Yamacraw Village in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Workers' Garden
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 22, 2013
1. Workers' Garden Marker
Picture this Central of Georgia complex at its peak. Imagine the haze from coal-burning locomotives, the din of hammers in the Blacksmith Shop, the shrieking of metal milling, and the whining of planers and saws. Why is a garden in the middle of this industrial complex?
The railroad encouraged gardens, which gave workers a respite from their industrial surroundings. There was friendly competition between rail yards, each claiming prized vegetables or flowers. The Workers’ Gardens you stand in now was recreated in 2004 with the assistance of the Trustees’ Garden Club. It is based on the garden designed around 1900. Tradition credits rose enthusiast and Master Mechanic Whitehurst with creating the garden. Mr. Whitehurst had an additional interest in developing this garden, as his office window overlooked it. Below, Central of Georgia workers stand in the garden in 1923. Note the walkway and fountain curbing in the lower right corner.
(caption)
(lower left) Mr. Andrew Paul, a railroad employee from 1899-1951, admires the okra in the Central of Georgia Workers’ Garden. Vegetable plants supplemented the initial roses and other flowers.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 2004.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Turntable (here, next to this marker); Machine Shop (here, next to this marker); Tender Frame Shop & Master Mechanic's Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Smokestack (within shouting distance of this marker); Drop Table (within shouting distance of this marker); Colored Shopmen's Locker & Lavatory (within shouting distance of this marker); Boiler Room (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.
Also see . . .
1. Georgia State Railroad Museum. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 12, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Coastal Heritage Society. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on October 12, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Don Morfe, September 22, 2013
2. Workers' Garden Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 379 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
