Monday, June 21, 2010

More Adventures in Savannah: The Legends

On my last post, I was asked a few questions about Savannah. I'll try to answer them here. One question was how Savannah compared to Charleston.


Well, I love them both, and I highly recommend a visit to each, especially when kids are old enough to enjoy the history. They are similar, true, but they are not really identical.

I guess I would sum up the difference this way:
Charleston is a city with great character.
Savannah, on the other hand, is a city with great characters.

Savannah is full of legends, and it gets a new legend with each generation.

Spanish moss covered live oak trees line just about every street in the Old Savannah, whether residential, commercial, or historic. I’ve enjoyed just about every version of the Savannah tour, and the legends of the mossy stuff vary about as much as the modes of tourist transport. Basically, every legend includes an Indian maiden (It’s always a maiden in a legend, never just a girl…), a suitor, and an unfortunate hair snagging incident.

In truth? It’s just an hairy distant cousin to the pineapple which may or may not be infested with red bugs depending on whom you ask. I personally wouldn’t recommend eating it or sleeping on it, but that’s just me…

The Waving Girl


Florence Martus was the unmarried sister to the lighthouse keeper on a nearby Island who waved to greet every ship, every day, for 44 years. During the day, she waved a white cloth. At night, she waved a lantern.

Legend says that she was waiting for her long lost love, a sailor who never returned from sea.
However, there has never been any evidence to support that. Personally, I wonder if she might have just been a little odd and in need of a hobby. Today, she would probably blog all about it.

Tomo- Chi-Chi’s Grave


If you believe the 4,789 Savannah ghost stories, you will not want to visit Wright Square at night. It's the grave site of Tomo-Chi-Chi, a Yamacraw chief critical to the settlement of Savannah. Now, that monument behind the marker is not his grave site.


It's really this big rock.  Legend says that if you run around his grave three times and ask, “Tomo-Chi-Chi, what’s for supper?” he will appear with the answer. I once took a group of 6th graders on the Savannah tour who insisted on trying to conjure up the hungry native. I have no idea whether he appeared or not. My eyes were closed.


The Olde Pink House


This is an absolutely lovely old home which is now a wonderful restaurant. The husband and I went there once on an anniversary. The thing that I did NOT like about it is that the restrooms are located downstairs in the historic creepy old tavern. During dinner, I ventured down there out of necessity, but could not turn the knob on the ladies’ room door.

So I waited…
and waited… and waited.
Finally, I knocked on the door, but no one answered.

Years later, I heard the legend of the Olde Pink House. According to legend, it is inhabited by a mischievous ghostie whose favorite haunt is that very ladies' room. Apparently, women claim to feel someone touching their hair and blowing in their ears. Upon trying to leave, they find themselves locked by a knob that will not turn.


Sooo....I might possibly be the only woman in history to be rejected by a dirty old ghost.


There are so many more, but this post is getting long. However, I was asked about this one:


Legend says that this place is inhabited by a friendly silver-haired character.  Apparently, you'll know her when you see her. She cackles… and tosses butter willy nilly into every pot.

Personally, I think that last one is bit far fetched, but stranger things have happened in Savannah...

12 comments:

Amy Kinser said...

Wow! What crazy stories. Sounds like a fun adventure to go on. Great pictures.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

That's a great comparison... characters versus character, and I think that sums it up well.

I also think that Charleston's yards have a different look. They are small and have all of those single houses. Savannah, on the other hand, has all of those parks and what seems like more trees. To me, Charleston has a more masculine vibe, and Savannah is very feminine.

XO,

Sheila :-)

BECKY said...

You are hilarious! Love your little comments! I love them both, too. Savannah has lots of special meaning to me personally, so that's my fave between the two. Although we have been wanting to go back to Charleston!!

Have a great week!
Becky

Holly Lefevre said...

I have always wanted to go to Savannah and Charleston. My travels i that part of the country are limited...although hubby is from Tallahassee.

You are too funny saying the waving lady would be blogging...I am still chuckling.

Kathleen said...

Hi, I've just had a good time reading your blog and will be back to read some more later on. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my OW. Kathleen

Leslie {Goodbye, house. Hello, home!} said...

You funny lady!
Too much coffee in my cafe'?
That is a weird story about the bathroom-creepy, did you get goose bumps when you heard the story after what happened to you?!
We watched our DVD, that Mark made of our trip to Savannah, last night!
I think the Waving Girl would have blogged about it, too- but each post would say the same thing--"He didn't come today. Must have drowned at sea. I need to get a life."
We ate at the last ghostie's restaurant-and let me tell you, honey, the collards and fried chicken were heavenly. (I haven't had fried chicken since because it's just not a normal part of our diet).
Anyway--thank you for the reminiscing.
I think someday you will have to come to my cafe' for real.
No ghosts here, except the Holy kind :)
Blessings, sweet friend!
~me

Renée said...

Cities in the South...oh, the romance. Your pictures are just splendid and I love the tales. Thanks for going with your friend so you could write this delightful post about your day. I sure enjoyed it and the first one too.

Kelli said...

I love both cities, but have visited Charleston more often. Thanks for sharing the legends. Once again, you made me SMILE!!!

FrouFrouBritches said...

Debbie, you ROCK!!! I think you missed your calling as a tour guide!! I'm dying to visit now. I love all the old legends and the spanish moss makes everything look so romantic. It's beautiful! Thanks for including the picture and the legend of the silver haired lady!!!

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Debbie! Savannah sounds like a wonderful place to visit...however I will make sure to stay away from that restaurants bathroom! Thanks for stopping by today and leaving a comment...I bet you see some lovely gates in these historic cities! Have a wonderful Wednesday....Maura :)

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

That was a fun post! We went to Savannah the year before last becasue my daughter was thinking about going to SCAD (she chose the ATL campus instead). It was so hot and muggy! But I loved all the old buildings and the food was great!

Manuela

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

I love Savannah. I've been there many times since I live in good ole Georgia. Many years ago I did the "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" tour. It was fabulous! It was during the time the book was popular but before the movie came out. Gotta love the south with all it's crazy "real life" characters. :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails