Four-Day Savannah Tour

Day 1 Savannah Maps, City Market, First African Baptist Church
Day 2, Part 1 Squares near Bay Street (Reynolds, Johnson, Wright)
Christ Church, City Hall, Old Chatham County Courthouse Owens-Thomas House exterior
Day 2, Part 2 Colonial Park Cemetery, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Squares: Lafayette, Madison, Scottish Rite Temple
Day 2, Part 3 Pedicabs, Forsyth Park Fountain, Mickve Israel Synagogue, Volunteer Guards Armory, Forest Gump bench location, River Street and cobble stone story
Day 3 Pink House Restaurant, Savannah College of Art and Design, Cotton Exchange, Washington Gift Canons, Mercer-Williams House, Monterey Square, 
Chippewa Square, Presbyterian Church
Day 4 Savannah River features, Owens-Thomas House,
Kehoe House, Davenport House, Oaks in Warren Square

Day 4 in Savannah
 Savannah River features, Owens-Thomas House,
Kehoe House, Davenport House, Massive Oaks in Warren Square
April 24, 2012

Posted June 15, 2012,  ©2012 Herbert E. Lindberg

On Day 4 Mary and I walked back to River Street and the Savannah River to absorb more of their flavor and take a few pictures along the river.  Then we headed to the Owens-Thomas House to take the tour which was unavailable on Sunday, and continue on to nearby Historic District sights.  Again, if you like, click here to open a copy of the Historic District map in a separate tab.

Paddlewheel docked in Savannah River next to River Street in the Historic Savannah.

 

Talmadge Memorial Bridge across the Savannah River near the Historic District.


World War II Memorial Sphere on River Street shoreline.


The Owens-Thomas House, at 124 Abercorn Street, was open for tours on this day, a Tuesday.


Our guide presented background to our group in the servant/carriage house (behind the camera) 
and then we followed him across the courtyard to the house (in front of Mary).


A nice view of the courtyard and servant/carriage house is afforded from the rear porch of the house.


Rear view of the house.


Zoomed into the rear entry porch.  Again, no photography was allowed inside the house.  Inside, the damp air and concrete gave a feeling of a very old, cold house.  The most notable feature I remember is that rainwater was collected in massive concrete tanks on the upper floor.  Water was distributed by pipes and the natural head provided by the elevated tanks.

Front of the Owens-Thomas house.


Plaque and material sample explain the construction under the stucco, also seen here on each side of the display.


Duplex buildings nearby.  Many such buildings were made to order for people with money.


Sign introduces the Kehoe House below.  123 Habersham Street


Close view of side porches.


More general view taken angled toward the front of the house.


Front of house, with porches on the left.

Explanation for Davenport House in next photo.


Davenport House, 324 East State Street near Columbia Square.
This house marked the beginning (mid 50's) of Savannah's historic preservation movement.

You may have noticed that many of the historic houses in this brief photo story of Savannah (also in Charleston) have twin curved stairways, one on each side of the porch.  The explanation given by guides is that women had long dresses which they had to pull up in order to climb the steps.  Men walking behind them would have too good a view, so men and women had separate stairs. 

 

Massive live oak trees in Warren Square, typical of trees in all the squares.

 

Composite of three photos, to capture the enormous height and span of the trees.

   

Four-Day Savannah Tour

Day 1 Savannah Maps, City Market, First African Baptist Church
Day 2, Part 1 Squares near Bay Street (Reynolds, Johnson, Wright)
Christ Church, City Hall, Old Chatham County Courthouse Owens-Thomas House exterior
Day 2, Part 2 Colonial Park Cemetery, Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Squares: Lafayette, Madison, Scottish Rite Temple
Day 2, Part 3 Pedicabs, Forsyth Park Fountain, Mickve Israel Synagogue, Volunteer Guards Armory, Forest Gump bench location, River Street and cobble stone story
Day 3 Pink House Restaurant, Savannah College of Art and Design, Cotton Exchange, Washington Gift Canons, Mercer-Williams House, Monterey Square, 
Chippewa Square, Presbyterian Church
Day 4 Savannah River features, Owens-Thomas House,
Kehoe House, Davenport House, Oaks in Warren Square

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