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When I was a little girl, my family told me that the ships that delivered cotton and other wares to the Savannah harbor back in the day used to unload their cobblestone ballast as well as their goods. These cobblestones, in turn, were used to pave the river front, factor’s walk, and build up the bluff on which Savannah sits. I made up stories about the people who delivered the cobblestones and where they might have originated. While the cobblestoned areas are beautiful, they can also be treacherous if you don’t watch your step. Likewise, my stories had more than a sample of pirates and ne’er do wells handling the stones. The cobblestones have always maintained a mystique to me.
Historians guess that the cobblestones that pave Savannah’s waterfront area hale from the American northeast, Canada, the British Isles, Spain, Portugal, and Madeira. I imagine an expert could trace the stone’s origin by its content. It doesn’t really matter to me what the expert says. The word itself simply signifies a rounded lump of stone, implying a large size, which has been rounded by the flow of water. No matter what the true origin, I think I’ll stick with my childhood fantasy that assured me that the person who brought them to the ship to be used as ballast salvaged them from some stream bed in a magical forest. Isn’t that more fun?
Isn’t this inviting? Can anyone guess this door’s location?
Welcome to the Mansion…700 Drayton Street!
A band of horses, dashing down Congress Street.
People who are fascinated with architectural elements often key in on a single item that draws their attention. Mine is doors. I spend a ridiculous amount of time looking a pictures of doors on Pinterest. They always intrigue me, not just because of the shape or color. More often that not, I just like to create stories about them. For example, this is one of the doors in Savannah that has always been of interest. It’s on Bull and Oglethorpe Streets. Can’t you just imagine a tale of Moors or Ali Baba? Doors can be appreciated like any other art form. It’s all about what you feel when you look at it. Every time I walk by this particular door, I feel like I’m one step away from jumping on a magic carpet and taking a ride to an exotic locale for the afternoon.
Savannah is home to many architectural styles and one of the most popular is the bungalow. Perhaps the highest concentration of Arts & Crafts style bungalows are found 
in Ardsley Park, the unofficial designation for a neighborhood made up of more than a dozen wards. It is located in the heart of the city, with numerous parks and green spaces, and is highly desired among young families. The majority of these homes were constructed in the 1940’s and have gone through at least one round of updating or renovation. Often, buyers have asked, “What makes a house a bungalow?”
The term actually precedes the Arts & Crafts movement in America. In fact, “bungalow” was used as far back as the late 1600’s to describe detached, single story homes with wide verandas. The description has been used to describe a variety of styles all across the globe. So, in Savannah, what makes a bungalow a bungalow?
The Visual Dictionary of American Domestic Architecture by Rachel Carley is the best source I’ve discovered that displays the most common features, including:
- One or one-and-a-half story detached home
- Wide veranda or deep porch, with dwarf piers
- Often containing projecting eaves and cutout brackets
- Low pitched roof with rafter tails
- Grouped windows, often with 8 over 1 double hung sash
- Clapboard siding
- Built in cupboards
The typical Ardsley Park bungalow is under 2000 square feet and is priced in the the low to mid-$200’s. While clapboard siding is most frequently associated with the true bungalow, Ardsley Park also boasts a twist on the theme, i.e., brick style bungalows with glorious brick arches and the same interior surprises of built-ins, hardwood floors, banquettes, Arts & Crafts inspired fireplaces & surrounds, and much more.
Buyers who are familiar with the style features they prefer are loved by the Realtors who serve them! Even if a buyer can’t walk up and say “bungalow,” it is highly recommended that he/she builds a picture file (magazine, iPhone, etc.) of the types of style features that are attractive. With those in mind, the Realtor should be able to match architectural style and zero in on the most likely neighborhoods for consideration. If you need help determining your “style,” do not hesitate to contact me. I’m a professional match-maker!
