Savannah Day 1
Savannah, Georgia is a beautiful and historic city located on the eastern coast of the United States. This is a city that I’ve wanted to visit for many years and was not disappointed despite the rain. With more time, money and better weather, I could find myself spending a few week here learning more about the history.
One of the city's most popular attractions is Forsyth Park, a large public park located in the heart of Savana. The park features beautiful landscaped gardens, fountains, and walking paths, and is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to relax and enjoy the outdoors. I had expected to see the fountain in operation, but instead it had been decorated for the holiday season which gave it a different look than photos online.
Mercer House
Another popular destination in Savannah is the Mercer House, a beautiful and historic mansion located on Monterey Square. The house was built in the late 1800s by Irish immigrant and cotton broker Hugh Mercer, and is now a museum open to the public. The Mercer House is known for its elaborate architecture and interior design, and is considered one of the best examples of antebellum architecture in the city.
The house is probably even more famous for the 1981 shooting death of Danny Hansford by Jim Williams. A book by John Berendt, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil retells the story of the shooting. The book was followed by a movie which was shot at various locations in Savannah.
The tour was very short and was contained to the first floor. I was very disappointed that photos were not allowed any where on the tour. The gift shop had several books related to the Mercer House.
This Old House
I remembered watching a series of This Old House shows that was done in Savannah. I looked up the house and it was located to adjacent to the Mercer House. This was Mills and Marianne Fleming's Italianate Victorian row house on picturesque Monterey Square. I couln’t find any plaque indicating the renovation.
Jones Street
In addition to these landmarks, Savannah is also home to a number of charming historic houses on Jones Street, which is considered one of the most beautiful streets in the city and within walking distance of the Mercer House. The houses on Jones Street are known for their stunning Victorian-era architecture and are a popular spot for tourists to visit and take pictures.
Armstrong Kessler Mansion
The Armstrong Kessler Mansion, also known as the Green-Meldrim House, is a beautiful historic mansion located in Savannah, Georgia. The mansion was built in the 1850s and was originally owned by Charles Green, a wealthy cotton broker. The Armstrong Kessler Mansion is known for its elaborate Gothic Revival architecture and its beautiful gardens, which are open to the public (closed the day I visited).
I later learned that, beside its architectural design, the Armstrong Kessler Mansion is also notable for its role in the Civil Rights movement. It was used as a hospital during the Civil War and served as a temporary headquarters for General William Tecumseh Sherman during the Siege of Savannah. The mansion was also the site of a famous meeting between Sherman and Confederate General William J. Hardee, during which the terms of the city's surrender were negotiated.
Ott Street
Driving around looking for my next destination, I made a few wrong turns and found myself at the corner of Ott street. I’ve never seen a street named Ott anywhere.
In the middle of traffic, had to stop and take a photo and share with family. I could not find who the street was named after but there were many descriptions of the street in historical records online.
Coffee at Asher + Rye
After walking around neighborhoods and taking in the various architectural styles I looked for a coffee shop. Asher + Rye is a mix of home furnishings, design, and coffee / pastry shop. The coffee was excellent as was the chocolate coisssant. There was a mist in the air and I grabbed a seat outside. There were a group of men discussing a new book that one of them was writing about the bible and it seemed the origins of certain text. It was an interesting discussion.
The owner was replacing a propane tank on one of the outdoor heaters and was having problems getting it to start. After 10 minutes of watching him try to get it to start, I told him the valve was probably stuck and explained the safety mechanism. We reconnected the hose and it worked.
River Street
Late in the afternoon, I went downtown to River Street just to window shop. I wanted to buy a Savannah (SAV) sticker as a souvenir. Many places carried stickers and most where $3.99 but there was a minimum charge of $5 or $10 and I didn’t have cash. I kind of gave up and as I was headed back to my car, I saw a shop. The cashier told me it was $1 for the sticker. The car was close-by and I found a dollar.
I had never seen a liquified gas container ship. As I was walking one passed on the river. It was moving very slowly under its own power. The street is fun to walk and there are many restaurants, shops, and points of interest to make it enjoyable.
Washington’s Guns
Near the end of the evening I stumbled onto Washington's cannons, which are a set of historical cannons located in downtown. The cannons were used by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War and are now on display at Chippewa Square, near river street.
The cannons were originally used by Washington's army during the Siege of Yorktown, which was a pivotal battle in the Revolutionary War. After the war, the cannons were brought to Savannah and placed on display as a tribute to the city's role in the conflict.
I’ve allocated two days to visiting the city of Savannah which will give me a taste of the rich history and a wealth of cultural and architectural attractions present here. There is so much to see and explore in the city's beautiful parks, historic houses, or charming streets.