the Rotary Club of Augusta and other South Georgia Clubs. He also launched the Rotary Club of Savannah's first community service projects: Build the road to Tybee and the Bethesda home for boys, all before his untimely death in 1915.
The Rotary Club of Savannah hereby honors our beloved founder and first president.
Dedicated by our 100th anniversary serving presidents:
Michael C. Traynor, 2013-14,
Holden T. Hayes, 2014-2015,
Rick Monroe, 2015-2016
Charles E. Powell, Club Historian
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 5, 1914.
Location. 32° 2.711′ N, 81° 2.963′ W. Marker is in Thunderbolt, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker can be reached from Greenwich Road east of Bonaventure Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 330 Bonaventure Rd, Savannah GA 31404, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Bonaventure Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Solomon's Lodge No. 1 (about 500 feet away); Julia Denise Backus Smith (approx. 0.2 miles away); Colonials at Bonaventure (approx. ¼ mile away); Sacred to the Memory of Veterans of World Wars (approx. ¼ mile away); American Legion Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Fred Wessels, Senior (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Old Bonaventure Waterworks and Garden (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thunderbolt.
Photographed By Craig Doda, November 12, 2022
2. John S. Banks Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
