Pine Gardens Neighborhood National Register Project

 

This site is devoted to all the good people who ever lived in the Pine Gardens Neighborhood in eastern Savannah, GA, and in surrounding neighborhoods.  It is further dedicated to the people who owned, managed and worked at the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation.

Click to the right to read history of the Pine Gardens Neighborhood   >>>> Pine Gardens History
Click to the right to read history of the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation (SSC)  >>>> Southeastern Shipbuilding Corp. History
Click to the right to learn about public "War Housing" provided for SSC workers, by the Housing Authority of Savannah  >>>> Adjacent "war housing" projects
Recent Addition!  Article in the Winter 2006 in the Historic Savannah Foundation's Newsletter Click here to read this exciting, informative article!
Recent Addition!  Polly Powers Stramm column in the April 1, 2006 "Savannah Morning News" Click here to read the Polly Powers Stramm column!

Please read the narrative below.  Most important, in order to fully understand this project, click and review the three related links, in the table just above!

                                              (A work in progress)

Savannah, GA's Pine Gardens Neighborhood is a subdivision of modest family homes on the east side, not far from the Savannah River.  It consists of more than 500 free-standing homes, came into existence in the early 1940's, and was the brainchild of Savannah's Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation (SSC).  At that time, SSC was seeking housing for the growing population of workers needed to support shipbuilding for the United States military.  To provide additional housing for SSC, the Housing Authority of Savannah erected three  nearby apartment complexes, Moses Rogers Grove,  and Josiah Tattnall Homes, and Deptford Place, none of which exists today.

A few vintage PG neighborhood photos follow.   (More are needed!)   
The "Penn Store" - intersection of Liberty St. & Penn. Ave. -  1948

Click to enlarge

2236 E. Liberty, 1949

Click to enlarge

Eli Whitney Elementary, ca. 1954 - a classroom photo

Click to enlarge

Eli Whitney school, ca. 1954, with custodian Mr. Lavender in foreground

Click to enlarge

A few recent PG neighborhood photos follow:
  The Savannah Fire Station No. 9, est'd 1943 for Pine Gardens:

See image below, and:

Click to enlarge:

 
   

 

Because of the tie-in between Pine Gardens and the Savannah Shipbuilding industry, and because it is the last surviving Savannah neighborhood created for that industry, an initiative is under way to have the neighborhood listed on the National Directory of Historic Districts.

Achievement of this listing would, of course, bring a certain honorary cachet to the neighborhood.  More importantly, however, is the near certainty that increased property values and neighborhood stability/longevity would ensue.  Although "listing" status would place no requirement or restriction on any homeowner, the potential for "Preservation Incentives" - such as grants or low-interest loans for certain restoration projects, can only benefit and strengthen the neighborhood.

To learn even more, try the links below:

 
For a link to the National Register, click here: To see the twenty three (23) places in Chatham County already listed, click here: To see how you can aid the Pine Gardens Registry Campaign, click here: Instructions for completing a National Register Nomination
       
       
       
       

Click the links below to continue your exploration of this project, please!

Pine Gardens NR Proj. ] [Adjacent "War Housing" projects]

,,,,

...
Last updated:  07/24/2010 09:55 PM
Sign my Guestbook from Bravenet.com Get your Free Guestbook from Bravenet.com
 

...

Please contact this web site's proprietor, below, with any corrections, thoughts, or questions.

....

To contact this site's Proprietor:

Charles Varner  -  663 William Hilton Parkway  -  Unit 1107  -  Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Phone: (843) 785-9680   

E-mail:  cevarner@fastmail.fm