Lens On History

Lens On History

Lens On History replaced History By GPS. Welcome to Lens On History with JD Byous, where you'll experience the world of historical exploration through your camera lens. I'll be your guide to uncovering the rich tapestry of history woven into the fabric of Savannah, Georgia, and the history-rich Lowcountry of the American Southeast. Join me on this journey as we take a photo tour of fascinating stories, landmarks, and hidden gems that make this region a treasure trove of historical significance. Each week, we'll visit and photograph historical sites and find the best ways to record them and the people who live there. No matter what camera equipment you have or your experience level, we'll have fun finding the best angles for your lens while we talk about the history behind the subjects we find. We'll compare today's landscape to famous photographs from history. We'll also look at things to do in Savannah and the surrounding area, including nature photography in historical areas.

Episodes

April 16, 2023 45 mins

Hey, Everyone!

Today I’m going to tell you about a rather fashionable weapon of war…

I have a story about the Confederate Air Corps… and their airships made from silk dresses… Or so the legend goes.

It is a tragic and twisted story from the beginning all the way to the very sad end. These balloons seemed to be tinged by a curse.     

It was back in 1862 in a pre-dawn light when Savannah gas plant supervisor James Smedberg braced himsel...

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Hey, everyone!

Did you hear that?

Somebody said, “The Yankees are coming!”

Actually, we hear that all the time here in Savannah, Georgia.

Today it would mean they were coming down for a few days of vacation… But back in 1864, it didn’t mean they were stopping in town to catch dinner at Sweet Potatoes Kitchen and buy a couple of tee shirts down on River Street.

It would have been a little more distressing when those words were spoken aro...

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Hey, everyone.

We’ve got a great story for this episode.

Today we’re going to talk about two historical events that were separated by 100 yards but were a decade apart in history.

They also tie in geographically with two other historical events that took place on the same GPS location that we are looking at today.

Those are in different episodes.

Well, back in 1765, things were getting hot here in Savannah, Georgia. And we’re not talkin...

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32.079849° -81.091614°

Hey, everyone!

Is this a great day for a podcast, or what?

No storms… no bad weather… at least not for me where I am.

Sorry if you are. You know the old saying… If you don’t like the weather stick around… It’ll change.

So stick around I’m going to tell you a story about a bad day… weather wise

See, in Savannah and South Georgia, ba...

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One Duel. One Died. One Didn’t.

32.077938° -81.082580°


Hey, everyone!

What a great day for a podcast!

Do we have a great country or what?

Yes… our country has problems… all countries have problems.

But at the time of the forming of our nation durin...

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32.042645° -81.046146° Other coordinates are at the end of the notes.

Hey, everyone!

Okay… okay… A while back, I heard a story of a famous person doing something that I would never do. I doubt that any of you would either, but, hey, what do I know. Anyway…

I ask myself this question…

Why would a young man… an

Why would a young man… an intelligent and educated young man… hike 700 miles, walk into a strange cemetery where he had never be...

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Georgia’s First Partier — George Symes

Hey, everyone!

What a great day for a podcast!

I don’t know if you know, but Savannah, Georgia, where this podcast… is based… is known for being a bit of a party town.

If you’ve never been here, ...

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32.079459° -81.083386°

Hey, Everyone     

What a fantastic day for a podcast.

Sometimes I have favorite stories about history.

In this one….. I start out by saying…

Boston Tea party, Boston shmee party.

Because here in Savannah, Georgia, in 1775, Andrew Elton Wells led a group of Liberty Boys, and they had a sweeter party…

...

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Pirate bootie sacked

32.081384° -81.089784°

Hey, everyone!

Another fine day for a podcast.

And it is a fine day… because today we’re going to talk about pirates.

And I’m not talkin’ the AAAARRRGGG, me hearty kind of pirates.

Okay, you ask, where did it happen?

So, you wanna kn...

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January 23, 2023 2 mins

Here's a bit of what we have in store for you at History By GPS.

Season one has a debut date of February 14th, 2023…

...don’t you just love it?...

In that season, we’ll focus on the history in and around Savannah, Georgia, USA… There is a lot of history here.

Then, occasionally we’ll venture out to other areas across America, and sometimes we’ll tell the connections of those events to the Hostess City of the South to i...

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