Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Walter Bernard Hill Hall

Photographed by David Seibert, January 23, 2005

1. Walter Bernard Hill Hall Marker

Inscription. This is the oldest remaining building on the Savannah State University campus. It was constructed in 1901 by the students and faculty of then Georgia State Industrial College during the administration of the college’s first president, Richard R. Wright, Sr. It is named for the chancellor of the University of Georgia at that time. President William Howard Taft visited Hill Hall in 1912 and African American soldiers trained here during World War I. The building has served as a dormitory, library, classroom and administrative building, student center, book store, and post office.

Erected 2001 by Georgia Historical Society and the Savannah State University National Alumni Association. (Marker Number 25-8.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications • Education • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #27 William Howard Taft, the Georgia Historical Society, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.

Location. 32° 1.372′ N, 81° 3.451′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is on Felix J. Alexis Circle 0.1 miles east of

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South Tompkins Road, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31404, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Coastal Plain and on the Georgia Coast and the Golden Isles.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Savannah State College (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roger Lacy (Lacey) (approx. 0.8 miles away); St. Pius X High School (approx. 0.8 miles away); Mercer Auto Camp (approx. 1.2 miles away); American Legion Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Sacred to the Memory of Veterans of World Wars (approx. 1½ miles away); Little Gracie (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Old Bonaventure Waterworks and Garden (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Regarding Walter Bernard Hill Hall. Walter Bernard Hill Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Additional commentary.
1.
National Register of Historic Places:
Hill Hall at Savannah State College ** (added 1981 - Building - #81000197)
Savannah State College campus, Savannah •
Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown •
Architectural Style: Classical Revival •
Area of Significance: Education, Architecture •
Period of Significance:

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1900-1924 •
Historic Function: Domestic, Education •

— Submitted August 2, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,950 times since then and 46 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on July 29, 2009, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?