The story
The City Exchange stood on Bay Street in Savannah from 1799 until its demolition in 1904. It replaced an earlier structure destroyed by fire in 1796. French architect and builder Adrian Boucher, who came from New York in 1797, designed it. It was about 75 feet wide along Bay Street and 50 feet deep toward the Savannah River.
The building served public and private interests until 1812, when the city bought it for use as city hall. The first floor held the mayor's office, council chambers and treasurer's office, and the second floor the city marshal's office. Sholl & Fay renovated it in 1854 and added a portico. In December 1864 Union General John W. Geary spoke in front of it after his troops captured Savannah.
It was demolished in 1904 and replaced by Savannah City Hall. Its bell, cast in 1802 in Amsterdam and hung in the tower from 1804, is now displayed in a replica tower erected in 1957 on East Bay Street.
What's There Now
Savannah City Hall replaced the Exchange on the site.
Everything that was here
- 1799–1904
Savannah City Exchangecommercial exchange
Savannah's City Exchange, home of city government for nearly a century, stood on Bay Street until 1904; its 1802 Amsterdam-cast bell still survives.
See the map in 1800 →
Did you know?
Connected places
Trustees' Garden and Fort Wayne Site
Savannah Customs House
Plant Riverside District
Talmadge Memorial Bridge (Current)
Port of Savannah / Georgia Ports Authority
Rousakis Riverfront Plaza
Explore the full web of connections on the map.
Nearby history
Factors Walk
Pulaski House Hotel
Moon River Brewing Company
Savannah Customs House
Rousakis Riverfront Plaza
River Street Sweets
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