According to this story from WSAV,  “Mystery Letters Found Inside Trolley Car“,  some personal letter were found in a rail car in the process of restoration.

The video shows some quick footage from the RoundHouse Railrod Musuem, a great place for kids and families visiting Savannah. It also explains that the letters were postmarked in 1950, yet the trolley was phased out in the 1940s.

There’s a search underway for anyone who might be connected to the mysterious letters.

Need a place to stay while visiting Savannah, check out this 2 bedroom/2.5 townhome, or 3 bedroom/3 bath rowhouse. Both are walking distance from downtown Savannah and the RoundHouse Railroad Museum.

Il Pasticio, The Lady & Sons, Savannah Bistro, Vic’s on the River…all are wonderful restaurants. But I wouldn’t risk taking junior there, especially if he were in the throws of terrible twos.

Savannah visitors with young children may want to try a few of these more kid-friendly restaurants. Not only will they have a high-chair handy, but if your tike sucumbs to a crying fit, no one will turn up their nose. They are also reasonably priced.

- Juarez, 420 E.  Broughton Street – It’s a wonderful, inexpensive Mexican restaurant that serves Chicken Fingers and French Fries (pollitos y papas). It’s a nice sized place, and no one seems to mind when your kid throws a little rice on the floor. If you need a distraction, there’s some colorful murals on the wall that are a great way to point out primary colors (they are also masterful pieces of artwork, painted by SCAD students)

- Clary’s, 4430 Habersham Street - A nice feature of this breakfast/lunch restaurant is a little play area for kids. Coloring books, toys, miniature table with tea and coffee pots sit in the front of the restaurant. So, you can enjoy an incredibly delightful short stack of blueberry pancakes while the kids entertain themselves. (Clary’s on Habersham is a few miles from the famous Clary’s on Abercorn Street. To get there, you need to head out of the Historic District toward the Southside of town).

- Screamin’ Mimis, 513 E Oglethorpe Ave - A bunch of NJ folks opened this great pizza place a few years ago, and they have a lot of tolerance for kids. There’s a blackboard or two where the kids can write on, and it’s so informal, just about anything goes. Screamin’ Mimis also delivers.

- Mellow Mushroom, 11 W Liberty St - This pizza chain is pretty kid-friendly too, and a staple for SCAD students.  The pizza is good, albeit quite different than the NJ/NY-influenced  Screamin Mimis.

Savannah

Fourth of July on the River
July 4
Phone: 912.234.0295
Admission: Free and open to the public
Location: Historic River Street

Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on the plaza with live entertainment, ice cream eating contests and more. Bring your radios tuned into KIX 96.5 as the fabulous fireworks will be choreographed to music simulcast on KIX. Fireworks will begin around 9:20 p.m.

July 4th Fireworks Cruise
July 4
8:30pm to 10:30pm
Location: 9 East River Street
Visit the website or call 912.232.6404

Savannah Swings! at the Lucas Theatre
July 4 – 4
Phone: 912.525.5050
Admission: 25 – adults, $10 – children
Location: Lucas Theatre, 32 Abercorn Street

The Lucas Theatre continues this great annual tradition with patriotic, swingin’ music, a New Orleans-style procession and reserved seats on River Street.

First, enjoy a big-bang concert in the air-conditioned Lucas Theatre with “Jeremy Davis and the Fabulous Equinox Jazz Orchestra” with singers Clay Johnson, Adam Jones, Trae Gurley and Huxsie Scott and Special Guest Kim Polote.

Then, follow the band, New Orleans-procession style from the front of the Lucas down the Abercorn ramp down to River Street. There, you will find reserved seats for fireworks viewing right on the river.

First Saturday on the River
July 4 – 4
Phone: 912.234.0295
Admission: Free and open to the public
Location: Historic River Street

Arts and crafts, entertainment and fun for the entire family on Historic River Street.

FourthFest at Battlefield Memorial Park, the Roundhouse Railroad Museum and Savannah History Museum in downtown Savannah
10 AM-6 PM Sat. July 4

Battlefield marches, musket and cannon firing demos, archaeology games, train rides, blacksmithing demos,  children’s activities and a chance to drive a hand car.
$13 adults, $4 children 6 and younger. (this includes admission to all the museums above)
912.651.6823
Email jxamis@chsgeorgia.org

Tybee Island

Event: Fireworks at The Pier
Date: July 3rd
Location:  Tybee’s pier and pavilion
More information: http://tybeevisit.com/

Event: Celebrating America at Fort Pulaski
Date: July 4 – July 5
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location:  Fort Pulaski
More information: www.nps.gov/fopu/

Richmond Hill

Event: July 4 Celebration at Ft. McAllister
Date: July 4
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Fort McAllister Road
More information: Visit website

Statesboro

Event: Independence Day T.E.A. Party
Date: July 4
Time: 4pm to 6pm
Location: Mill Creek Elementary (Across from Mill Creek Park)
More information: www.bullochtea.com

Rincon

Event: 4th of July Parade and Festival
Date: July 4
Time: 10am to 2pm
Location: Rincon
More information: www.cityofrincon.com

Hilton Head Island

Event: 24th Annual Hilton Head Firecracker 5000
Date: July 4
Time: 8am to 9am
Location:  Mall at Shelter Cove
More information: http://www.bearfootsports.com

Event: HarbourFest 2009 July 4th Celebration
Date: July 4
Time: 6pm to 10pm
Location: Shelter Cove Harbour
More information: http://www.palmettodunes.com

Bluffton

Event: Annual 4th of July parade
Date: July 4

Beaufort

Event: Beaufort’s Tea Party
Date: July 4
Time: 12pm to 2pm
Location: Bay Street at Bladen Street, downtown Beaufort
More information: www.beaufortteaparty.webs.com

And, for a little trivia about July Fourth from FarmersAlmanac.com:

Old Glory
Did you know, that there have been 28 versions of the U.S flag to date, and that the most recent one, designed after Alaska and Hawaii joined the union, was the result of a school project

Robert Heft was 17 when he came up with the flag design in 1958. He originally got a B- on the project, but when his pattern won the national competition to become the next flag, his teacher raised his grade to an A.

Need a place to stay? Heritage House and Gaston Street Getaway offer special rates in July.

This event, sponsored by Savannah College of Art and Design, is a great family activity for anyone visiting Savannah, whether you are on a budget or not.

For several hours, students let their imaginations run wild and draw chalk pictures on the sidewalks of Forsyth Park in Savannah’s Historic District.  Over the years, we’ve seen intricate renditions of dragons, sunsets, Savannah scenery, exotic fish and many more themes.

There is a competition for current SCAD students, alumni and prospective students. And, there’s also a faculty and student art exhibition, which is also a real treat.

Admission is free, and it’s open to the public. There’s also music, food kiosks and other entertainment for the kids.

But, what I like about it most is that it shows kids (particularly younger ones) that they don’t need video games or computers or even play dates for entertainment. They can sit down on the sidewalk with a couple pieces of colored chalk and draw whatever is on their mind.

That’s a great lesson to learn, even if it’s just one day a year.

For more information, visit the Sidewalk Arts Festival site.

Traveling on a budget to Savannah? Try saving money by staying in a Historic Savannah Vacation Rental.