Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Savannah Museums
Savannah has a number of great museums and I will introduce a few for you to consider visiting while you are in our historic city and I hope you will agree that your visit was worthy of your time. Enjoy!
OWENS-THOMAS HOME: This historic home as designed by William Jay in 1816. Jay was a famed architect of the day. He was from Bath, England and the Owens home is thought of as the finest example of English Regency residential architecture in North America. The house contains many furnishings from the original family. A formal walking garden is located at the rear of the house. Located at 124 Abercorn Street on Oglethrope Square.
MASSIE SCHOOL: The only remaining original building of Georgia's oldest charted school system. The Greek Revival structure is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The building was designed and built by architect John Norris in 1855. If you want to visit the building just ring the bell. Located at 207 East Gordon Street.
HISTORIC RAILROAD SHOPS: Opened by the Central of Georgia Railroad in the 1830s , this early-day outdoor museum is open daily. On display are locomotives and rolling stock and an operating turntable and the oldest portable steam engine in America. Visit their website at http://www.chsgeorgia.org/roundhouse/home.htm because they are constantly adding more interest items to their collection. Located at 601 West Harris Street in the Historic District.
SAVANNAH HISTORY MUSEUM: The museum is inn the old Central of Georgia Railroad's passenger terminal. Exhibits include an 1840 cotton gin, one of Johnny Mercer's Oscars, the famed bench from the movie Forrest Gump, and the Juliette Gordon Low family's carriage. Located at 303 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Haunted City - Part II
The Waving Girl on River Street is a very famous statue of the girl who waved a cloth or towel from the land as a helpful signal to boats coming into the city. The statue depicts here waving with a large dog sitting next to her. Many times the stone cloth has been seen waving as if in the wind. There are stories that the statue is haunted by a ghost boy who broke little children and animal necks. It is said he was hung near the river. On calm, autumn, under a full moon you can see him walking looking for victims.
The Old Pink House Restaurant and Tavern- This historic and popular tavern is said to be haunted by its builder, General Habersham. He often appears in the basement, which is now the tavern. There are reports that he sometimes has been known to walk among the guests in the upstairs dining dressed in his full general uniform.
The Telfair Museum is haunted by its former owner. She is said to roam the housekeeping people from doing what they shouldn't do. If you smoke a cigarette in the house or sit on the wrong chair, you can hear her footsteps coming at you on the marble floors.
Several ghosts are believed to haunt this old cemetery (Bonaventure Cemetery, including the ghost of a small girl named Gracie Watkins who is buried there. At times she cries in the night, and the life sized statue of her cries tears of blood if you take something out of its hands. People who visit the cemetery often place presents in her hands such as trinkets or flowers. There is also a pack of ghost dogs that haunt the grounds and you can hear them barking and breathing.
It is reported that at Fort Pulaski late at night it is known to have strange noises, such as a gun firing, people dying and a little girl crying.
The Juliette Low Birthplace – two former owners haunt this house: Sarah Gordon and her daughter-in-law Nellie Kinzie Gordon, who was the mother of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. Nellie is said to rearrange furniture, play the piano, and slide down the banister after the museum closed down for the night. Visitors to the house often see Sarah, wearing an old-fashioned dress.
Kehoe House Bed & Breakfast – It is reported to be haunted by the spirits of children. A “Lady in Gray” who haunts not only the B&B in general, but particularly room #203. People who have stayed in this room have felt their hands being gently touched and have felt kisses upon their cheeks. She is a friendly spirit.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Savannah - The Haunted City - Part I
Savannah is rated as one of the most haunted cities in North America so it stands to reason that a fair proportion of the hotels and visitor sites in Savannah are similarly afflicted. So, if you are heading to the city for a stay, before you check-in, check-out whether you've opted for one of the most frequently haunted hotels and site that offer a free unwanted extra guest or a sudden unexpected visitor..
The Marshal House is one of the oldest hotels in Savannah was built in 1851, and is a prime candidate for ghostly encounters; the Marshall is featured on the city's ghost tour and has a interesting history, being at various times a hospital - once for yellow fever - and also a Union soldiers' clinic during the Civil War. After human bones were unearthed during excavations at the hotel in 1960 guests have frequently reported strange encounters, with many reporting that they have awoken feeling as though someone is taking their pulse. Ghosts of long-dead soldiers and patients have also been seen wandering the hallways and standing in the foyer.
Built in 1852, only a year later than Marshall House, the eerie East Bay Inn backs onto the Savannah River and is home to Charley; the hotel's 'official' ghost. This apparition is a regular visitor to the Inn and in 2001 Charley was finally snapped on film by a guest; the evidence now on display behind check-in. If you plan to stay there just ask to see the picture when you arrive, so you'll be able to identify him later if he appears in your room!
The Eliza Thompson House pre-dated both of the previously mentioned hotels, its construction completed in 1847. Once a private house it is now a 25-room Inn, spread over two major buildings. Both guests and visitors have reported seeing Confederate soldiers at an upstairs window and a young girl in a white dress regularly walks the hallway.
The Olde Harbour Inn is frequently filled with the smell of cigar smoke even when no smokers are present, courtesy of Hank, the Inn's resident ghost. Holder of the 'most-often sighted ghost in Savannah', Hank also likes to indulge in a spot of coin throwing and frequently likes to move things around, such as books and other small items.
Savannah - Kehoe House Bed & Breakfast - Said to be haunted by the spirits of children. Also, by a "Lady in Gray" who haunts not only the bed & breakfast in general, but particularly room #203. People who have stayed in this room have felt their hands being gently touched and have felt kisses upon their cheeks. All have agreed that she seems to be a very friendly spirit.
The 1790 Inn and Tavern - This Inn was built in 1790 and is haunted by a girl named Anna who depending on who you asked will tell you an interesting tale of this seventeen year old girl. What she was shunned after getting pregnant by a sailor? Who jumped out of the third story window and died? Stop by this delightful Inn for refreshment and dine in their wonderful and historic tavern and ask about Anne!
The Hampton Lillibridge House - This is said to be the most haunted house in Savannah, and the only house known to have had an exorcism. When the house was being restored in the 1960s, some workmen refused to finish the job because of strange occurrences (tools disappearing, hearing footsteps when they knew they were alone, strange feelings). On one occasion, a man was seen wearing a black suit and bow tie in the third floor window when no one was living in the house. Neighbors have also heard a woman's scream coming from within the house, and a gray haired man has also been sighted.
Savannah - The Juliette Low Birthplace - two former owners haunt this house: Sarah Gordon and her daughter-in-law Nellie Kinzie Gordon, who was the mother of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouting. Nellie is said to rearrange furniture, play the piano, and slide down the banister after the museum closes down for the night. Visitors to the place often see Sarah, wearing an old-fashioned dress.
There are more than 10 “Ghost Tours” offered in the city and I am told that they are a lot of fun and the guides will give you the “real story”.
My next article will introduce other haunted spots such as the Fort Pulaski…late at night it is known to echo strange noises, such as people screaming, gun firing and a small girl crying.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Squares of Savannah
In this short narrative, I will just write about a some of our 24 squares and in future articles I will provide information on all of them.
Oglethorpe planned on constructing 24 squares that would be used for planting crops, holding meetings and other activities but only the squares along Bull Street were originally meant by Oglethorpe to feature the grand monuments. The rest of the squares were laid out as open commons for the people to use as parks and activities I mentioned above.
The Orleans Square was named for Andrew Jackson's victory in the Battle of New Orleans in 1814. Just to the west of the square is the Savannah Civic Center. To the east, you can view the Champion House at 230 Barnard Street. The Cupola features amber glass. Yew trees are planted in the front year.
To the south, you will arrive at Pulaski Square located on Barnard Street between Harris and Charlton Streets and was laid out in 1837. This square was named for Count Casimir Pulaski, historic Savannah's adopted foreign son who was the highest ranking foreign officer to die in the American Revolution. Additional monuments to Pulaski can be found throughout the historic district. The red brick Jewish Education Alliance building on the East side of the square is now a dormitory for the Savannah College of Art and Design. The house on the Northwest corner of Barnard and Harris is new housing, completed in 1993. The house across from it is the 1839 house of Francis Bartow, a Confederate hero. It is now several apartments. The square was once landscaped as rows of azaleas in diagonals representing the St. Andrew's Cross of the Confederate flat..the Stars and Bars. Sgt. Pulaski was a hero of the Revolutionary War.
The next square south on Barnard Street is Chatham Square, named for England's William Pitt and the Earl of Chatham. The Barnard Street School, now part of the Savannah College of Art and Design has a Terra Cotta roof. The tile was made in Ludowici, Georgia. Gordon Row dominates the southeast corner of the square and you are now at the edge of the Victorian District with the Republican Blues Homes on the right, a dignified old row built of Savannah Gray bricks.
Take your camera and take some photos of these wonderful and historic squares.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Famous Forts near Savannah

From the beginning
The flat, coastal plain on which
At the entrance a Civil War era cannon greets the guests, a fitting welcome for the centerpiece of this state park is the fort. Inside the visitors’ center is a small museum, gift shop, and a 17 minute video about the naval and land attacks on the fort. Pay a small admission and you are welcome to walk to the fort, a short hike along a broad, flat plain that was probably constructed as a road.
Along the side of this road, the remains of the CSS
The fort is surrounded by pickets, foreboding pieces of pointed wood leaning out at an angle. Follow the path around to the entrance and you are walking along a parapet with the river on one side and formidable cannon on the other. The path has informative signs along the way, with information about both the sea and land battles and life in the fort.
At the center of the fort is a bombproof, a sand and mud covered living quarters for the troops. Deep within the mound were the barracks for the men stationed at the low-tech fort. You may enter the mound and walk through, an exceptionally interesting part of the tour. Unlike its neighbor,
In addition to the museum, fort, and the hike involved in visiting the fort, there is a 3.1 mile trail through a typical low-land marsh. The culmination of this trek is a viewing tower over a small creek that runs near the park. If you are intending to hike this trail, bring repellant. There is a nature trail in the campground. A fishing pier offers excellent opportunities to watch the abundant wildlife and to fish if you desire.
Lodging
The park is a combination historic site/camping area, containing 65 campsites with water and electricity. There is an on-site dump station.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Interesting Stops - Near Historic Savannah
SKIDAWAY INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY. Located 10 miles southeast of Savannah on Skidaway Island, you can visit the Aquarium exhibit of marine life found in Georgia waters, tours of institute which is conducting studies on area sea creatures and their potential uses. The Aquarium is open to the public. Call 912-598-2300 for more information.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. Located just across the Savannah River on SC Highway 170, the entrance to this intriguing to-be-driven tour is just past the Houlihan Bridge in Pt. Wentworth, GA. Get your camera ready because you will see alligators half-asleep in the waterways, eagles tending their young in the trees and an amazing variety of birds who rest and shelter in this, their federal safe-haven. The drive-through is free. Take a picnic lunch and just enjoy the raw beauty of this refuge. Please do NOT feed the alligators.
HISTORIC SAVANNAH-OGEECHEE BARGE CANAL. One of the prime relics in the history of Southern canals. Beginning at the tidal lock on the Savannah River, the waterway continues through four lift locks as it traverses 16.5 miles before reaching another tidal lock at the Ogeechee River. Along the way, the canal passed through Savannah's 19th century industrial corridor, former rice fields, timber tracts and a lush tidal swamp. Local citizens in the 1990s began to restore and interpret the waterway and turn it into a park. Most of the effort is centered at the Ogeechee River terminus, where a small museum and nature center is open to the public near Lock 5. For more information contact Nature Center at 912-748-8068. The Center is located off GA 204 a short distance west of I-95. Open daily from 9AM to 5PM.
For more information on Historic Savannah, please go to The Savannah Traveler On-Line