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Washington Square: Trustees' Garden Village

Here are examples of the trailblazing creativity of Mr. and Mrs. H. Hansell Hillyer. Mr. Hillyer was president of Savannah Gas Company. His wife, Mary, saw the possibilities in the rundown buildings around the old gasworks, the area that was once the country's first agricultural experiment station. Skeptical glances became smart salutes as Mrs. Hillyer transformed slum dwellings into snappy apartments, demonstrating (before the founding of Historic Savannah Foundation, Inc.) that historic preservation is a good investment. In 1960, Mary Hillyer was honored by the Georgia Historical Society, Historic Savannah, and the Savannah Jaycettes.

Shops and Restaurants make up most of Bishop's Court, so named because the headquarters of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia is here. This, too, is the site of Fort Savannah, built during the Revolutionary War and later renamed Fort Wayne in honor of General "Mad Anthony" Wayne. Beginning at East Broad and Bay Streets.

--Visitor's Guide to Savannah

Washington Square
1. Hampton Lillibridge House
(c.1796), second house from the square, 507 East St. Julian Street. Widow's walk atop gambrel roof on a grey frame house, rumored to be haunted.
2. International Seaman's House
25 Houston Street. Shady front porch with American flag; a welcome sight to seamen.
3. Trustees' Garden Village
Beginning at East Broad and Bay Streets. Originally ten acres of experimental gardens for the colonists - now a residential delight.

Map | Next Stop: Greene Square