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Joseph Thompson built the Eliza Thompson House in 1847 for his wife, Eliza. It was the first house built on Jones Street and the first in the Monterey Ward. It was the third house built by Joseph for his lovely wife and their seven children. It was completed November 6, 1847. Joseph, whose portrait hangs in the R. Bruce room, had served on several bank boards and made a living buying and selling cotton. He also financed the building of special homes to sell to others. After Joseph's death in 1855, Eliza was left a widow to raise their children, five daughters and two sons. Being a strong, independent woman, Eliza did not turn Joseph's investments over to a banker or lawyer to manage, but managed them herself and kept her beautiful mansion on Jones Street. She loved to entertain and did so frequently in her courtyard. She usually had a staff of 5 to 7 servants.
The house remained in the Thompson family after her death on February 9, 1875. Two of her daughters remained in the house until the early 1920s when it was sold to a doctor. In the 1950s the house was sold to a dentist and remained his office and living quarters until 1977 when Jim and Mary Widman purchased the property and made it into an Inn in 1978.
The Main House was built in two stages. The original structure was built in 1847, with a second section, consisting of what is now the front parlor, the Chatham and the J. Stephens rooms added around 1870.
The original carriage house was about to fall apart in 1980 so the Widmans had it raised and built the current thirteen-room structure based on the French Quarter style of New Orleans. The back section of the current carriage house stands on the foundation for the original structure and is only about 5 ˝ inches taller than its predecessor. The top story was originally used for sleeping quarters for the one male indentured servant. The second floor housed a hayloft, granary, storage room and laundry and had a balcony made of wood. There were no openings on the ground floor into the courtyard; entry for the horse was from the lane only. Laundry was hung overhead between the two buildings and the courtyard was used for entertaining as well as a vegetable garden.
In 1995 an extensive renovation was done to the property, painting all the rooms in historically correct colors and refinishing room floors. A 40-foot container of antiques was brought back from England for the furnishings. HLC Hotels purchased the Eliza Thompson House in February 2002 and added it to its historic collection of Savannah Inns.
Today, Eliza Thompson House maintains its place of honor on Jones Street, which Southern Living Magazine calls “the most beautiful street in Savannah.”
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Deluxe continental breakfast each morning Wine, Cheese and hot hors d’oeurves each evening Dessert Hour with fresh decaf coffee and pastries |
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Located in the heart of historic downtown Savannah, Eliza Thompson House is with in walking distance to many area attractions such as Ms. Wilkes, Forsyth Park, The Mercer House and many more. |
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