Scottish Guy Walks Savannah's Historic Squares

[@willbygosh4887]

St. Augustine Florida is a unique historical town also.

[@KarenBillups]

The concrete with shells is called tabby. Back in the day, they didn’t have a local source of limestone to make concrete, so they used ground up shells. It is used in Spain, and they say the Spanish brought it into Florida, and Oglethorp introduced it to the Savannah area. It is still used, as it’s quite attractive and provides more traction than plain concrete.

[@jeffhampton2767]

That bed and breakfast is stunning and your breakfast looks incredible❤

[@rayvanhorn1534]

No matter how many times I visit Forsyth Park, I never tire of seeing it. Have so many fond memories of going with my mom & dad to have lunch or some special event. My mom worked for an attorney just a few squares away so I saw it a lot back in the 70s. We lived on Tybee Island which is about 20 minutes away. So glad y’all had a great visit. So much history in Savannah & the surrounding area.

[@SherriLyle80s]

Savannah runs along the Savannah River which runs right out into the ocean. Savannah is not very far from the coast. That's why you have all those shells in the sidewalk.

[@kimnapier8387]

I'm an American, born Californian and I have not been to Savannah. It's so, architecture beautiful ❤️. I love architecture. I'm delighted to see the cobblestone and beautiful buildings! Thank you for the tour ❤

[@TheBexi]

No matter where I go in the world, Savannah is always my favorite city 💜

[@bkm2797]

Sad Savannah has such a dark past, really is a beautiful city. Love and miss all the Oak trees with the Spanish moss, that's when you know you are in the South. Thanks Shaun and Tekka, enjoyed the tour.❤️👍

[@crazychicSHENA]

Savannah ❤😊 very nice beautiful Garden's 🌹 and southern charm☘️

[@stacyl7783]

Can't wait for the ghosts of Savannah episode!

[@JeffTaylor-tr7my]

As an American I'm glad you have spent some time to consider the massive effect of slavery. I wish all visitors to come to the US and enjoy all of it's wonders but also learn a little about the human cost to build this country and how we still struggle with it's ongoing legacy. Thank you for expressing such a thoughtful view.

[@dalemoore8582]

Welll he should consider also the UK’s contribution to this horrible time. Great Britain as well as Portugal and the Dutch brought slaves to our country. But they like to pretend that it had nothing to do with them

[@PungiFungi]

America was not the first to have institutionalized slavery and it certainly abolished it after only how many years after it was formed compared to other nations in the rest of the world?

[@debbysalmon2498]

As a Scot, Shawn knows all about the thousand of Scottish indentured servants, who were sent to the colonies to work for any amount of time, as it was up to the person who paid for them... A lot of Scottish solders we sent here from the prisons, their only crimes was to fight for their freedom in the Culloden uprising in 1745. and before. Slavery was terrible, but the slaves of the plantations were not the only people who we in slaved in this country.

[@clemdane]

Savannah is so gorgeous. I really want to go back.

[@patriciamcmurray4272]

I love Savannah. Living in Atlanta, it’s a nice 3 day weekend trip. The city is very walkable and just beautiful. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@Hoodat_Whatzit]

Oh yay! I just watched the Pirate House video and mentioned how you should see all the squares. I love Savannah.. It's one of my favorite places.

[@Swampzoid]

My lovely hometown. Oyster shells mixed with concrete is called Tabby.

[@Melodystiak1]

You've done your research. Good for you, always makes the trip more fulfilling.

[@Liz-sz2ee]

Savannah is one of my absolute favorite US cities. I understand that you prefer either Charleston or Savannah. I liked Charleston, certainly, but love Savannah. The history, the food, the ghosts, what’s not to love?

[@PungiFungi]

Charleston is boring compared to Savannah. It is becoming boring and generic.

[@tbergstrom4599]

Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia was a truly amazing person a humanitarian and reformer. He convinced the British crown to grant him a charter to create a colony for the rehabilitation of former convicts and the poor. Georgia's original government banned slavery and welcomed groups persecuted in Europe like the Jews. America's history is very complex. From the outset many opposed slavery. It arguably was established when cash crops were discovered like tobacco and grew and extended as Britain ran out of impoverished people to ship to America as indentured servants, and inventions like the cotton gin made plantations profitable and in need of labor. Its important to remember that often the poor Europeans who arrived here were themselves indentured with few legal rights of their own, that far fewer Africans were brought to what became the US than South America, and only in the U.S did the population brought from Africa increase. Most of the Founders opposed the institution of slavery and worked from the outset to eliminate it, but had to achieve that goal while also protecting a new political system which they thought would bring freedom to people who came from all over the world. They thought that attempting to end the institution at the outset would all end the chance for their experiment in government by the people and for the people from surviving.

[@uva514]

Lawyers, Catholics, and slaves were forbidden when the colony was founded, but Jews were welcomed, forming the third Jewish congregation in America. Lots of history in Savannah.

[@annafredriksson3008]

Alcohol was also prohibited.

[@annafredriksson3008]

Glad you enjoyed our great city!!

[@bernardmayles6564]

Last year we stopped in Savanah for a day while on vacation and we are at a place called Huey's on the River, and surprisingly, they had some of the best wings I've ever had

[@HardKnox333]

I went on that same ghost trolley tour when I was there. I enjoyed it. I stayed at the 17hundtred90 Inn because it's said to be haunted. It was absolutely lovely but I didn't experience any ghosts. (Or else they left me alone. Lol) But watching this makes me want to go back down. Such an exquisite city.

[@Bekka_Noyb]

such a great place to just wander & stroll round 🙂

[@jimmyb.6272]

One thing that may surprise you is that you have already visited more places in America than most Americans will ever see in their lifetime, and you have only visited a very small percentage of the country

[@jeffhampton2767]

Keep in mind that we're many towns all over the United States that are historical with Colonial and Victorian architecture. I'm happy to see that you started visiting some smaller cities and towns instead of going to just large cities. ❤🇺🇸🙏🏻👍🏻

[@rogueredshirt5239]

Savannah is one of the oldest cities in the country- we don't have a lot of those.

[@The_Crucible714]

The east coast (and particularly the north-east) is the oldest part of the country. You won’t find similar architecture out west unless it was physically moved there.

[@TheSwissChalet]

@@rogueredshirt5239 there are more than you think. East of the Mississippi you will find hundreds of small charming towns with historic architecture. They may not be quite as old as Savannah, but they are just as stunning with their own unique regional styles.The Spanish moss is stunning, though…that adds to Savannah’s unique charm, for sure.

[@HiSummerWasHere]

Savannah receives around 18 million visitors every year, it’s not such a small town

[@PungiFungi]

Many American cities are losing their unique identities and becoming generic metropolises. Savannah is one of the few that retained what made it unique.

[@raydaniel2490]

I love Savannah. Living just a couple of hours up the freeway in Macon, GA, it is easy to take a day trip. I often say that when coming to Georgia, go to Savannah for Colonial Georgia...Macon for Antebellum and Victorian Georgia...and Atlanta for Modern Georgia. Easy road trip, I-16 from Savannah to Macon and I-75 from Macon to Atlanta or vice versa.

[@manxkin]

Listen to those cicadas!

[@johnlabus7359]

I love Savannah! Thanks for reminding me why I like it so much.

[@jonathant3694]

A little late to this, but 62 miles south a Savannah is Darien. Ga. It was the most southern outpost for the British. It was garrisoned by a Scottish highlanders recruited by Olgethorpe. It's a nice coastal southern town with a lot of Scottish influences and history.

[@keithgiles1233]

I love my hometown!

[@Patriwoo1]

Love your videos so, Thanks for posting and sharing your adventures!

[@chaddnewman2699]

I was stationed at Fort Stewart, about 45 minutes from Savannah 25 years ago. I spent a lot of weekends wandering around that beautiful city. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@msnisar2227]

Wow love this tour you’re doing, I’m adding all this to my Deep South tour list.

[@cdoyle801]

Savannah is one of my favorite places. I like it better than Charleston because all of the squares with live oak. Looking forward to your next episode.

[@TheExigentex]

I kno' where to go now to feel like I'm still in Britain ❤frm tha' 🇬🇧 Xxx.

[@1CathyHendrix]

Loved this video! One of my favorites that you have done. What a beautiful place. I have not been to Savannah yet but have been nearby when passing through. I am bumping it up to my next vacation. I want to go to Bonaventure Cemetary, see the historic places and homes, and eat at a place called The Lady and Sons. Thanks for taking us along. Please tell Teka hello! Loved her dress in the video! She looked awesome in it! Like it was made just for her! Hope ya'll are having a great week and God bless!

[@mrs.g.9816]

Beautiful houses - The "gingerbread" was well taken care of for such a long time. The bed and breakfast you stayed at was magnificent! If it weren't for the cars, I'd feel like I've just been time traveling.

[@paulbagby2803]

Forsyth Park is where the Savannah Shmarocks RFC played, when I played for them, in the late 90’s to 2004

[@abbysmith2971]

Oysters in the sidewalk, etc. , remember Savannah is a port city on the Atlantic ocean. Shells are often used in areas like this instead of stones.😃 You walked by Clary's toward the end. It used to be a drugstore, now more of a diner. Anyway, Clary's became kind of famous after the book, & following movie, "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" which was based on the true story of an antiques dealer's murder trial for the shooting of Danny ? idr his last name. Williams, the antiques dealer, lived in the "Mercer House" built in 1868, it's now called The Mercer Williams House. There are a few places in Savannah famous for that book/movie. Other movies too, but that was based in Savannah, not just filmed there. I love "travelling with you" in my home state because it's interesting to see how others view the things I know. Plus I still learn things I may not have known.. I've been travelling with y'all for a few years & love it! I've learned so much. Thank you & Teka for sharing with us. 🥰

[@fjkelley4774]

Much of the movie "Glory" was filmed in Savannah and the low country. Even the soldiers marching through Boston was filmed on River Street (well, another side of the street had to be fabricated for that).

[@mariejustme]

I’m so happy to finally see more from one of my favorite places. I live three hours west of Savannah so it’s an easy distance for me to get there. I was glad you walked the squares-especially Forsyth. One day you should head back our way again, in the spring or fall, when you can actually breathe! Cannot wait to see your ghost tour and I hope you visited the cemetary. It’s full of amazing headstones and lots of history. 🤟🏼

[@pamsam8933]

What city do you live in? Cordele? I am about 2 hours S.W. of Savannah in Hazlehurst. ❤

[@jamesleyda365]

Damn i love America!!!🇺🇲🤘 and really wanna visit Savannah..... I wish i could go there and Scotland🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 i dig Scotland too!🤙🏴‍☠️

[@Jovimk]

Amazing looking breakfast at the B&B!

[@empooress]

I'm watching this a month after, but very good video. I live in Atlanra and saw your excellent video. Y'all move around a lot, .

[@rhondaw]

Savannah is one of my favorite places in the world!

[@kimnapier8387]

I love your videos Shaun 💕😍. Your roots,as a Scotsman, speak to me. My dad was a Scots American and he was very much so! Your accent is brilliant 😻. Thank you to you and your wife, for many blessings 💓

[@The_Crucible714]

Although she was several generations US born I still remember my grandmother using terms like “torch” (for flashlight) and pronouncing “H” the European way; “haych.” My maternal line is Scottish and Scots-German and the town in PA she’s from had many Scottish & Irish settlers. To this day their “accent” still reflects their heritage.

[@kimnapier8387]

@@The_Crucible714 That is very cool 😎. My mom was of German descent, so I have the German roots,as well. Life is so interesting 😁 when we consider our lineage. Thank you for responding to my comment 😊

[@csluau5913]

There are many beautiful bed-and-breakfast houses in Savannah. We stayed a few blocks away in the Kehoe house when we visited a number of years ago. All of the squares and fountains and trees and the history and the fact that it was the first completely planned town in America plus when I lived in England vine years ago I actually got to visit the house where James Oglethorpe grew up and many years later in the house that he retired in until he passed away. Isn’t it funny how history becomes a loop. Depending on your perspective.

[@jeffhampton2767]

That is a really beautiful area of Savannah Georgia and the people look so nice and clean and better quality❤

[@The_Crucible714]

“Better quality?” What is your point of reference, “better” than what?

[@1Akai1]

Been there its such a nice park. The problem with using shells is when it rains the shells give off oil. Makes it slippery. They used them in roads too. So if your driveing its like driving on black ice when it rains.

[@suebecker2893]

Savannah is so beautiful!. FYI Shawn seemed to enjoy the noisy insects. St. Louis area expects cicadas to surface soon. They will around a month or

[@SherriLyle80s]

They have a Girl Scout museum in Savannah where the Girl scouts were started. If you are interested, I don't know if it's too late and you already have left.

[@LindaC616]

I think he's a year behind posting these

[@SugarWildflower-si4ox]

I love Savannah I went the first part of May so much cooler..I stayed on Tybee Island on the ocean…went to the city to explore in part of the day. The riverfront was a large tourist area. The new bridge was a beautiful sight to see. I would love to go back someday and stay in a B&B. It is a very old southern city..intact..did not suffer damage during the civil war. The heads of the city went out to greet Sherman’s Army…no resistance ..Sherman did not do any damage to the city out of respect. He spent Christmas there many people making him welcome. It is a jewel of the south. Charleston was destroyed intense fighting took place there as a Confederate strong hold. Happy you got to see Savannah it goes back to Pirate days in history.

[@Rain-Peters]

Pretty house. Looks like it was hot.

[@crob635]

Oyster shells and shells are used in concrete paths as fillers. I have them in my concrete side walk at home. Oysters are up and down the Georgia coast in the rivers, salt creeks marsh. Georgia coast also has the best tasting oysters. 👌 they are just not commercialized. Many people from here know where the local oysters are or grow their own oyster bank like my family does.

[@bonnieikamas1201]

Thank you!❤

[@JIMBEARRI]

All up and down the US East Coast [possibly the Gulf Coast as well] it was common to use oyster and clam shells as paving material. Here in New England, it's still common to see the parking areas at "clam shacks" covered in crushed shells.

[@LindaC616]

Looking forward to the ghost tour video! Oglethoroe must have had some Spanish influence....all of those squares. ... very Spanish/Italian

[@roberthampton2820]

The original site of Savannah was actually mapped out and planned by Oglethorpe. The squares were to provide to functions as well as beauty. First as markets and also as rallying points for the militia when attacked. The best season in Savannah is Spring when the azaleas are in bloom. Those big bunches of shrubbery become mounds of white or lavender! I grew up in Savannah

[@jeanniewofford8726]

I love Savanah!! Love the live oaks with moss hanging from them!! Check out the angel oak; my favorite tree!! Haven't been there for 10+ years but it's beautiful when the azaleas and dogwoods are blooming!! You're amazing! Love watching you two!

[@itzakpoelzig330]

When do they bloom?

[@rethamoore4282]

​@@itzakpoelzig330Azaleas and dogwoods bloom in early spring after the frost is gone. Usually around Easter time or a few weeks before.😊

[@creinicke1000]

There are walking tours in Boston.. and if You're lucky to get a really good guide.. I wonder what you'd think about all the sites (places) and sights (things to see) in Boston that you can easily walk to.

[@LindaC616]

Tons to do there; the downtown/tourist area of Boston is extremely centric and walkable. And a ducks tour is fun, too, as you'd get the views from the river

[@clemdane]

Damn, why did I watch this on an empty stomach?

[@AvonR]

Dang, you missed a Scottish pub that relocated about 4 years ago called Molly Macpherson's. It was on the main street, had a huge supply of great scotch, and even some Scottish locals who frequented it.

[@paulbagby2803]

Oglethorpe laid those square so perfectly, they’ve used lasers to measure them and they were spot on. BTW some square have Spanish Moss some don’t, supposedly the squares without moss are where public hangings occurred

[@theylied1776]

I don't know if you covered the infamous (in the garden of Good and evil) novel.

[@richardhigel5612]

Tip toward Charleston. Little bit bigger and more to do. Great eats and history in both… both very hot and humid in Summer.

[@jeremiah_12]

Check out Jones St, I felt like I went back a century or two in time. It’s very different from ATL.

[@ScottieRC]

8:12, Savannah, but by a small margin.

[@urejit6109]

Savannah is VERY Irish and Scottish. I am a Gordon and a Kinzie (modified from MacKenzie) Tabby concrete (the oyster shells) has been used forever by the indigenous ppl and then the Spanish, The main reason to use it is it ressists weathering and erosion. Also, most downtown homes are in their original state, of course having been renovated.

[@cibelederezendemachado3963]

❤❤❤❤

[@margaretdees9478]

The live oaks of southeasterm Georgia were the reason the English wanted it as a colony . The branches and trunks built the British navy, something they needed to fight the French and that England did not havebin terms of timber.

[@jpaulrice]

What was the name of the accommodations you stayed at in Key West? I could not find that in the comments. Sorry I missed it. I live in Daytona Beach and might very well. Like to take a short vacation there.

[@buddystewart2020]

Yes, there is some deep dark history in the South, and in Europe, and Asia, and Africa, and South America...pretty much all over the world.

[@user-wr9ej6xe4j]

For sure. It's always blown out of proportion in America, as if the same things didnt happen all over the world. Some people just like playing the victim for their entire lives though. Even though any color American still has it better than most of the world

[@jacky3580]

I saw a lot of Spanish moss in Tallahassee. I don’t know what type of trees.

[@reindeer7752]

The same trees.

[@rvail136]

Georgia was originally settled by scottish veterans who were to act a a buffer to Spanish Florida. I the 1840s and 50s there was a huge influx of Irish immigrants...which is why St Paddy's day is ahuge holiday here today.

[@Maguib0le]

I'm so surprised that the floor instead of the ceiling on the porch of the b&b is painted Haint Blue. Normally the ceiling is painted blue to protect the house from ghosts and spiders

[@LindaC616]

I see you found your squirrels! 😅 Babies chasing each other?

[@pamsam8933]

When were you in Savannah? I live a couple of hours away.❤

[@AubreyNeeley-s8y]

Don't let those Charleston snobs hear you say you prefer Savannah. That will drive them crazy.

[@paulforbes1217]

Driving Charlestonians crazy is a noble pastime for Savannahnians.

[@yugioht42]

Florida was fortunate that we were admitted to the union around the tail end of slavery. Though we were a slave state in name only but there are no historical records of slaves that were here at least from what we know. That was because of our main crop was not cotton as we and foremost grew citrus specifically oranges which were not as labor intensive. Oranges were in high demand and still are. Slaves weren’t needed and we usually hired people to do the picking or we did it ourselves. Orlando was the center of the citrus trade until the big freeze of the winter of 1894-95. That killed the fruit first then a second freeze killed every citrus tree in the area leaving maybe 3% of the original trees left. That freeze really made a lot of livelihoods crumble to nothing and people lost everything. They left and never returned. Those who stayed were rewarded with a bumper crop the next year but it was tough for them. Many of those people have their names immortalized in streets named for them like bumby and lee and curry. These families have descendants that still are around today.

[@sactyb]

Savannah is a pretty cool spot to visit..was there for a couple days in 2014

[@NicoleWilliams-pk9jr]

Calhoun is an ancestor of mine, he was also one of the best statesmen to have ever graced the halls of American government. He did not believe anything that was not commonly held as truth by 99% of Americans, north or south.

[@JasonMistretta-wf5ip]

I have a VERY random question, Shaun. I am part of KZbin Premium. I pay for no ads. Does that hurt your revenue? Do you get a share of that money? I think KZbin Premium may be killing your personal revenue.

[@Gigi_Unapologetic]

Fun fact! South Carolina actually grows more peaches than Georgia 🍑

[@trojanette8345]

Hiya, Shaun. Glad to see you back in America. Haven't been able to watch many of your episodes because, of my work schedules. Don't know how long your plan on being here..... If you get a chance you might want to carve out some time to go up to, North Carolina and visit the 18th century colonial home of (Scottish) Governor Tryon's Home: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmSTZnuiqbqhjqssi=0K7su3vQ3BS5N715 . I haven't personally been there but I DO know of the place from others that have visited there. Have heard nothing but good things about the mansion tour experience. You and Tecca be well and enjoy your stay here in, America.

[@jeffhampton2767]

Show me one country that does not have deep and dark history. Every country had slaves and every country had Wars. A lot of blood was shed around the entire world😢

[@PungiFungi]

And guess which one abolished it less than 200 years after its inception?

[@HiSummerWasHere]

Yeah that story about the man killing his daughters in the house on Abercorn isn’t true. Until recently that house had sat empty for 20 or 30 years and was dilapidated and some tour guide made that up at some point. I have more bad news for you…Oglethorpe was a progressive and a prison reformer. He had a utopian society in mind. He set up the colony with rules against alcohol, slavery, lawyers (he believed that lawyers interfered in men resolving their own issues), or Catholics (because Anglicanism). Many of the first settlers had had their debts paid Oglethorpe so they could be released from debtors’ prison and worked for the colony on an indenture for a number of years before they would be allowed full citizenship, but the colony’s trustees doled out land on a specific, very planned and regimented system. A group of Scots came to the colony unassisted and immediately started complaining about the rules, because they could see how successful Charleston was with its allowing alcohol and slavery (and lawyers lol), therefore they came to be known as “the malcontents.” They opposed the trustees’ restricting them from buying all the land, spirits and slaves they could afford. Many of them left the colony for Charleston or for a new town south of Savannah settled by highlanders from Inverness called Darien, or to return to Britain.

[@jeffhampton2767]

These cities were not built by slaves. Blacks right from Africa were not construction workers, they absolutely did not know how to build Colonial and Victorian architecture. They may have been used to shovel dirt or carry some things but they definitely did not build those buildings. These buildings and houses were built by Americans with European ancestry. Talented Craftsman and Carpenters, experienced Tradesmen .😂

[@LindaC616]

Could freedmen not study a trade? Such as carpentry? 🤔

[@pamsam8933]

@@LindaC616 I would think freed men could and did study the trades.

[@modestohornets]

Around 1860 in the slave states 3.22% of the population of 12+ million owned slaves. So out of the 15 slave states there were 393k slave owners - out of population of over 12 million. And as a point of interest, here are the names of the top 5 slave owners who were black, 4 of whom were women: 1. Marie Therese Metoyer, Louisiana 2. Marianne Celeste Dragon, Louisiana (one of the most powerful women in the history of Creole New Orleans) 3. Ana Gallum, Florida 4. Richard Edward Dereef, S Carolina 5. Aspasia Cruvellier Mirault, Georgia (her mother & sister were also slave owners)

[@TimSmith-uc4pk]

The Moss is bad for trees and plants.

[@reindeer7752]

Not really. The trees they grow on are hundreds of years old.

[@thecozone4271]

I just have to say that if you’re spending your time just going up and down the coastal areas you’re not seeing real America at all

[@shaunvlog]

Good. I’m happy seeing what I’m seeing. If it’s not America, where is it?

[@thecozone4271]

@@shaunvlog West of Chicago and east of California

[@LindaC616]

​@@thecozone4271Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, MidAtlantic states have entered the chat...

[@thecozone4271]

@@LindaC616 I’ll narrow it down even more….west of Kansas and east of California

[@LindaC616]

@thecozone4271 yeah, there's some sort of agenda beyond the flyover states here

[@JoelAdams-j9x]

I'm glad you liked our odd little city