Abandoned, burned and reborn: The story of 12 West Oglethorpe
Written by Paul Jerome Watson. Photo courtesy of The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation.
A hallway, once charred and covered in ash, now holds a glass elevator that rises from a pristine wooden floor. A ceiling that once collapsed now hangs two chandeliers above a bar strewn with white, leather chairs. 12 West Oglethorpe was left to ruin but is now one of Savannah’s most prestigious restaurants and tourist locations.
Despite its current popularity, little is actually known regarding the previous residents of the home. What is known is that it was built in 1898 as a private home for Bernie Gordon, the brother of Juliette Gordon-Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of America. It was eventually sold to the Elks Lodge 183 in 1908, a community-oriented social group, “where neighbors come together, families share meals and children grow up.” It sold for $20,000 after Gordon died, according to Elks.org. The Elks occupied the mansion before it was transformed into a performing arts school and eventually abandoned in 1985.
From then on, it became known for various legends and tall tales, making it a central attraction for tour groups, most famously Savannah Ghost Tours. They tell a story of a doctor who attempted to cure Yellow Fever and then transferred the disease to his children. After they died from the fever, they all began to haunt the residence. However, there is no such record of a doctor ever living at 12 West Oglethorpe.
The building was abandoned for years. But then in 2009, teenagers started a fire in a nearby dumpster. The blaze broke out and lasted several hours before it was put out. No one was injured, however, the ballroom was completely burned and the walls and roof began to fold in on themselves.
The mansion wouldn’t open its doors until Jan. 5, 2018, after heavy restoration efforts. The building eventually became the home to Husk, a popular fine dining restaurant. According to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the rehabilitation included a new roof structure, reconstruction of the parapet and the addition of a central skylight. All reconstructions and renovations were made while maintaining as many historic qualities as possible.
Built, abandoned, burned and reborn, 12 West Oglethorpe has had a varied history over its 100-year existence. After all the building has been through, one can only wonder what the next century will hold.
