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Savannah: What makes this old Spanish Moss-adorned city mesmerizing? Is it stories of
pirates, ghosts and haunting? We wanted to try and paint a portrait of historic Savannah
beyond the haunting, legend and lore, viewing the city as it is, today.
Savannah was Georgia's first city, founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe. His
plans created what is currently the largest national historic district in the U.S. This waterfront
district is renovated to include shops, restaurants, hotels, taverns, promenades, trolley and
horse drawn tours; it bustles with activity during the day and well into the night on
weekends. On Halloween weekend, people dressed in various costumes take over the
sidewalks as they move from club to bar to party.
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Historic Squares
Spread throughout the historic
district of Savannah are what's
known as "historic squares" -
tree-decorated parks that may
have fountains, statues, gazebos
etc within them. Many of the
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nicest squares (there are 22 of them by our count) are spaced up and down Bull Street with
huge Spanish Moss covered trees creating a breathtaking canopy. They are jewels
dispersed amidst the old, historic buildings that is Savannah's bustling historic district.
Many of these parks are memorials that honor important people, and who could ever forget
the famous park bench scene from Forrest Gump that was filmed at Chippewa Square.
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The Historic District
Savannah's historic district is also home to
incredible architecture, such as Federal,
Italianate, Regency, Gothic Revival,
Romanesque Revival, Greek Revival, Second
Empire French, and of course, Georgian. A
whopping 40% of Savannah's buildings are
historically significant, having about every
example of 18th and 19th century styles
preserved.
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SCAD Film Festival
The Savannah Film Festival, hosted by the Savannah College of Art & Design, also runs
in October (in 2011, it was during Halloween weekend) and is in it's 14th year. It's an
incredibly fun time with special screenings, receptions and talks with major film actors. Buy
a pass and get into all the events. And between films, walk to Leopold's ice cream and
have a cone of their peppermint!
Cotton Warehouses
Another must-see is the warehouse section along river street. Old cotton warehouses
aligned against a cobblestone street are full of taverns and shops, today. You'll see cargo
and cruise ships heading out to sea on the Savannah River; and you can even tour an old
sailing ship for free.
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Legend of Savannah Ghosts & Haunting
Savannah is certainly full of stories about ghosts
and haunting, and many people consider it to be
the most haunted city in the Unites States. We
asked the question, "Why is that?" While
exploring Savannah, we received several
answers to our question. Some say the water
running underneath the old city is why there is so
much ghostly energy. Some locals will tell you
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that ballast stones, brought to the city by sailing ships, line the walls and streets, creating a
great carrier of spirit energy. Others will speak of tragedies such as tales of pirates, Yellow
Fever epidemics, the British invasion of Savannah, and General Sherman's famed "march
to the sea." We think there may have been a general neglect of the city's dead. As the town
grew, it seems the whole city (now the historic district) was built upon it's dead. We saw
gravestones as part of the sidewalk, many grave markers placed against walls due to not
knowing where they go, and mausoleums sort of dissected by fence (indicating the
graveyard had once been much larger). The beautiful squares seem to also have been the
sites of tragedy, such as courthouse hangings, and even mass deaths (Madison Square is
said to be home to 800 bodies killed during a British invasion). People still report seeing
ghosts there.
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What about sites that are haunted in Savannah? There are
too many to list. However, we will attempt to list a few.
Foley House is now said to be a haunted bed and
breakfast that was once a boarding house, home to many
a fine gent. Mrs. Foley had a suitor that she wasn't
interested in (nor was her caretaker who loved her). A body
was found in a wall, and many suspect it was the suitor who
had mysteriously disappeared. People, today, still report
smelling cigar smoke in the home that borders Chippewa
Square. (Pictured at right, Colonial Park Cemetery.)
The Marshall House, one of Savannah's finest, restored
hotels, is said to have been the site of a hidden room that
was discovered. Inside the room, so we were told, was a
ghastly site of limbs...bones now. The Marshall House, you
see, had been used as a hospital during the Civil War.
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There are many stores and restaurants that are reputedly haunted in Savannah's historic
district. Pictures on the walls of the Planter's Inn are said to be adjusted if moved by
guests. The Kehoe House is said to be home to apparitions. At the Pink House, people
often report being sat to their tables by a many dressed in Colonial attire. This man is
James Habersham who originally owned the house. Sometimes, people say he will playful
lock women in the bathrooms (there are no locks on the door).
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The 1790 (pictured at right) is home to a mischievous ghost many
believe to be Anna. Once residing there as a wife purchased, she later
jumped to her death from the window of room 204. People who stay
there have had their underwear stolen, only to find it adorning a
Christmas tree during holiday season, or have had their objects moved.
Miley Cyrus has a ghost story she can tell from staying there. Apparently
her boots were moved, and wet hand prints were left on them as
evidence. Miley stayed in room 204 while in the area filming a movie
back in 2009. (See the 17 Hundred 90 Ghost Pictures )
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The Owen Thomas House is said to be haunted, as it was a former slave quarters. The Lucas Theater, now
owned by SCAD, is also said to be haunted. The playground beside Colonial Park Cemetery (pictured at top) is
known to be haunted by a boy who plays there. And, of course, the Monterrey House from the book, Midnight in
the Garden of Good and Evil, is also said to be haunted. Antiques dealer, Jim Williams, had a lover found dead in
his study. Nine years later, Jim was fund dead in the same place, shot to death in the same room. A Hollywood
movie was made about this tragedy several years ago. - LC
Also See:
Savannah Apparition Ghost Picture
Savannah Ghost Picture
Savannah Ghost Tours
Savannah Ghost Video |
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Historic Haunted Savannah Copyright 2011 Angels & Ghosts, LLC
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