Tag Archives: Architecture of William Gibbons Preston

Baldwin-Neely House, 1887, Savannah

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This Richardsonian Romanesque landmark near Forsyth Park was designed for George Johnson Baldwin by architect William Gibbons Preston, who was also responsible for the Savannah Volunteer Guards Armory, the old DeSoto Hotel and the Cotton Exchange, among others. Baldwin’s wife Lucy made the home a center of society in late Victorian Savannah.

Alvin Neely

Recently, my friend John Brown and I had a delightful visit with longtime owner, Alvin Neely. Alvin grew up in Waynesboro, in one of the town’s best-known homes, and his family has a long and prosperous history in Burke and Jefferson counties.

Alvin has continued the tradition of being an elegant host and visiting with him is like a glimpse into another era. He was a good friend of Jim Williams, the main character in John Berendt’s head-turning bestseller, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and shared some wonderful anecdotes about those days.

He graciously invited me to photograph throughout the home and I’m grateful to be able to share a few images.

Alvin has carefully decorated the house with antiques that reflect the spirit of the architectural style and the era with which it is associated.

As a result, it is a comfortable and welcoming space.

Over the years, the home has regularly played host to Alvin’s large circle of friends.

Marble sculpture
Library
Solarium
Stairway landing
Decorative relief

Savannah Historic District, National Historic Landmark

Savannah Cotton Exchange, 1887

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A decorative statue of a lion with wings, sitting and spouting water, set against a backdrop of greenery and historic buildings.

Designed by famed Boston architect William Gibbons Preston (1842-1910), the Savannah Cotton Exchange is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. It represents a time when Savannah was the leading cotton market in the United States and second in the world. In that sense, it was as important to the cotton industry then as the New York Stock Exchange is to the financial industry today. It’s one a few structures in the world to be built over a street (Factor’s Walk). Since closing its doors after the decline of the cotton trade, it has been home to the Savannah Chamber of Commerce and more notably the Freemasons, who have used it as Solomon’s Masonic Lodge since 1976. It is not open to the public, but remains one of the most photographed places in Savannah. Nearly as memorable as the structure itself is the fountain out front, representing a  gryphon (griffin), or winged lion. Damaged by a car in 2008, the original was replaced in 2010.

A historic brick building featuring the words 'Savannah Cotton Exchange' with a lion statue in front, surrounded by greenery and palm trees.

National Register of Historic Places