Category Archives: Historic Photos

Cemeteries, Georgia, Historic Photos, National Register of Historic Places

“Little Gracie” Watson at Bonaventure Cemetery-Savannah, Georgia

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In the ten years since I relocated back to Georgia, I have visited Bonaventure Cemetery countless times. I will always pay “Little Gracie” Watson a visit unless it is later in the day when the cemetery is filled with tours.

Some would say Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil put Bonaventure on people’s radars. I would argue that Gracie keeps it on the radar. (Yes, there are many sculptural masterpieces who help, too. I only ever see crowds around her. Many of those sculptures designed by Gracie’s sculptor, John Walz.)

1893 photo of the Pulaski Hotel featured in the book Savannah Illustrated: Indelible Photographs

Gracie’s parents, Wales J. and Margaret, managed the Pulaski Hotel. Gracie was known by hotel guests. I have read several references where she died before Easter. Easter in 1889 was on Sunday, April 21. She died the Monday immediately after Easter on April 22.

An image of one of the many mementoes left for Gracie

A few years ago, I wondered what had happened to her parents. Sadly, her parents left Savannah and moved to New York. They are buried in Albany Rural Cemetery with no headstones.

Georgia, Historic Photos, Houses

Ferguson-Bryant House-Savannah, Georgia

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In researching this house, the city of Savannah has identified it as historic, but I could not find much information on it. It was built in 1873 and is a rare Second Empire home. Based on archived newspapers and census records, I have found two families associated with the address, the Fergusons and the Bryants. At times, rooms for rent were advertised. If you know any more info, please share.

Image from a Law and Preservation page with the Savannah City Government, https://www.savannahga.gov/1918/Law-and-Preservation-Exhibit
Georgia, Historic Photos, Houses

Wilson Home-Jefferson, Georgia

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This is the home of Gustavus James Nash Wilson. The photo of his home was featured at the front of his book about Jackson County, Georgia titled, The Early History of Jackson County, Georgia (1914).

This image was featured at the front of the book, and when I found out it was still standing, I knew I had to photograph it eventually. Built in 1886, the home has been modified over the years, but it still has some of the early details.

Black History, Historic Photos, Rosenwald Schools, Schools, South Carolina

Rosenwald School-Edgefield County, South Carolina

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I found this photo of a 6-teacher school in Edgefield County in Carter Woodson’s The Rural Negro, but the name of the school was not given, just the county. The Rosenwald Database is down until Summer 2023. According to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Edgefield County had two 6-teacher schools, the Edgefield School and the Johnston School. Please let me know if you are able to confirm which one it was.

Reference: Woodson, C. Godwin., Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, i. (1930). The Rural Negro. Washington, D.C.: The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, inc.