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

Machine Shop

Photographed By Don Morfe, September 22, 2013

1. Machine Shop Marker

Inscription. The courtyard in front of you is actually the remains of the Machine Shop. Note its walls and foundations that supported various machines. Can you find the “ghost” outline on the wall inside the doorway marking where the stairs once were?

The Central of Georgia railroad built this shop between 1851-1855. A second story (A) was added in 1876. Machinists working here milled metal by threading pipes and bolts, drilling holes, and planing items to various sizes. The machinists also finished iron objects made in the Blacksmith Shop and repaired items such train wheels. The wheel lathe, drill press, smaller lathes, and metal planers were powered by the line shaft from the Boiler Room. The curved wall (B) by the front of the Machine Shop marks the edge of the original 1850s Roundhouse.

Hourly and Monthly Wages for Machinists
* 1917 - 50 cents ($103.02 a month)
* 1920 - 85 cents ($173.40 a month)
* 1921 - 77 cents ($157.08 a month)
* 1922 - 70 cents ($142.80 a month)

(captions)
(upper left) This photograph shows the shop years after the complex closed, but prior to its destruction by Hurricane David in 1979. Library of Congress

(lower left) The letters indicate the same areas on the photograph above as on this map. Library of Congress

Topics. This

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historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 32° 4.5′ N, 81° 6.083′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in Yamacraw Village. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Turntable (here, next to this marker); Workers' Garden (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 7, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Coastal Heritage Society. Website homepage

Photographed By Don Morfe, September 22, 2013

2. Machine Shop Marker

(Submitted on October 7, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 394 times since then and 15 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.