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

Smokestack

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 22, 2013

1. Smokestack Marker

Inscription.
This Smokestack served dual purposes.

Underground flues connect the stack to the Boiler Room and Blacksmith Shop. This system operated on the Bernoulli Principle. The height of the stack enabled wind and pressure to create a vacuum and draw smoke through the tunnels and out of the building. The hot air created by the boiler expanded and rose, contributing to this effect. This also brought fresh air in the boiler, creating a hotter fire. The stack contained a large water reservoir behind the iron panels that held water needed by the shops. The base of the stack housed 16 privies (toilets) and changing rooms for workers.

Smokestack Trivia
* 125 feet tall
* 14 foot tall water tank
* Contained 16 privies
* Tank held 40,000 gallons
* Foundation of 120 cedar pilings

(caption)
Notice the different brick on the top of the Smokestack. Shortly after the rail shops closed in 1963, brick salvage began on the stack. Citizens successfully rallied to stop demolition. Their efforts contributed to rebuilding the stack and preserving the site.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. 32° 4.5′ N,

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81° 6.117′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in Yamacraw Village. It can be reached from Louisville Road 0.2 miles east of West Boundary Street, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the grounds of the Georgia State Railroad Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 655 Louisville Road, 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,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Blacksmith Shop (here, next to this marker); Boiler Room (within shouting distance

Photographed by Don Morfe, September 22, 2013

2. Smokestack Marker

of this marker); Planing Shed & Lumber Shed (within shouting distance of this marker); Central Of Georgia Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Drop Table (within shouting distance of this marker); Storehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Turntable (within shouting distance of this marker); Machine Shop (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 9, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Coastal Heritage Society. Website homepage (Submitted on October 9, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Smokestack as seen in 2007, pre-restoration image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, June 3, 2007

3. Smokestack as seen in 2007, pre-restoration

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,049 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on November 19, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.