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

Colonial Group, Inc.

Originally American Oil Company

Photographed by Brian Anderson, March 25, 2022

1. Colonial Group, Inc. Marker

Inscription. Raymond McAllister Demere founded the American Oil Company on July 21, 1921, as Savannah's first independent wholesale petroleum company, and he opened his first service station at this site in 1923. Renamed Colonial Oil in 1933, the company is now known as Colonial Group, Inc. In 1934 the company built its first independent ocean terminal on the Savannah River, contributing to the growth and diversification of the Port of Savannah. In 1964 Colonial launched Interstate Stations, now Enmarket, for the operation of convenience stores in the Southeast. At its 100th anniversary in 2021, the fourth-generation family-owned company remained headquartered in Savannah and was one of the area's largest employers having expanded with multiple, diverse subsidiaries to become one of the largest privately-held corporations in the United States.

Erected 2021 by Georgia Historical Society and Colonial Group, Inc. (Marker Number 25-65.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1921.

Location. 32° 4.372′ N, 81° 5.566′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the South Historic District. It is at the intersection of East Charlton Street and Drayton Street, on the

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right when traveling east on East Charlton Street. 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: Birthplace of Girl Scouting (within shouting distance of this marker); Juliette Low (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonial Dames House (within shouting distance of this marker); First Girl Scout Headquarters in America (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew Low House (within shouting distance of this marker); Mary Musgrove (within shouting distance of this marker); Marist Place (within shouting distance of this marker); Savannah Volunteer Guards (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, July 5, 2025

2. Colonial Group, Inc. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 169 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 8, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 2. submitted on July 19, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.

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