Photo courtesy of Back River Photography

On my beloved visits to Savannah, Georgia, I have my own ritualistic route of stops I tend to make. Among them, I pay my respects to the residents of Colonial Park Cemetery. I take long and leisurely strolls, appreciating the beauty of each elegantly manicured square. I mosey down Bull Street and stop by E. Shaver Bookseller, where I get my feline and literary fixes, often leaving with a book or two. And then, of course, there’s Savannah’s beautiful architecture, which constitutes its own admiring walking tour.

I roam the sidewalks outside my favorite Savannah homes, taking in all their splendor, often convincing myself that each residence is more beautiful than I last remembered. But there’s one in particular, a townhouse mansion located on East Oglethorpe, that causes my casual stroll to slow and eventually come to a long-standing halt.

As I peer up at the three-story manor, I allow my mind to wander, to see through the brick exterior, past the walls, as my imagination lands into the rooms I conjure up inside my head. I envision all this dwelling has endured in its one hundred and sixty-nine years of existence.  

“One day, I’m gonna go in there…”

I’ve repeated to my husband time and time again on many occasions. He always, reassuringly, shakes his head. Tolerantly, he allows me to stop and gaze and wonder. Patiently, he lets me do my thing, lets me get it all out of my system, for he knows it’s part of my Savannah routine, and afterward, we will soon ramble on to our next destination.  

Across the street, in the grassy median, stands a historical marker that tells the story of this place: one of the most historically significant homes in Savannah, Georgia.

The History

In the early morning hours of February 27th, 1901, a frantic and bare-foot, eleven-year-old Conrad Aiken fled No. 228 East Oglethorpe Avenue and ran across the street to the nearby police station. He explained to the officer on duty that his father had just shot his mother. When the dispatched officer arrived at the residence, he found both the boy’s parents deceased. After shooting Mrs. Aiken, Dr. Aiken had turned the pistol on himself.

The brick row house served as the childhood home for Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Conrad Aiken for the first eleven years of his life. His parents’ murder-suicide that occurred in the residence would later play a pivotal role in many of Aiken’s literary masterpieces.

Conrad Aiken would grow up to become a legendary short-story writer, novelist, critic, and essayist. He would also be credited for editing the works of Emily Dickinson and being instrumental in her posthumous popularity. Aiken would be the first Georgia author to win the Pulitzer Prize and would later become the U.S. Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress from 1950-1952, a title now known as the U.S. Poet Laureate.

Today, after an extensive renovation, Aiken’s childhood home on 228 East Oglethorpe Avenue is currently on the real estate market for $4.7 million. Thanks to the owners and their realtor, Staci Donegan of Seabolt Real Estate and Christie’s International Real Estate, I was granted the privilege of touring one of Savannah’s most exclusive private homes.

This newly remodeled historical townhouse mansion built in 1855 is located in Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District. The $2.5 million renovation added 2,000 square feet of living space to the rear of the home, bringing the five-bedroom, five-bath residence to a little over 6,000 square feet.

The new addition offers the primary suite, two bedrooms, and a large chef’s kitchen overlooking the back garden. A second kitchen was also added on the garden level along with an elevator spanning all three floors. All new appliances, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems were also added.

During the renovation, the owners were adamant about respecting the iconic home’s original architectural designs. Among the restored features are the home’s front exterior brickwork and façade and the inside’s crown moldings, medallions, pine floors, and marble fireplaces.

With all the newly added modern amenities and the restored charm of 19th-century architecture, 228 East Oglethorpe Avenue offers, not only the best of Savannah living, but a home rich in literary history.

Photo courtesy of Back River Photography

The entrance to the grand staircase, breathtaking. The front parlor view overlooking the elegantly draped live oaks, romantic. The revived period details, stunning. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows welcome an array of Savannah sunshine that gleams throughout the house. And the nine fireplaces add an intimate warmth to this historic mansion.

I could stay in this house forever but, for me, a mere afternoon visit was a dream come true.

Sincere thanks to the owners and Seabolt Real Estate for allowing me to tour the magnificent childhood home of Conrad Aiken.

For more information on 228 East Oglethorpe

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Cover photograph of the Historic Conrad Aiken House, courtesy of Back River Photography.