History of the Area
Just about 100 yards east of the house stands a building, the Georgia Infirmary, which old Savannah residents are proud to call the first 'negro hospital' in the country but that's not exactly true. Donald L. Grant writes in his book " The Way It Was in the South: The Black Experience in Georgia" that old, chronically ill, cripple, blind or infirm slaves were an unwanted expense for plantation owners, so in 1832 the Georgia Legislature established the Georgia Infirmary to house and care for the discarded slaves. He also states in that era the annual budget of $20 per slave per year was insufficient to provide proper care and by calling yourself a physician and purchasing sick slaves, you could make a very handsome profit if could nurse them back to health for re-sale.
The area Thomas Square Streetcar Historic District is named for Thomas Square Park, which lies near the center of the district, and the streetcar lines that made this neighborhood feasible in the late 1880s. With over 1,100 historic residential, commercial and community buildings, it is one of the largest historic districts in Savannah. It is bounded by Anderson Lane on the north, Broad Street on the east, Victory Drive on the south and Montgomery Street on the west.
After years of decline, the Thomas Square Streetcar Historic District has recently become the focus of revitalization and preservation efforts. In 1997 it was designated a National Register Historic District. It has also received a zoning classification, which will allow design review and demolition protection of its historic structures. Another recent effort is Historic Savannah Foundation's Lincoln Street Neighborhood Initiative, which seeks to implement preservation techniques, encourage resident participation and recruit responsible investment.
Originally, the Thomas Square Streetcar Historic District was part of Oglethorpe's designated farm lots. One of the first major structures was the Douillard-Maupas farmhouse, built in 1799. It still exists today as the Cottage Shop on Abercorn Street.
The evolution of the streetcar played a major role in the development of the district. After the Civil War, streetcar lines were laid out along Abercorn and Whitaker streets. During this time the Kiesling- Teynac Flower Nursery, a composite of greenhouses and windmills and Concordia Park, complete with bowling lanes, gardens and playgrounds and became favorite visiting spots for area residents.By 1883 the city limits were extended to Victory Drive. Streets, lanes and lots were platted for residential development, and Thomas Square was laid out along one block between 35th and 36th Streets. Another housing boom occurred with the electrification of streetcars in 1888 and Savannah residents were able to conveniently move into the Thomas Square area to build their homes. As the area continued to grow from 1900-1920, other significant structures were built including; the Savannah Public Library, Sacred Heart Church, St. Francis Orphanage for African- American Children and Benedictine School.
History of the Galloway House
Richard M. Lester built this classical revival plantation house in 1895-6. The wealthy and socially prominent Lester family played an important role throughout much of Savannah's early history and recently was the subject of John Jake's novel, ''Savannah or A Gift for Mr. Lincoln". Although large in scale it was never a very formal home, rather a blending of the more traditional Folk Victorian style.
Originally the house was built as a two story single-family residence with a partial basement and the on the 2nd floor two-story carriage house were the staff quarters. My best guess is that when built the house had a living room, dining room, library, kitchen, full bath and back porch on the 1st floor and 4 bedrooms, a sitting room and 2 baths on the 2nd floor. At the time having two baths on the 2nd floor was "the bee's knees!" The main house 2nd floor front porch was once screened in for sleeping on summer nights and the house had a staircase from the basement all the way to the attic so shoveling coal was never inconvenient. Despite Savannah's summer sun at some point the exterior of the house was painted black.
Somewhere in the 1920's or 30's the main house was converted into a two apartments and over the years the house was used as a funeral home, a low-income rental, it housed a 28-member commune and sat vacant for years. In the 70's and 80's it was the office for an answering service company and at the time 2nd floor front porch was enclosed and numerous operators took messages for over 700 Savannah residents. A previous owner told me that when he bought the house he tore out a bunch of phone lines and 300 local homes lost service.
There are some mysteries to the house. The floor between what are now the two bedrooms and in the entry on the 1st floor had to be replaced as it was rotted from what looked to be water damage yet there was no water damage to the walls, ceiling or the floor above. On the 2nd floor there is a dead end hall and a dead space above a closet that is not readily accessible from above or below. (Yes I took a hammer, punched a hole but didn't see anything but dust.)
On an attic wall there was written "S Semi thy 1895" and during renovations we found old bottles of rye whiskey, sadly empty but still showing their influence.
These are just a few of the before and after images. Because the house was chopped up into so many little rooms most of the pictures I originally took just show walls covered with cheap 60's wood paneling painted white, yellowed acoustical tile drop ceilings and glued down old gray commercial carpet. Inside and out the house was just big and ugly!
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This was the real estate listing picture. |
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After waiting 3 months the City of Savannah gave me permission to remove the aluminum siding and re-open the 2nd floor front porch. |
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The driveway to the carriage house. |
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I thought a garden would look better. |
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Two pictures of the living room. |
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A composite picture of the living room today. |
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