Sapphire Room at The De Soto

This March 1955 image shows the Hotel De Soto in Savannah, Georgia. Opening in 1890, it was a stunner! From the Historic Hotels of America website:

Called “The DeSoto,” it opened with 300 magnificently equipped guestrooms, as well as a swimming pool, a solarium, a barber, and a soda shop. The hotel even had a lighted miniature golf course! Architect William G. Preston oversaw its design, which featured a wonderful blend of Richardson Romanesque and Queen Anne-style architecture. Regarded as the pinnacle of his work, Preston’s unique design for The DeSoto made it one of the area’s most recognizable landmarks. Soon enough, many throughout the city began to refer to the building as the “Dowager Empress of the South” and became the center of all social life in Savannah.…Many illustrious guests began to arrive at The DeSoto, too, including Hollywood superstars, renowned musical entertainers, and powerful political leaders. Names like Katherine Hepburn, Gregory Peck, B.B. King, and Elvis Presley soon became synonymous with The DeSoto for the people of Savannah. Even U.S. Presidents—such as William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson—stayed at the hotel at one point or another.



This detailed view shows a neon sign (if only the shot had been taken at night!!) for the Sapphire Room. Below is a vintage postcard showing the interior:



“A Southern Paradise.” Where do I get a ticket?



The type treatment on this vintage matchbook matches the neon sign:



I love how the matches are sapphire colored! Great coordination and attention to detail.



I also found this matchbook; a different logo for the nightclub, but not sure if it was earlier or later than the one previously shown. My guess would be earlier, as it looks a bit more Art Deco to me.



The hotel closed in 1965 and was completely remodeled. Here’s what they placed the original structure with.



Yuck. Apparently they salvaged pieces of terra cotta, some wrought iron details, a crystal chandelier, and a fountain featuring the head of a lion with water flowing out its mouth.



The lion looks sad. I don’t blame him. They should have the water flowing from his eyes.

See more Savannah, Georgia photos at my main website.

Vintage Savannah: Wright Square

For this vintage 1950’s image of Savannah, Georgia, the photographer was facing Wright Square, standing on Bull Street. In the background is the steeple of the Lutheran Church of the Ascension (as seen below in 2007):



…and 2013 (below). Built in 1843, the building was occupied by Union soldiers during the Civil War.



The building that was on the right of the photographer is U.S. Post Office and Court House, as seen in this 2009 shot below. It is now referred to as the Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Court House. Built between 1894 and 1899, it was enlarged in 1932.



I believe all of the businesses have changed since then. Let’s take a look at what was there:



Charles Hairdressers, Dr. M. Butler (Dentist), Ray Mixson Jewelers, Sports C_____ (billiards, sports results, and lunches!), and Photocraft.

See more Wright Square in Savannah photos at my main website.

Savannah: Then and Now

A few then and now shots for one of my favorite cities, Savannah Georgia. The first photo is from August 1966 and shows the historic Chatham County Courthouse on Wright Square. Built in 1889, the Architect was William G. Preston.

Uh oh...somebody’s getting a ticket! Who says the old days were all fun and games?



The building was used until the 1970s when a new courthouse was built. Today it is used for administrative and legislative offices. And can you believe with ALLLLLLLLLLL my trips to Savannah I apparently do not have one single shot of the entire building? Well, it’s true. You’ll have to settle for the clock tower; Doc Brown and Marty are probably around here somewhere.



One of my favorite Savannah restaurants is the Olde Pink House; in February 1964 it was known as the Georgian Tea Room:



Let’s get a better look at the signage:



And a contemporary shot; it looks more pink!




The Greek Revival style Philbrick-Eastman House was designed in 1844 by antebellum architect Charles B. Cluskey on Savannah’s Chippewa Square and was known as “the finest home in the city.” Extensively renovated in the 1950’s to create commercial office space, this August 1966 image shows it being inhabited by the The Atlantic Mutual Fire Insurance Company.





A closeup of one of the vintage cars parked nearby:



A 2015 rehabilitation project made way for this historic property to accommodate The Parker Companies corporate offices. Here’s a contemporary shot from 2013:



See more Savannah, Georgia photos at my main website.

Leopold's in Savannah

I finally made it back to that southern city that I love, Savannah, Georgia. One of my rituals is a daily trip to Leopold’s. If you’re not an ice cream fan, then this probably won’t make sense to you. Look at that line...it’s not for the opening of Star Wars Land, but rather to get into Leopold’s for a few scoops of that delectable dairy treat.



Here it is. This is what caused me to run six miles every day while on vacation.



The owner, Stratton Leopold, is also a producer, director and actor who has been in the film business for 40+ years. Some of the movies he’s been involved with include “Mission: Impossible III,” “The Sum of All Fears,” and “The Adventures of Baron Munchausen.” But back to ice cream. Here’s an interior shot of Leopold’s with a painting of the man who started it all, Stratton’s father Peter.



A jukebox plays vintage tunes, perfectly complementing the atmosphere inside this vibrant space which is mainly staffed by energetic SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) students.



For the first time, my Mom and I coordinated our almost annual visits to Savannah and after a delicious brunch, we stopped by Leopold’s for dessert. Both she and her friends agreed it was the best. Look at those smiles!



On my last visit to Leopold’s, I also enjoyed a tasty lunch…



which justified my double scoop of dessert. Or was it a triple. Oh how I miss it.



See more Savannah photos at my main website.

Savannah Mourns

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I write about the untimely passing of Scott Waldrup, who I met the first time I dined at the Grey Restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. From the minute he acknowledged me, I knew this guy was somebody special. He had a one-of-a-kind smile that showed his eternally positive attitude but also let you know that he would happily do something devilish at any moment.

Leaving work on the 4th of July he stumbled onto the scene of a car of gang members who were fleeing the police after a shooting spree. Pushing others out of safety, Scott was hit and killed. Completely senseless. Hailed as a hero, it would be a gross understatement to say that one of Savannah's favorites will be missed.

Click for Savannah online article about Scott's heroism.



On one trip to Savannah, Scott and I met for brunch at the Collins Quarter. He knew everybody; unfortunately, his favorite Barista was not there that day, as he normally created a penis design in Scott's beverage. Only for Scott. You just had to smile.



It was fantastic getting to know him and hearing his story, his travels, about his partner Tart, and experiencing his personality. While still young, he seemed wise beyond his years...yet still so able to be a Peter Pan and have his share of mischevous fun.



He was wearing his partner's jacket; of course, I had to manipulate Tart's name for him.



On my next visit to Savannah, I traveled there with my friends Shawn & Grant. Scott rolled out the red carpet and was a host supreme for the entire visit, meeting us at Mrs. Wilkes for lunch shortly after we stepped off the plane.



As with anyone who met Scott, Shawn & Grant immediately became fast friends with this magical man.



I cherish this shot with Scott, as he was passing the plates of food around the table.



Later in the day it was drinks at Public Kitchen and Bar.



More cocktails and stops at multiple establishments throughout Savannah ended up with this shot taken in front of Mercer House, where most of the action in the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" took place. It was a fun night, capped off with my first round of bed spins in years.



Here is how most people knew Scott; tending over his kingdom at The Grey Restaurant. He never met a stranger.



Another favorite shot, as we posed with a self-timer on the steps of a Savannah home.



On our last night in Savannah, of course we stopped by the Grey to see Scott. So many people did that. He had the kind of personality that made you want to be around him. All the time.





The next morning before we headed to Charleston, Scott and his partner Tart met us for brunch. The memory of that morning brings great happiness and sadness, as it was the last time I got to see his smiling face in person.



The shorts show Scott's love for his country; he was patriotic til the end.





I ask for everyone's thoughts and prayers to be with Scott's family and especially his surviving partner, Tart. Loss is terrible; unexpected loss is unfathomable, especially for such a senseless reason.





I hope that the city of Savannah can band together and do something about the rampant crime that has been increasing over the years. When the cost is one like Scott, action must be taken. And let's do it out of a place of love for Scott, not a place of hate for the perpetrators.

RIP dear man; you were a blessing to so many.

More of my photos that show the beauty of Savannah on my main website.