Urbana, Ohio

This is the sign you see welcoming you to Urbana, Ohio. The road ahead is Scioto Street, a main drag. Initially you'll see some businesses, then some fabulous older homes with great front porches, leaded glass windows, welcoming doors. I've often wanted to tour those beautiful old homes. Urbana, as you can see from the sign was founded way back in 1805, just 2 years after Ohio became a state. Urbana is county seat of Champagne County. Urbana was for a period of time the headquarters of The NorthWest Army in 1812. The city was named after a town in Virginia called Urbanna. It's also the burial location for famous Simon Kenton, The Indian Fighter.

I snapped this photo through glass and thus have a bit of a glare. This is an 1874 etching of the Courthouse which shows J.M. Fitzpatric and John H. Runyon as County Auditors, and F.F. Woods and A.T. McBeth as Commissioners at the time. These names are prevalent in early Urbana history.

My Uncle, who's long since gone built this log cabin and many others. Until a little over a year ago my Aunt still lived in this log cabin. There are a few of his log cabins still around. Near here is Urbana University which has the distinction of being the 2nd college in Ohio to admit Women into the classes with men. The University was founded by The Swedensorgian Church on land set aside by John James at teh urging of Swedenborgian John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed".

Urbana is a quaint little town with a rich history. This is my U post for the Z-A challenge.

**V post is HERE**

Savannah, Georgia

A cool damp mist fell as we made our way about Vintage Savannah, Georgia. Red brick and cobblestone streets and walkways add to the vintage feel of this beautiful old historic city. Oak Trees and Spanish Moss complete the picture. Park your car and walk, or ride of bike if you want activity.
If walking isn't your cup of tea, hop on on of the Trollies for a guided tour of the vintage area, or a horsedrawn carriage. There are many ways to tour this charming city. We opted for a map and did our own self guided tour. Since it was raining we did what we could outside and darted in when possible. This is just one of the many vintage police cars in front of the police station.
Stories and historical data indicates Savannah was presented to President Lincoln by General Sherman as a Christmas Present, and thus was spared from Sherman's March to the Sea. Because of this, the amount of historical buildings vintage buildings is great. Some are beautiful, some in need of paint, some in the middle of being restored. The city of Savannah was founded in 1733 by General Oglethorpe. It's considered to be the first planned city in America. General Oglethorpe landed on a bank of The Savanna River with 120 passengers of the good ship, "Anne". He named Georgia for King George, II. He designed the city on grids with 24 squares to serve as meeting places. Today 22 of the original squares are still in existence. The original charter forbid Rum, Lawyers, and Slaves.

You can start your tour at the Visitors Center located at 101 E. Bay Street. Feeries and other mass transportation connect Savannah to surrounding areas. Savannah is located in the Coastal Low Country of Georgia and attracts 7 million visitors annually.
There are many beautiful and historic churches,
and old interesting cemeteries to tour. This wall, dark and gloomy; was rather eery the day we were there. Many stones badly weathered, and not well cared for in the early days are unreadable. Add to that vandalism, broken stones, covered with dark slippery moss make some of the sites rather sad. This little walk way was located in dark back area of one of the cemeteries and is made up of pieces of gravestone cemented into a red brick wall. Sad, that the names of some buried here are forever lost to history. Some though are remarkable well preserved and tell us stories of these original families.

I highly recommend touring Savannah, and hope to go back again myself and spend more time to explore. I suggest this touring for adults, for families with older children. This is not an appropriate place for small children. Really nothing there for them to enjoy, or to understand. I also believe many would be frightened.

*Z-A Challenge, this is my V post, V for Vintage**
**U post is HERE