432 Abercorn Street was built in the year 1868. This house was to serve as a home for Civil War veteran Benjamin J. Wilson and his family. At the time, the three-story home was considered the most expensive in Savannah, valued at over $20,000. 432 Abercorn Street is one of many original buildings surrounding the gorgeous Calhoun Square in Savannah, Georgia. Though this present-day attraction has a dark history; the square was once a burial ground for African enslaved people and Native Americans. This is one of the many explanations of why the antiqued home has been associated with hauntings.
The Design
In its Greek Revival style, the home had an intricate cast-iron entryway on its facade, five hung windows, and three large bay windows showcasing either dark louvered shutters or antique crowned moldings. Though the left side of the house simply consists of windows, the right side of the house is impressively unique with its collection of windows and doors enclosed by a cast-iron balcony, columns, and spiral staircase. Unfortunately, the house was left empty for many years and became dilapidated over time, losing some of its original awe-inspiring appearance. However, around 2020, the house was put on the market and sold for over a million dollars and luckily, the new owners restored the home to its former state and added a few complements. The home even won the 2021 Historic Savannah Preservation award for its astounding renovation.
Stories of the Wilson Family
Due to the lack of documentation on General Wilson and his family, misinformation and rumors have spread. This has motivated locals to create legends about the home and the family. One piece of true information is that General Wilson’s second wife was taken out by the third wave of yellow fever in Savannah in 1876. The other stories we can chalk up to local fabrication. One such story is about General Wilson’s cruelty to his daughter. According to the legend, General Wilson’s daughter enjoyed spending time with the children who attended the Massie School, one of Savannah’s oldest public schools that sat across the street from 432 Abercorn Street and is still standing today. General Wilson did not approve of his daughter’s socialization with the school children and punished her by putting her in a chair in front of the living room window and tying her into place. After a few days of being bound to this position in the stifling heat of the home, the little girl is said to have died of dehydration and heat exhaustion. General Wilson died years later of natural causes and it is said that neither member of the family has left the home. However, contrary to the legend, historical reports indicate that General Wilson died in Colorado Springs, CO. and that his daughters lived to adulthood.
The House Today
Currently, 432 Abercorn Street is one of the most well-preserved free-standing examples of a Greek Revival-style residence in Calhoun Square. The home is also included in many of the ghost tours that the city of Savannah offers. Visitors can walk by the preserved piece of history that is 432 Abercorn Street and take a glimpse into the past or maybe, experience the paranormal!
