Rock 'n Savannah, Pt. 5

Feeling a little more recovered on Sunday morning from the race, I took some time in the morning to wander around and just shoot off the cuff. This is my favorite thing to do, wandering without any agenda, noticing and capturing images along the way. First, there was breakfast at 700 Drayton (it's always about the food!) before checking out of the Mansion on Forsyth Hotel.



I figured I'd better be somewhat healthy on at least one meal of the day, so I ordered a smoothie...



and some steel cut oatmeal. It was tasty, even if it wasn't as exciting as pancakes and bacon!



On my impromptu photo tour of Savannah, first up was Forsyth Park, where I shot a few panoramas of the fountain and the main promenade.





The fountain statuary seems more appropriate in black and white.



Just up the block from Forsyth Park is Monterey Square, the location of the infamous Mercer House, where antiques dealer Jim Williams (played by Kevin Spacey in "Midnight in Garden of Good & Evil") shot his young assistant in self defense. It took 4 trials to reach that verdict.





A panorama view of the front:



and the carriage house in back, which is now the tour entrance and gift shop. Rest assured, Disneyland isn't the only place that pushes the merchandise.



SCAD's Pepe Hall, which is a difficult one to shoot with all of the utility wires right in front of it. I had to do a little creative panoramic shooting to get this one.



I had read about the Hampton Lillibridge house recently; supposedly it is one of the most haunted homes in Savannah. As the story goes, a sailor hanged himself in one of the bedrooms. Jim Williams (of Mercer House fame) bought the home in 1963 when it was located four blocks away from its current location. After he and his restoration crew experienced a number of paranormal occurences, Williams asked an Episcopal Bishop to perform an exorcism. Williams claimed that an empty crypt had been found on the lot.



There was a For Sale sign when I was there; only $2.4 million. Anyone interested? The current owners have had no ghostly experiences, and have become somewhat frustrated with the barrage of tours that claim otherwise. Maybe the spirits have found a new home. And yes, I might have pushed the processing just a bit much in order to achieve a spooky look.



All of this walking and shooting helped to do a number of my appetite, so we settled on The Public, a new favorite that I had discovered on my last trip in June.



Again, I attempted to make a somewhat healthy choice with lunch; whether it was or wasn't, I thoroughly enjoyed the pasta and andouille sausage. Just the right amount of spice!



After lunch, it was back to "work," as I continued to zoom in on cool little architectural details that I happily discovered along my walk.





Savannah is a huge hub for St. Patrick's Day festivities, so the headquarters that I stumbled upon came as no surprise.



The Harper Fowlkes house in Orleans Square is a beauty; I love the decayed (yet maintained) look of traditional southern decadence.



The birds were nesting on the weather vane.



The corner detail on the roof reminds me of the spine of an alien creature. I love stuff like this!



The Chatham Academy on Bull Street might not garner much notice, but if you are a few blocks away...



you can see what the wonderful sculptural relief at the top of the building.



I have no idea if the weathered look on this Bull Street building is real or faux; either way, I love it.



The Volunteer Guards Armory is quite an imposing structure, now repurposed by SCAD as an administrative building and gallery shop.



Wonderful wrought iron detailing.



This beautiful ghostly remnant of an advertisement for Taylor's Art Stores will hopefully last for a long time.



Chippewa Square is best known as the square that "Forrest Gump" (Tom Hanks) sat on a bench telling his life story.



A bronze statue of James Edward Oglethorpe stands at the center of the park.



Four lions guard the statue from below.



The Independent Presbyterian Church shows what a difference lighting can make when taking photos. Here it is at 4 different times of day.









The Lutheran Church on Wright Square was just letting out for Sunday service when I approached.



The minister and parishioners were very welcoming, allowing me to come in take photos as they cleared out for after services luncheon in the hall below. The statue of Jesus was also very welcoming.



Beautiful stained glass along each side of the church.



Two panoramas of the interior:





And that should do it for today.

See more Daveland Savannah photos on my Savannah web pages.

Splendid Decay

When asked why I love the city of Savannah so much, I find it difficult to put into words just exactly what it is that draws me back so often. I just booked yet another trip there and can't wait to see this historic city which beckons me to visit over and over again.



Artist Preston Russell put the feeling into words so very well:

When I drove down that first Savannah street in 1972, I saw something very moving—arresting. Old things, things that don't tend to dwell elsewhere in America. Old ways, old traditions. Tradition, someone said long ago, is the living faith of dead people. One can feel it here, even on a visit. After a few years, you know it. Old buildings, many dropping in splendid decay, like elderly folks who become more beautiful with the patina of survival. These old structures even seem to endow their occupants with an aura, as if an ordinary person walking down a Savannah street seems more real—even extraordinary—compared to that same person walking around the ubiquitous American strip mall.



Splendid decay. I love it. There is something about a historic building before it has been "restored." The moss, the cracks, the peeling paint...everything it has accumulated over the years adds to its character and heightens the story. For me, once a fresh coat of paint is slapped on, it begins to lose the wisdom and charm of its journey.



In his book, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," author John Berendt described it this way:



The city looked inward, sealed off from the noises and distractions of the world at large. It grew inward, too, and in such a way that its people flourished like hothouse plants tended by an indulgent gardener. The ordinary became extraordinary. Eccentrics thrived. Evvery nuance and quirk of personality achieved greater brilliance in that lush enclousre than would have been possible anywhere else on earth.







In anticipation of my arrival, a toast to dear Savannah...



because if it's good enough for Rembrandt...



it's good enough for me. Can't wait to see you again and feel your inspiration.

See more Savannah, Georgia photos on my Savannah web pages.