Savannah - Days Four and Five

This morning it was rainy and icky - the only day of our trip that wasn't just about perfect weather. Our first stop was the Owens-Thomas House.  It was designed by young English architect William Jay, and had indoor plumbing before the White House.  The walls of this house are about a foot thick and made of concrete.  Not the concrete that we use today though.  The house is very symmetrical and has several false doors.  This house was my least favorite house - I just didn't like it.  It just felt cold.

Three years after it was built the owner went bankrupt.  For the next eight years it housed an elegant lodging house.  Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette was a guest of the city in 1825 and stayed at the home. On March 19, he is believed to have addressed a throng of enthusiastic Savannahians from the unusual cast-iron veranda on the south facade.

Back view of the home.  The third floor had a huge covered porch and the second owner closed it in to make additional bedrooms. It is very easy to see the difference in the structural design.

Andrew Low House: This house combines Grecian details with elements of an Italian Villa. It boasts one of Savannah's most stunning ironwork balconies.  This house was built for Andrew Low, a wealthy cotton factor, who traveled here from Scotland when he was 16 years old.  His first job was at his uncle's cotton firm and worked his way up to director of operations.  He is said to be the richest man in town when the house was built in 1849.  

His grandson married Juliette Gordon Low. This is said to be Juliette's favorite place to ever live. It was by far my most favorite house that we toured. It was just beautifully decorated and I enjoyed all the period antiques.

Christ Church Episcopal: The first church in the colony of Georgia in 1733.  John Wesley preached here from 1736-37 and established the first protestant Sunday school for children in the new world.  He also published the first English hymnal for the colonies.

Telfair Family Mansion/Museum - Built in 1819 for Alexander Telfair, son of Revolutionary War patriot and Georgia governor Edward Telfair, by William Jay.  In 1875, Alexander's sister, the last surviving heir, bequeathed the house and it's furnishings to the Georgia Historical Society to be opened as a museum.  The house was remodeled a bit and opened to the public in 1886.