Chatham Crescent The Beauty Spot of Georgia [Savannah]

BIG BUSINESS RULES THE UNIVERSE – Text, verso.

This spectacular promotional was issued in 1918 or early 1919 to promote a real estate sale in the historical Savannah neighborhood of Chatham Crescent. The event was organized by Atlantic City-based developer Eff Perry Butler, who was apparently hoping to capitalize on the economic surge from America’s entry into World War II. Text on the verso reads (in part):

“Savannah already is the second largest Cotton Port in the world; Has the big Terry Shipbuilding Plant with ten millions in Government Contracts; Six Railroads; Two Steamship Lines; the Big Atlantic Pulmp Works..and is the LARGEST NAVAL STORES PORT IN THE WORLD. Chatham Crescent not ten minutes from the heart of the city is the most ideal development throughout the entire United States.”

Upper-class buyers certainly would have been attracted to the circular’s contents, topped with an idyllic Neoclassical home and palm trees. Near the bottom of the page, there is a sweeping panoramic photograph of the development, noting paved walkways lined with foliage and spacious parks. A map of the neighborhood immediately above is bounded by 40th St., Waters Ave., 47th St., and Abercorn St. Additional persuasive text encourages the buyer not to wait – AS LONG AS YOU LIVE, YOU NEED A HOME. In case that logical argument wasn’t enough, there was also a raffle for a 5-passenger 1918 Overland Car! From the Savannah Historical Foundation:

“Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent is noted for its great urban design, solid architectural fabric, and its infrastructure of drainage, sewage, electric and gas lines which were installed by the City of Savannah in exchange for the donation of all parks, streets, street lights, granite curbing, and sidewalks which were provided by the developers.

Chatham Crescent composes approximately two-thirds of the neighborhood and features a number of interesting city planning and urban features, such as a grand mall, crescent-shaped avenues, and small circular parks set into a grid of streets and lanes that align with the Ardsley Park neighborhood. This street alignment, along with architectural consistency, make the area appear to be one unified development. The area was developed by civic leader Harvey Granger. Henri Bignault, who trained at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, designed Chatham Crescent, Georgia’s only known example of the City Beautiful movement.”

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