Historic Stairways in Savannah, Georgia

There was SO much to do and see on our recent trip to Savannah, Georgia – we’re going to have to go back to see everything we missed.

Everywhere we went in the Historic District, we couldn’t help but notice unique, beautiful, historic stairways, outside and inside.  Savannah’s location and climate meant builders had to raise homes up off the ground, so the streets are lined with stairs leading up to the first floors from the street.

And the small lots meant most homes are at least three stories tall, so stairs became an important feature on the inside.

Fortunately, almost every builder took the time to make their stairs artistic, architectural, and interesting. Here are some of our favorites:

I love this view of the underside of the main foyer stair in the Davenport house. It’s the only place where you see the stair headed up and the one headed down at the same time.

Same stair, about halfway up, looking down – an arched window in a curved wall…how awesome is that?

Another view of the spectacular Davenport historic stairway, from the first floor looking up. Probably one of the most popular photographs in Savannah!

This is the main stair of the Andrew Low house. Not nearly as dramatic as the previous one, but the details are very nice and the runner is beautiful. They say the owner installed the brass rods on the runner because they reflected candlelight – so he could see his way up the stairs at night!

Stairs like this one often go unnoticed – it’s the servant’s stair in the back of the Low house, and while it’s strictly utilitarian, it’s still very beautiful!

Then there’s this crazy gilded fantasy, in the Owens-Thomas house. There’s a little bit of everything on this stair, including a pair of huge Composite columns flanking the stair.

But the best part of this stairway is this elegantly arched bridge connecting the front and back halves of the upstairs – wow!

One of our favorite outside beautiful stairways – so elegantly curved, and such an interesting balustrade! More outdoor stairs below.

A row of townhouses, all with the main floor up from the street.

We saw this sign at the top of an historic stairway leading from Bay Street down to the waterfront. It’s even steeper than it looks! Below, Seriously, you have to be careful working your way down. One. Step. At. A. Time.