A History of the Savannah District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Abstract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, born in 1775 during America's struggle for freedom, has been instrumental in the evolution of a strong and independent nation. Last year, Savannah District - one of the larger of 38 Corps districts worldwide - observed its 160th year of service to our country. As this history relates, the district's roots in the Savannah area can be traced to 1829 when Army Engineers, assigned to the Corps' "Savannah Station;' were involved in the construction of Fort Pulaski and the conduct of surveys in the Savannah River. Officially designated the "Savannah District" of the Corps in 1888, the District - with increasing workload and civilian manpower - has continued this dual mission of military construction and civil works development begun by those early Army Engineers. The Savannah District of the Army Corps of Engineers played a major role through the years in the development of water resources in the Savannah River Basin and Coastal Georgia. Among its larger projects have been harbor improvement work and the planning, design, and construction of the Hartwell, Richard B. Russell, and J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake projects on the upper Savannah River. Of primary importance, the history recalls Savannah District 's military support effort which, although noted in the early fortification work of Savannah's Army Engineers, began in 1940. As a design and construction agency, the district has designed and built military facilities, ranges and airfields, and provided other types of support, for some of the most important military installations in the Southeast - including Forts Bragg, Benning, Jackson, and Gordon, and Robins, Pope, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Bases. During World War II, the district was heavily involved with the construction of airfields and the development of installations such as Forts Stewart, Gordon and other posts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA637340
Entities
People
- Allen R. Gann
- Henry E. Barber