Savannah Ga Historic District - Styles and Influences

One of fun things about living in a history-rich town like Savannah is looking at all the different homes styles and trying to figure out the influences. Some are a mixture of influences and difficult to discern.

Gothic, Queen Anne, Italianate, there is often a mixture. Then when you go further south of downtown you begin to see the Craftsman influence.

What makes it difficult to determine sometimes is the renovation through the years where homeowners did major renovations and chose the current influential styles to add to the original.

These changes were made for various reasons, but mainly to add space or to create a home more maintenance friendly. The combinations are sometimes obvious, but the ones done with obvious skill create a hybrid that really takes on a style of its own.

One of the most interesting styles is the Queen Anne. Its exuberance and ornamentation is a eye-catcher.

Another one of my favorites is Spanish Eclectic. There is one being renovated across from where I am remodeling a home, Greek Revival style, in the Thomas Square Streetcar District. It has a boldness about it that is inspiring. Once I started learning about the history of these styles and influences, riding around town has become more interesting. I will sometimes blurt out “Italianate” or “Federal” and my wife will just look at me and roll her eyes.

Well, at least it's interesting to me.