History

The LePageville Community and its burial ground are important to the history of Savannah and Chatham County. Records estimate that at least 500 people were buried at LePageville between 1885 and 1967. Although this African-American site dates back to 1885, it was originally part of the 250-acre Brewton Hill Plantation and housed those enslaved by Miles Brewton dating back to 1775. This land is also significant as the site of the Battle of Brewton Hill on December 29, 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. It later became Causton Bluff Plantation in 1852.

Threat

LePageville Memorial Cemetery is beyond recognition as a burial site due to extensive overgrowth. It suffered from neglect and abandonment when the LePageville Community was condemned and torn down by local officials in 1967. Over the last 10+ years, new development has threatened the site, and has been used as a spot for unhoused encampments and trash dumping.

It is beyond the financial means of the grassroots organization who owns and maintains the property, largely descendants of the former residents and buried relatives. By calling attention to its endangered condition, we hope to get the site attention and recognition within the Savannah community.

History

Located on Old Coffee Bluff Road, the Nicholsonboro Baptist Church (formerly Nickersonville Baptist Church) was established in 1850 on St. Catherine’s Island on the plantation of Jacob Waldburg. Approximately 200 formerly enslaved Africans migrated to the mainland in 1868 following the rescinding of General Sherman’s Field Order #15. A Deed of Partition for an acre parcel of land in Nickersonvillle was purchased for a church; the first Praise House was constructed in 1870, and a second sanctuary was built in 1890. The Georgia Historical Society recognized the church’s importance to the Nicholsonboro community with a historic marker in 1978; the Church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Threat

Formerly rural area, many of the younger generations have moved away. The current congregation is small and aging, although new younger membership is on the rise. A combination of age, natural elements and lack of critical maintenance have resulted in ongoing deterioration. The 1870 and 1890 buildings are among the few remaining intact examples of the architecture found in southern rural churches of the late nineteenth century. While many of the members trace their ancestry back to the initial congregation, there is a lack of ability to fund the restoration and preservation work required.

The Church was also selected in the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 ‘Places in Peril’ program. We hope that additional inclusion in HSF’s new program will aid in the needed level of visibility to attract and engage a broad base of local partners and sponsors to restore these historically significant gems.

History

The Roche Walker House was constructed in 1891 as part of the building boom that began with the enlargement of Forsyth Park in the 1870s and once was at the very edge of town. Although the land was acquired in 1888, the house wasn’t built until 1891 for Florence M. Roche and Patrick C. Roche, a lumber mill supplier. The deed was in Mrs. Roche’s name, an oddity for the time. The house is architecturally significant as a high-style Queen Anne. Initially, the house was rented to Jacob Paulsen (1893-96), who was a prominent resident of Savannah who served in the Civil War, was President of the Propellor Tow Boat Co. & Salvage Dredging Co., served as a county commissioner for 8 years, sat on the board of directors of several local banks, and was a local land developer. After Paulsen, the Roche’s lived in the house for a few years. By 1900, after Roche’s divorce, the house was sold to William T. Walker, who owned a successful furniture company on Broughton Street. The Walkers lived at the residence for over 20 years. Alterations were made to the property in 1959.

Threat

Sitting in a prominent corner location, the House is the only historic structure left on the southern portion of the block; the rest are parking lots. The property has sat vacant for several years, and other than some exterior painting that took place in 2022, the lack of maintenance is becoming even more apparent with broken windows and a tree hitting the building on the rear of the lot. Without occupants, the interior condition is unknown.

The Roche Walker House stands as a solitary reminder of a once dense Victorian streetscape. We hope that inclusion on this list will educate the public on the property’s history as well as inspire the current owner to make the necessary repairs to the building and find occupants to activate the building.

History

Finished six years after Taylor (previously Calhoun) Square was laid out, the John B Berry House was built in 1856 and remains an intact example of hall-parlor configuration. Between 1898 and 1916, a large wood three-story porch was added to the west facade of the building. Between 1937 and 1954, the porch was bricked in to create an enclosed addition. The original ornamentation remains intact including window crowns, bay window, and quoins; it represents a good example of the Italianate Style. The John B Berry House is located in a prominent location and is a contributing building to the Landmark Historic District. Research completed by Ethos Preservation.

Threat

The property has long suffered deferred maintenance and neglect; however the threat has been escalated by the removal of the three-story masonry addition in 2023, which has left the west facade exposed to the elements. The stucco was scared by the removal and left joist pockets exposed to the elements. Multiple windows have broken glass, are missing or left open, likely causing additional damage to the interior. The condition of the roof is unknown. Without work commencing, the home continues to be exposed to the elements causing further deterioration. It is well understood how much expense goes into properly restoring a historic building, however not doing anything to ensure the house is protected from the elements drastically increases the cost as well. We hope that inclusion on the list will inspire the homeowners to complete a certain level of repairs.

HSF has been in contact with the current owner of the John B. Berry House, who states that the home will be rehabilitated soon. A contractor has been selected, and work permits have been filed. We can’t wait to see this historic building come back to life!

History

Station 6 Firehouse was built in 1900 when Herman Myers was Mayor of the City of Savannah and Jno. E. Maguire was the Fire Chief. W. M. Armitage is listed as the builder and the twelve aldermen of the time are also listed on the marble plaque on the front facade. The building originally included a clock tower in the western corner of the front pedimented gable of the two-story brick structure. The Firehouse opened on April 20, 1901. The building was extensively renovated from 1956 to 1957. The station housed Engine 6, Truck 6 starting around 1976, and Squad 6 in the 1970s. In 1979, the department started the Station Relocation Project, which led to the selection of a new site for Station 6. It was relocated to Liberty Parkway in 1983. The building presently serves as a residence.

Threat

The property has suffered deferred maintenance and neglect, and appears to be in a state of disrepair, as it has been for several years. Recent hurricanes have resulted in roofing issues evidenced by a tarp being placed on the roof over the previous location of the clocktower. The overall condition of the roof is unknown. Faded and chipping paint, overgrown vegetation and biological growth, and masonry tagged with graffiti are additional concerns. We hope that inclusion on the list will inspire the current homeowners to complete a certain level of repairs.

History

This building is particularly significant to us at HSF due to its connection with Master Builder Isaiah Davenport. According to the HSF Building Data Sheet, this building is listed as Isaiah Davenport’s tenement. He held this property longer than any other, for 14 years, until his death in 1827. He purchased all of lot 18 from Catherine Bourke on April 22, 1813. Arguably the first house to be built on the square sometime between 1799 and 1809 was (now demolished) 122 Houston. Considering the dramatic increase in valuation of improvements from 1814 to 1816, it is likely that Isaiah either made extensive improvements or potentially built an additional house, which would be 124 Houston today.

Additional research would need to be completed to determine if Isaiah’s alterations to the original house are still present today or if he did in fact build the house standing today.  Further research would also need to be completed to determine if the Davenports ever lived at this location, however from preliminary research it is unlikely.

Threat

Although considered minor deferral of maintenance compared to other properties on our list, exterior paint is flaking, a window is missing glass, shutters were previously removed and never put back, and overgrown vegetation are concerns. Considering this is potentially one of the last remaining residential structures associated with Isaiah Davenport, building maintenance is of the utmost importance. We hope that inclusion on the list will inspire the current homeowners to complete these repairs so that the house doesn’t fall into disrepair.