You Should’ve Seen it in Color

Savannah Family Photos, 1898-1921

“That’s the story of my life, right there in black and white. You should’ve seen it in color. Yeah, a picture’s worth a thousand words, but you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered. You should’ve seen it in color.”
“In Color,” © 2008, Lee Thomas Miller, James Otto, Jamey Johnson, DO WRITE MUSIC LLC

Savannah’s Wards

Savannah, Georgia, America’s first planned city, was founded in 1733. Each of the settlement’s original grid-style wards were designed around a central square. These charming public spaces continue to appeal to residents and visitors alike. By 1940, there were around 200 distinct named wards in Savannah. The ward system was apparently abandoned shortly afterward.

William L. Grayson Properties

Our maternal great-grandfather William Leon Grayson (1870-1941) was a respected merchant, officer in the state militia, civic leader, and long-time clerk of the Chatham County Superior Court. He and his family owned a townhome at 6 East Anderson Street in Savannah since he was a teenager.

A quick aside: A 1938 city tax document indicated that widowed William owned properties in five different Savannah wards, all south of Forsyth Park. The document did not provide specific addresses.

Cuthbert Ward abutted the north end of Forsyth Park, bordered by Bull St. (W) and Abercorn (E). The Grayson townhome at 6 E. Anderson St. was located at the SW corner of this ward.
Estill Ward was four blocks south and west, between 34th (N) and 38th Sts. (S), Barnard St. (W) and Bull (E).
Teynac Ward was four blocks east of Estill across the railroad tracks, bordered by Habersham (W), East Broad (E), Hamilton Ct. (N), and 40th (S).
Glatigney Ward abutted Teynac to the east, E. Broad (W) to Paulsen St (E).
Finally, Harman Ward abutted Glatigney to the east, with Waters Ave. as its eastern border.¹

122 Anderson St./6 E. Anderson St.

E. F.R. Grayson (age 48) and William L. Grayson ( age 25)

The house at 6 E. Anderson St., near the NW corner of Bull St., was in the Grayson family for more than 50 years. Edward F.R. (1847-1901) and Laura A. (Patterson) Grayson (1847-1916) – with their only child William – moved to then #122 Anderson St. before 1889, its address being re-designated as #6 East Anderson around 1897.

William’s new bride Lillian M. Turner (1872-1936) joined them in February 1893. Five children were born in the house: Lynne (1893), William T. (died in infancy), Spence (1900), Dorothye (1903), and Leon (1906), our beloved grandfather. Edith (1912) and William M. (1915) were born in a nearby hospital. Their grandfather Edward Grayson died in the house in 1901. Photos, captions, and an 1898 Sanborn fire insurance map note the home had a cow yard and three structures, including servants’ quarters. When William L. died in 1941, the house was sold. By 1951, its entire block had been completely razed. An unattractive concrete monstrosity has now occupied the site for longer than the house did.

Lovingly Preserved Photo Album

Leah and John Grayson, grandchildren of Spence, are our second cousins. We met for the first time recently, and they shared some photos from a lovingly preserved album depicting the neighborhood our respective grandfathers grew up in. On the backs of many of these photos were dates and descriptions.

821 E. Anderson St.

Here I must mention that the photos attest that the Graysons had a family connection to a second house at 821 Anderson Street, eight blocks to the east between Paulsen and Harman Streets. At the 1910 census, a family from South Carolina named Mitchell lived in it and claimed ownership. Though William’s mother Laura and her sisters (two of whom who lived with William’s family) were also from South Carolina, the Mitchell connection is as yet unknown. 821 E. Anderson is still standing.

A 2024 real estate listing made this claim: “Welcome to 821 East Anderson Street, a historic home with ties to the illustrious William Leon Grayson. This residence has been witness to the rich tapestry of Savannah’s history… This home, dating to circa 1898, exudes the timeless elegance of Savannah’s architectural heritage. From the charming front and side porches to the ornate details throughout, each corner tells a story of the city’s past.”²

The home at 821 E. Anderson recently served a a bed and breakfast called “The Grayson House,” as evidenced by a still-active Google Maps location marker.³The house lies within the former Grayson Ward – Anderson (N) to 35th (S), Paulsen (W) to Ott (E).

Neighborhood Photos

“*Bull & Anderson St. House, 1907. Lynne.*“

“*Lillian T. Grayson, Leon H. Grayson, Grandma Turner, Dorothye T. Grayson, Spence M. Grayson, abt. 1907*” Lillian’s widowed mother **Margaret Johnson Turner** (1844-1910) lived nearby with another daughter. A second photo identifies the location as “*corner 821 E. Anderson house*” and the horse as “*Frank.*”

Leon looking east in front of the Grayson home, ca. 1910. Lillian and Spence (and Frank?) look on. The Lawton Memorial Auditorium across Bull St. in the background was built in 1898 and now serves as St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church. Bull Street appears to be gravel or clam shell, while Anderson St. seems to be rutted dirt.

“*Bull and Anderson St. House, Edith H. Grayson, Sutter’s House. abt. 1914*.” Note the facade (l) does not match the 1907 photo with Lynne. Perhaps the earlier one was taken from the back? The Sutter family lived at 8 E. Anderson St. in the 1900, 1910, and 1920 censuses.

“*~~Anderson St. house~~ 1918-21 Bull & Anderson St. house*” Note the upper floor has been screened and and awning added since 1914. If the subjects are (l-r) Leon, Dorothye, Lillian, and Edith then the year is closer to 1918 than 1921.Of interest: The U.S. flag being flown has only 45 stars (adopted 1896) rather than 48 (adopted 1912), based on the offset of the stars.

The Grayson family at Lawton Memorial Auditorium facing Anderson Street, 1921. Front: William M., Dorothye. Middle: Lynne, Lillian, Edith, William L., Leon. Top: Spence.

¹ Boundaries source: Savannah Ward survey maps, 1939-1940, Digital Library of Georgia https://dlg.usg.edu/collection/gsg_scswsm?page=23 accessed 10/01/25

² Zillow real estate listing https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/821-E-Anderson-St-Savannah-GA-31401/14159064_zpid/ accessed 10/01/25

³ https://maps.app.goo.gl/PPL3QJqwVTtGMrSz9 accessed 10/02/25