Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Oliver Sturges House

Photographed by Mike Stroud, February 2008
1. The Oliver Sturges House Marker
National Register of Historic Places:
Sturges, Oliver, House *** (added 1971 - - #71000271)
27 Abercorn St. , Savannah
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Achitecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
♦ Architectural Style: No Style Listed
♦ Area of Significance: Transportation, Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1800-1824
27 Abercorn St. , Savannah
♦ Historic Significance: Event, Achitecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
♦ Architectural Style: No Style Listed
♦ Area of Significance: Transportation, Architecture
♦ Period of Significance: 1800-1824
Mr. Sturges was a two-fifths owner of the Steam Ship Savannah, first steamship ever built and first to cross the Atlantic. The Savannah's historic voyage was planned in the Sturges House, which was one of a pair of brick Federal- style residences located on Trust Lot T, Reynolds Ward. Mr. Sturges' partner, Benjamin Burroughs, lived in the other residence, where the John Wesley Hotel is presently located.
Morris Newspaper Corporation, owner and operator of newspapers throughout the United States, purchased the Sturges House from Historic Savannah Foundation in 1971 for conversion into corporate headquarters. The careful restoration of the house was completed in 1973.
The Oliver Sturges House has been entered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1813.
Location. 32° 4.771′ N, 81° 5.401′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia , in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. It can be reached from Abercorn Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in Reynolds Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27 Abercorn Street, Savannah GA 31401, 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 walking distance of this marker: John Wesley (a few steps from this marker); Wesley Chapel Trinity / John Wesley's American Parish (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named John Wesley (within shouting distance of this marker); Savannah: Colonial Capital and Birthplace of (within shouting distance of this marker); The Public Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lucas Theatre (about 300 feet away); Christ Church Parish House (about 300 feet away); Christ Church (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Regarding The Oliver Sturges House. Three-story brick house with a semi-raised basement built on a stone foundation, featuring a stoop with portico supported by two slender Doric columns on stone piers. The roof is slate and the entrance to the basement is enclosed by an iron railing. The octagonal room in the rear overlooking the garden was originally the finest room in the house. Built by Foreman, the house was later owned by Winns and later bought by Hiram Roberts. The third floor was added in 1835. For more information see Linley, John. The Georgia Catalog: Historic American Buildings Survey. Athens, Ga.: University of Georgia Press, c1982, p. 339.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Photographed by Shane Oliver, December 29, 2020
7. Newly-installed marker located at the corner of the Oliver Sturges House
Inscription reads: John Wesley Founder of Methodism Minister of the Church of England in Georgia 1736-1737 Lived and prayed in the parsonage and garden at this site. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America In the State of Georgia, Installed 1903 The NSCDA-GA, Savannah Town Committee, Replaced 2019
Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,461 times since then and 88 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 3, 4. submitted on November 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on March 10, 2013, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 6, 7. submitted on January 1, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.




