Savannah, Georgia | Eastern North Carolina Now

    In the beginning of The War Between the States (probably at various occasions in 1861), Forsythe Park was the reviewing grounds for the young men going off to fight great war for the South's independence. It was a war that was only to last a few months to a year at the worst before the South would be able to sue the North for peace and secession. On December 21, 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman offers the captured the port city of Savannah, and offered it to President Lincoln as an early Christmas present.

    Lincoln's reply, "Save the city." And to that end, the city was not put the torch as so many Southern cities were. Savannah was saved, and the renovated grandeur that survives to this day is not only a testament to the successes and good works of these formerly oppressed people, but a legacy, in brick and mortar, to formerly architecturally magnificent cities of the old South that did not survive that terrible war.

    These outstanding homes of Savannah, that I have had the opportunity to visit just a fraction of, are of many architectural styles that represent their respective eras of the good taste of artistic refinement. This refinement is so evident in this city; that the forbearing presence of the city’s “Southern Gothic” charm is prevalent charm for all who are receptive to its allure.

    That could be why so many stories have been written with Savannah as a backdrop, and some of those have been made into films. On such film is Clint Eastwood's "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." It is based on the true story of the rich and respected art dealer, Jim Williams, who was accused of murdering Danny Hansford - later determined to be William's gay lover. The house where the murder took place and much of the movie was filmed is the house Jim Williams purchased from the family of famed songwriter Johnny Mercer. The house is located on the western edge of one of the many parks in Savannah just off Bull Street.

    Below is a picture of the Williams / Mercer House and the horse drawn carriage tours (shown below the Williams / Mercer House), with guides that talk about this home, as well as the park square (bisected by Bull Street), where much of "Forest Gump" was filmed as shown below the tour guide picture.
Johnny Mercer House: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage
The Forest Gump Park just off Bull Street     photos by Stan Deatherage

    I intend to return to Savannah in the future, maybe on a trip to Hilton Head Island, and I intend to take more pictures, so we can continue this discussion of what's left and what's best in the Old South. I may even bring my tripod so I can present better twilight and night pictures. Until that time I will leave you with a couple of pictures of more of Savannah's beautiful homes and the park's foliage (read that as more magnificent live oaks that are indigenous to the South Carolina and Georgia lowlands). Until that moment in our lives: I pray that you have safe and happy travels.
Federal Architecture abounds along the quaint streets of Savannah, Georgia, with an occasional SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) building always Within a block or two: Above and below.     photos by Stan Deatherage


    This article is provided courtesy of our sister site: Better Travelers Now.