Presentation Recap: 

Discovering Savannah’s Sporting Past with Dr. Robin B. Williams

At our latest gathering, we were treated to a fascinating journey through Savannah’s rich, unexpected sports history, led by Dr. Robin B. Williams, professor and chair of Architectural History at SCAD. A native of Toronto, Dr. Williams earned his Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Pennsylvania and has been a leading scholar in Savannah’s urban and architectural evolution since joining SCAD in 1993.

Dr. Williams shared insights from his ongoing research that intertwines sport, culture, and the built environment. Kicking things off with a surprise to many, he showed images of cricket being played in Savannah’s squares as early as 1743. Just 50 years later, the Savannah Golf Club was established on the East Common in 1794—one of several clubs claiming to be the oldest in the U.S.

He took us through the legacy of the Ten Broeck Race Track, opened in 1859, which not only housed a Jockey Club but also was the site of "The Weeping Time," the largest slave auction in Georgia history. He noted how the layout of Thunderbolt was shaped by these historical developments.

The audience was captivated by long-forgotten sports such as six-day pedestrian races (held in small arenas like the one at Jefferson & Broughton Streets), parlor roller skating in the 1880s Masonic Temple, and the short-lived velocipede craze of 1868–69, which saw Savannah open three rinks dedicated to cycling. The city would later build the first cement velodrome track in the U.S. at Skidaway & Victory in 1893.

Savannah’s auto racing history also stood out, with the city hosting the U.S.'s first Grand Prix under international rules in 1908, attracting drivers and manufacturers from across the globe. Equally impressive was the city's rich baseball legacy—13 professional teams have called Savannah home since the 1800s. Notables like Shoeless Joe Jackson, Lou Gehrig, and Babe Ruth all played here, and Savannah’s team was the first to have an African American manager.

Dr. Williams touched on the growth of Savannah’s sports scene today—from the Savannah Ghost Pirates hockey franchise (which hosted the 2024 ECHL All-Star Game) to the Savannah Clovers FC and the upcoming Savannah Women’s Basketball team launching in 2026.

For those wanting to dive deeper into Savannah’s hidden urban and sporting history, Dr. Williams invites you to subscribe to his YouTube channel, Urban Traces:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdLTTckADSovP0HkfdLtAYg