An 1830 map of Whitehall Plantation shows a sandy road gently curving through a grove of live oak trees, leading to a lodge overlooking the Savannah River. Much has changed since then.

The plantation is now part of the Georgia Port Authority’s Garden City Terminal, a high-tech, high-volume facility marked by swirling truck traffic and towering powerful cranes. But some reminders still stand.

A dozen or so live oaks remain from that grove. Most of them are more than 200 years old. One dates back to 1649 or so. Its trunk diameter is roughly 7.5 feet and its canopy diameter some 146 feet. Many of its branches curve gracefully and stretch almost to the ground.

In 2019, I was more focused on covering events and documenting each milestone that the Georgia Ports Authority reached as they unfolded throughout the year. Needless to say, it’s been a busy year and commerce doesn’t wait for a photographer’s desire to shoot in beautiful light. We have to make the best of every situation and stay flexible. The team at GPA’s communications office challenge my creativity every year. It is a welcomed challenge, but several times in 2019, I just got lucky with good weather and good light. Here are some the milestones that I shot in 2019.

This year, we’ll look at chapters in local and port and nautical history featuring a broad range of stories and subjects. Starting with this one, there will be 75 posts in all, 75 ways to celebrate the Georgia Port Authority’s Diamond Anniversary

The Georiga Ports Authority is partnering with Savannah Technical College and the Propeller Club - Port of Savannah to support a new scholarship. GPA Manager of Governmental Affairs Lee Beckmann presented a check with Propeller Club President Trey Thompson to Savannah Tech Vice President of Student Affairs Pete Hoffman at t a recent Propeller Club meeting.