Savannah Rogues: Rascals and Heroes

Savannah, Georgia is a charming and historic city steeped in Old World charm, an intriguing history and an intriguing history of rogues, rascals, and heroes. Savannah is known for its historic districts, quaint cobblestone streets, and an infamous underground activity involving gambling, liquor, and cigars. From a thriving port city to a hub of citywide crime, Savannah has seen it all. This article explores the fascinating history of Savannah rogues and provides an interactive historic cigar crawl for you to experience for yourself.

Who Were the Savannah Rogues?

From its founding as a medieval trading port to its prominence as a prominent harbor of the early American colonies, Savannah has been a hub of controversy, adventure, and plenty of shady activity. Through the years, Savannah has attracted its share of rogues, rascals and outcasts with plenty of stories of their exploits. The most notorious figure among the rogues was the wealthy gambler Henry Jackson Jones. Born in the Low Country in 1841, Jones made his fortune during the Civil War as a blockade runner, smuggling goods in and out of the port. He went on to become one of the most famous gamblers in Georgia, often indulging in high stakes games at local inns and saloons. His lavish lifestyle kept him in constant trouble with both the law and the local citizens, who accused him of operating a secret gambling house. Although he was never convicted, Jones attracted plenty of attention from the police. He had a reputation for bribing officers in order to avoid arrest and was known to put up large cash bounties for anyone who could bring him evidence of a crime he had committed. This behavior brought him into contact with some of the most notorious criminals of his time, including the infamous Benjamin “Spider” Collins. Collins ran one of Savannah’s most notorious gangs and was known as the “King of Rogues” due to his influence in the seedy underworld of illicit gambling and smuggling.

What was Life Like For Savannah Rogues?

The life of a Savannah rogue was not an easy one. They were constantly on the lam from law enforcement, often relying on their own ingenuity to stay one step ahead of the law. They were also constantly looking for ways to make money and often resorted to crime in order to survive. Many were smugglers or gamblers who were looking for ways to make money off the people of Savannah or from unsuspecting travelers passing through town. The rogues often frequented places like saloons, gambling dens, houses of ill repute and even some legitimate businesses such as hotels, restaurants and Bay Street stores. They lived in hidden areas of town, such as Catfish Creek, which is said to have been a haven for smugglers and gamblers. The Savannah rogues were also well acquainted with danger. Many risked their lives every day in their dangerous occupations, such as blockade running or rum-running. To protect themselves, they were known to carry firearms as well as using their wits to outsmart those who wanted to capture or kill them.

What’s the Best Way to Experience Savannah Rogues?

If you’re looking for a unique way to experience Savannah’s thrilling history of rogues, one of the best ways is by taking part in an historic cigar crawl. The historic cigar crawl takes you on an interactive journey through the city’s back alleys, hidden haunts, and infamous establishments frequented by Savannah’s rogues over the years. You’ll experience firsthand what it was like for gamblers, smugglers, bootleggers and other scoundrels during times of high-stakes gambling and other illegal activities. Along the way, you’ll be enriching yourself with information about Savannah’s fascinating past while also enjoying a cigar tasting at various locations throughout your journey. During the crawl, you’ll visit several cigar-focused establishments to sample different brands and blends as well as an exclusive travel kit designed by The Cigar Factory in Savannah’s Historic District that includes two hand-selected cigars and various smoking accessories. If you want to enhance your experience even more, why not book a Historic Cigar Crawl? This 90-minute walking tour provides all the elements for a fun-filled evening journey through some of Savannah’s most famous streets and thoroughfares as well as learning about some of its celebrated characters from the past such as Henry Jackson Jones and his cohorts known as “The Catfish Gang”. You’ll also learn about the cigar industry in Savannah throughout history and why it has remained an important part of this city’s culture to this day. Whether you’re an aficionado or just curious about this fascinating history, this tour is sure to be an enriching experience that you won’t soon forget! So pack a suitcase with your finest smoking attire and join us for an extraordinary journey through downtown Savannah, following in the footsteps of some legendary rogues from years gone by!