Historic District of Savannah

However, this area probably would not be available for us to view and enjoy if it had not been for a group of seven women who created the Historic Savannah Foundation for the sole purpose of saving historic structures from destruction. This group was called into action when the Old City Market on Ellis Square was demolished to make way for a parking garage. The ladies were too late to save the square, but not too late to save the Isiah Davenport house and many more structures after that.

What is now the historic district of Savannah was laid out in a perfect grid by its founder, James Oglethorpe. It is bordered by the Savannah River to the north and goes as far south as Gaston Street and Forsyth Park. It's east most border is aptly named East Street and the western border of this district is Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard. The district is packed with 24 scenic squares and more than 2300 historically important buildings, all of which can be explored on foot.





The cobblestone streets and Spanish moss hanging precariously from the enormous and abundant live oaks and sycamores lining the avenues adds to the mysterious feel of this city. If you are not accustomed to high humidity (70%), take your time, wear a hat and drink lots of water.

Though the whole district is worthy of exploring, there are certain attractions you should not miss:

Andrew Low House - 329 Avercorn St on Lafayette Square - this Italianate home was designed by John Norris and built in 1848-49. It eventually became the home to Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. The period furnishings in this house are excellent. Tour tickets are $8.

Colonial Park Cemetery - intersection of Oglethorpe and Abercorn Streets
This cemetery inters some famous national personalities such as Button Gwinnett, a signor of the Declaration of Independence, and General Nathanael Greene, a Revolutionary War hero.

City Market - just east of Franklin Square.
This small area of about two blocks contains a few restaurants, shops, and music.

Chippewa Square - Bull Street west of Colonial Park Cemetery - statue of James Oglethorpe. Also the temporary location of the now famous Forrest Gump bench.

Forsyth Park - 501 Whitaker Street - the walk around this park is about 1.5 miles and it includes views of a beautiful white fountain, the Georgia Historical society and many magnificient homes.

Owens-Thomas House - 124 Abercorn St. on Oglethorpe Sq
Designed by William Jay, this house has been expertly restored. The tour of the house lasts about an hour, but is an excellent example of the wealth and styles of the period. One parlor includes a unique ceiling, even by Savannah standards, that makes one feel they are sitting in a park under a beautiful Georgian sky. Tours are $10 and worth the price if you are interested in architecture and design.

Sorrel-Weed House 6 W. Harris St.
Designed by Charles Cluskey in 1841, this house is a great example of Greek Revival architecture. Though the restoration continues (at one time this house had been covered up by the Lady Jane Shop), enough has been completed to provide an interesting architectural and cultural tour throughout the house. The tour is worth the $10 ticket. Have the tour guide tell you about the ghosts.

Isiah Davenport House 324 E. State Street - this home was built by Isiah Davenport in the Federal style in the 1820s. This was the house, or its scheduled demolition, that created the push for preservation in Savannah's Historic Distric by the Savannah Historic Foundation.

Mercer-Williams House 429 Bull Street on Monterey Square - an Italianate home built for General Hugh Mercer around 1860. The home was made famous in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil as the home to Jim Williams. Tour tickets are $13.