I knew I would love Savannah long before we ever arrived. Mostly, it was the pictures I found on Pinterest that got me so excited about visiting the city. The South is full of nice towns, but Savannah is in a class of its own. They have done such a great job of resorting the historic homes and buildings, and not just one here and one there. I'm talking about whole city blocks, one right after the other, perfectly preserved.
During our stay, we only took one home tour (no photos were allowed inside of the home), and that satisfied me just fine. The exterior of the homes were stunning, so I didn't see a need to pay extra money to step inside and look at furniture that may or may not be original to the home. We did, however, get to step into some historic homes that have been transformed into B&Bs and have a look around their living and dining areas. And that was free! Here's my collection of photos I took while strolling through Savannah, walking her streets.
{Sunday, November 9}
The East Bay Inn || In 1852, construction on the building that would one day become the East Bay Inn began. The once cotton warehouse was renovated and opened up as a Bed and Breakfast in 1984.
We very much enjoyed our stay at the Inn. I developed a love affair with bricks and stones around Savannah, and no doubt, it started in our guest room. The brick wall was my favorite. But the staff was also very welcoming and always helpful too.
Other Favorites From This Day
{Monday, November 10}
The 1996 Olympic Yachting Cauldron || Olympic yachting events were held on the Savannah River as parts of the Atlanta Summer Olympics and this cauldron was lit with the original flame from Olympia,Greece. Brad ran with the Olympic Flame as it passed through Mississippi that year. He had a part, and now he's famous. Kind of. =)
105 East Oglethorpe Avenue || In April 1870, General Robert E. Lee visited here, the home of his fellow Confederate and friend General Joseph E. Johnson.
Chippewa Square || The Square was built around 1815. In 1910, a sculpture of Savannah's founder James Oglethorpe along with this lovely lion were placed in the center of the Square. In more modern news, this Square was home to the "box of chocolates" scene in Forret Gump. The bench was later removed and placed in the Savannah History Museum.
Eliza Thompson House || The first home built on Jones Street in Historic Downtown Savannah back in 1847. The home was originally built for Eliza and Joseph Thompson and their seven children, but was converted into a Bed and Breakfast back in 1977. And look, they offer their guests complimentary sherry in the evenings. =)
The Armstrong House || Built in 1919, and once owned by Jim Williams as an antique shop. Once again, you must read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Forsyth Park || Savannah's first recreational park named for former Georgia Governor John Forsyth was laid out in 1840. The famous fountain was added in 1858. Do you see the rainbow in the picture above? Love it!
Other Favorites From This Day
River Street
River Street
{Tuesday, November 11}
Colonial Park Cemetery || During our Ghost Tour we were taken to this cemetery and told a storiy that I'll never forget. This cemetery was home to many "common crypts" and numerous people were piled into graves when their families couldn't afford burial arrangements. This was happening at a time when many people were contracting yellow fever, resulting in many being buried alive because their heartbeats couldn't be detected.
They began tying a bell to their fingers before tossing them in the crypt, and a graveyard attendant would stand watch to listen for the sound of bells rings in an attempt to save anyone that might wake-up in the crypt. This is the origin of the sayings saved by the bell and working the graveyard shift. CREEPY.
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist || I don't know anything about catholic churches, but I know this one looks beautiful.
The Hamilton Turner Inn || This very beautiful home was the first to have electricity in Savannah. It is now a Bed and Breakfast.
The Mercer Williams House || This home was the only one that we toured, and while I very much enjoyed seeing things like the chandelier, complete with candlesticks, not light bulbs, I couldn't help but keep my eyes on the floor searching for bullet holes from the Williams-Hansford shooting incident, which was never mentioned during the tour, by the way.
Other Favorite That Day
That door knob was awesome.
{Wednesday, November 12}
The Gastonian || A very popular B&B, and also listed in the book 1000 Places To See Before You Die. They offer their guests coffee from silver. Coffee from SILVER, y'all!
Other Favorites From That Day
Those steps.
On our last night in Savannah, we took a carriage ride around the city, courtesy of Madison Tour Company. While it wasn't very informative, it was very nice. Thanks, Honey!
It's very possibly that I have over looked something or somewhere that we visited during our stay. But all of everything was perfect. Maybe in another ten years we can go back to visit. Please, please take your next trip to Savannah, Georgia. You won't regret it.
We picked up this book, Scampering Through Savannah, for our kids. It was fun getting home and reading it to them, and throwing in the occasional "me and your Dad went there."
But it was even more fun hugging their necks after five nights away from them!
More from our Ten Year Anniversary trip below:
