Franklin Square and City Market

We got off at Franklin Square, Stop #16 and the last stop on the Old Savannah Tour.

The middle of Franklin square is dominated by the Haitian Monument, which pays tribute to the group of Haitian soldiers who fought for American Independence during the Siege of Savannah in 1779.

City Market is a 4-block open market with shops and restaurants.

Stop in Savannah's Candy Kitchen

to try some pralines.

You can arrange a carriage ride as well.

Statue of Marilyn Monroe in the middle of the market.

Statue of Johnny Mercer at the edge of City Market. Johnny Mercer, who wrote "Moon River," co-founded Capitol Records.

Nearby is Lady & Sons, Paula Deen's restaurant. They feature a buffet but it was in warming trays. We didn't stop to try it.

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Doors of Savannah

I love the posters about beautifully decorated doors. I wasn't bold enough to climb on the porches to take better pictures.

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Houses of Savannah

Over 40% of the buildings in Savannah have architectural or historic significance

One of the most famous is the Sorrel-Weed House--an example of Greek Revival and Regency architecture. The house was built for Francis Sorrel, a wealthy shipping merchant, and sold in 1862 to Henry Weed, a businessman. The house is listed as one of the most haunted places in the US. You can take a tour of the house.

Mercer-Williams House--an example of Italianate architecture. The house is famous as the scene of the shooting death of Jim Williams' assistant, a story retold in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

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SCAD

The Savannah College of Art and Design is everywhere in Savannah.

The Admissions Welcome Office is located on Bull Street.

There are numerous art exhibits inside

Interior of the building

Lobby

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Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room

Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room started as a boarding house offering rooms and meals for working class laborers and middle class merchants. You no longer have to stay at the boarding house to eat lunch, rated as one of the Top Meals in the South. You can still stay there but they're not simple rooms anymore.

The Wilkes House is located at 107 West Jones Street.

Lines form every day for their famous buffet lunches, served from 11 am-2 pm. I wasn't sure I wanted to wait in line but on the day we visited, the line wasn't too long so we decided to try it out.

Enter through the side doors

into a large dining room. You're seated at communal tables in groups of 10.

Before you are seated, the food is placed on the table. Pass the plates family style. If you run out, just ask for more. The dishes change daily.

Fried chicken is always on the menu and it was delicious. The other meats on offer during our visit were beef tip--too tough and BBQ beef--also not good. The sides were all good: black eyed peas, green beans, okra, butter beans, creamed corn, stuffing, mac n cheese, cabbage, squash, mashed potatoes, red rice, baked beans, sweet potatoes, collard greens and cucumber. The biscuits were flaky and tender.

You have a choice of peach cobbler or banana pudding for dessert.

Lunch is $22 for all you can eat, iced tea and tax--no credit cards. You leave very full and probably don't need another meal for the day.



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Holiest City in America?

Even though Charleston earns the nickname of Holy City, I think Savannah should be in the running. In the historic district, there are numerous churches for different denominations. We didn't see them all.

First African Baptist Church, located near City Market.

St. John's Episcopal Church, near Madison Square.

Lutheran Church of the Ascension, near Wright Square

Trinity Methodist Church, near Telfair Square.

Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, near Calhoun Square.

Independent Presbyterian Church, near Chippewa Square. The opening scene from Forest Gump featured a feather falling from the steeple. 

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, near Lafayette Square

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Sights Around Savannah

Juliette Low, the founder of Girl Scouts of America, was born in Savannah in this house. It is now maintained by the Girl Scouts as a memorial to their founder and as a center of activities for girl scouts.

There is a statue of Juliette in the courtyard.

Just south of Chippewa Square, the Six Pence Pub on Bull Street was the setting for "Something to Talk About" starring Julia Roberts and Dennis Quaid.

Colonial Park Cemetery is the final resting place for many dueling victims, patriots of the American Revolution and the 1820 Yellow Fever epidemic. The entrance was built by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Just beyond the cemetery is the Historic District Police Station. Loved the old cars in front.

Waving Girl Monument on the waterfront. It is a statue of Florence Martus, who waved to passing ships for 44 years of her life. It has been estimated that she welcomed over 50,000 ships in that time.

Savannah River with the Talmadge Memorial Bridge and the Westin in the distance.

There is a free ferry that operates in a triangular route from the Waving Girl Statue to the City Hall Landing then across the river to the Trade & Convention Center.

Vietnam War Memorial in Emmet Park

Washington Guns--cannons captured from the British in the Battle of Yorktown. They were gifted by Washington to Savannah.

Nearby is the Savannah City Hall--early 1900s Early Renaissance Revival Building with a 70-foot gold leaf dome.

If you don't use the Hop-On, Hop-Off buses, there is a free shuttle in the historic area.

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