Historic District - North in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
United States Customhouse
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2008
1. United States Customhouse Marker
The United States Customhouse stands on historic ground. In a house on this site, James Edward Oglethorpe, founder of the colony of Georgia, lived for a time, and in 1736 John Wesley preached his first sermon at Savannah in a building which stood on the rear of the lot.The cornerstone of the Customhouse was laid in 1848. The building was completed in 1852 at a cost of $146,000. Built of granite from Quincy, Mass., the structure is one of the most handsome and substantial public buildings erected in that era. The magnificent fluted columns have tobacco leaves as capitals instead of the traditional decorations. The columns, each weighing fifteen tons, were brought to Savannah by sailing vessels. The unusual inside stairway divides at one-half height forming into circular stairs with no perpendicular support.
Although the building is used primarily by the United States Customs Service, it houses several Federal agencies. In earlier years it also served as a Post Office and Federal Courthouse. In 1859-1860 the celebrated cases growing out of slave-running by the yacht "Wanderer" were tried here before Justice Wayne of the U.S.
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Erected 1957 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 025-57.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Buildings • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1736.
Location. 32° 4.848′ N, 81° 5.476′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - North. Marker is at the intersection of Bay Street and Bull Street, on the right when traveling east on Bay Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oglethorpe's House (here, next to this marker); John Wesley (a few steps from this marker); The "John Randolph" (a few steps from this marker); The Savannah (a few steps from this marker); Savannah City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Railroad & Bank Bldg. (within shouting distance of this marker); A Storeroom By Any Other Name (within shouting distance of this marker); This is Yamacraw Bluff (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Also see . . . Slave Ship "Wanderer".
Photographed By Shane Oliver, December 29, 2020
2. United States Customhouse Marker
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2008
3. Designated Historic Customhouse
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 2008
4. National Register
of Historical Places
May 29, 1974
U.S. Custom House
Savannah, Georgia
John S. Norris
Architect 1852
This Property Significantly Contributes To The
Nation's Cultural Heritage
Commemorated June 1976 Gerald R. Ford
President of the
United States
Jack Eckard
Administrator of
General Services
Photographed By Mike Stroud, February 9, 2008
5. United States Customhouse
Historic American Buildings Survey, 1936
6. United States Customhouse
Historic American Engineering Record HABS GA, 26-SAV, 20-1
Photographed By Mike Stroud, September 11, 2011
7. United States Customhouse and Marker, being read by tourists, at right
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 1,202 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2. submitted on May 10, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 16, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 6. submitted on June 11, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on September 13, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
