What’s Doing in Savannah
Crossing the Savannah River by Ferry
Among Savannah’s many historic homes are the Mercer-Williams House and the Olde Pink House. The Mercer-Williams House is the main setting of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and is reputed to be haunted by the spirits of those who were murdered or died mysteriously in the house. The home was built for Civil War General Hugh W. Mercer, who was tried for the murder of two army deserters. Jim Williams was accused of shooting his lover in the study of the house. To this day, many people, including the staff working inside the house, claim to have seen the ghost of Jim Williams walking throughout the house.
The Olde Pink House, said to be haunted as well, is home to some of the finest dining in the city. Many women have claimed that while in the ladies’ restroom, they felt extremely uncomfortable and felt a supernatural presence. The historic Sorrel Weed House, completed around 1840, offers visitors an unforgettable ghost tour. Many historical figures have been entertained in the house, including General Robert E. Lee.
Some other historic homes in the city include the Owens-Thomas House, which was built in 1819. A ghostly figure of a man was once reported in the house when the upper floors were used as apartments. The house now serves as a museum and it has been reported that the staff has heard footsteps and strange noises throughout the premises. The Davenport House is another historic home that is said to be haunted. It was once reported that a ghostly figure moved ten feet from the house and disappeared down the sidewalk. This house is currently operated as a historic house museum.
Savannah’s City Hall
Other homes of interest include Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace the Green-Meldrim House, the William Scarborough House, and the Wormsloe plantation of Noble Jones.
WHERE TO STAY
Savannah offers inns and hotels to suit all tastes and budgets, most providing a very Southern experience.
The President’s Quarters on East President Street offers visitors the opportunity to stay in a setting evocative of an elegant private home. The expansive and individually-decorated rooms – all named after presidents – are elegant and very comfortable. The innkeeper hosts a wine-and-cheese reception each evening, and the chef cooks up a fresh complimentary breakfast each morning.
The charming and new Cotton Sail Hotel, which opened in May in a renovated cotton warehouse, features small, modern rooms, many with views of the Savannah River. The rooftop bar is a pleasant place to unwind in the evening.
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