The Haunted 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn
Posted: 12.02.2024 | Updated: 12.11.2024
Savannah, Georgia, offers a breathtaking dive into genuine Southern hospitality while enjoying remnants of the past that are still alive and well today. Flowing from its signature antebellum-designed architecture and oak-draped squares to its cobble-stoned streets and charming boutiques lies a rich history and atmosphere that truly makes Georgia’s oldest city feel like home.
The 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn located at 307 E President St. offers a small, yet significant example of this. Inconspicuously situated a stone’s throw away from the breathtaking view of the Savannah River, the 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn remains one of Savannah’s oldest eateries and inns with a renowned reputation for providing a cozy fine dining and lodging experience. It’s also said to be home to some spirits that inhabit what is supposedly the most haunted city in the United States.
Curious about why Savannah, GA holds such a chilling reputation? Come and see for yourself. Book a spot on our chilling ghost tour with Savannah Terrors while spots are still open!
Is the 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn Haunted?
The 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn proves that ghosts can lurk in unexpected locations, especially when they hide a tragic past within the city they reside in. Guests often visit this historic establishment for its vintage decor that transports them back to the 1800s, while creating a cozy atmosphere.
Some visitors have experienced more than they bargained for, discovering that their stay added to the inn’s eerie reputation, particularly in room 204. Story has it that a couple once checked into the room one day, but abruptly left in the middle of the night, why? That’s just the beginning of the ghostly encounters reported at the 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn.
History of the 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn
The 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn gets its name from a pivotal turning point in Savannah’s aftermath of the American Revolution. The days of war and obscurity as a simple settlement were behind its residents, as Savannah moved forward and developed into a township, along with a few hundred frame buildings, a mayor, and a city council. Rough times still lay ahead for this southern gem, however.
It was originally built in 1820 as three separate buildings to be used as a boarding house by Virginia planner, Steele White. He was killed in a riding accident before the building was even finished. Disaster fell on the boarding house and on most of Savannah that same year. A fire rampaged through the city, leaving but a handful of buildings still standing and two out of every three residents homeless.
A yellow fever epidemic followed and wiped out entire families, claiming almost 900 victims in total. A small graveyard not too far from the restaurant and inn served as the final resting place for many of them, including whole clans. The 17Hundred90 was rebuilt as one building in 1821, with its basement slate floor and exposed concrete walls believed to be left over from the fire.
Today, the family-run establishment maintains its decades-long tradition of providing top-notch service, while plunging guests into Savannah’s past. Period-style decor tastefully defines each of the inn’s rooms, with some even having a brick fireplace for an extra cozy stay.
The 17Hundred90 also features a renowned restaurant and tavern on the basement level. The dim lighting and antique furnishings create a timeless ambiance that attracts regulars. However, the inn is also known for its reputation among ghost enthusiasts, as it is believed to be inhabited by the living and the dead.
Hauntings Overview
It is no secret that the 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn has been a dwelling place for spirits over the decades. However, one ghost frightens female staff in the kitchen and restaurant area. She was once an African American servant who took pride in her culinary skills…and her deep involvement in Voodoo.
Even in death, she refuses to retire her apron. Waitresses have reported being physically harassed by her territorial ghost in various ways: pushed in the back, slapped, and flicked. She sometimes pushes silverware off tables and plays mischievous tricks on them.
This spectral chef has no reservations about making her presence known either. Female staff members can hear the jangle of her bracelets as if to assert her authority. Additionally, she rattles pots and pans, occasionally removing them from their hooks and letting them fall to the floor.
Whether this culinary spirit acts out of malice or a troubled past remains uncertain. Once, a maintenance worker heard someone crying from the kitchen while working. He went in to investigate, armed with a knife, only to find that no one was there.
With Savannah’s history as a port city, the 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn has also been home to many merchant marines, one of whom never left. Little is known about him, except that he’s very laid back.
His ghostly figure has been seen in period-appropriate marine attire, listening to the piano player in the restaurant or wandering through the garden area. He even assisted a staff member who was closing the restaurant one evening by turning off the light, which the staff member couldn’t do without a chair.
Room 204
The story of Anne Powell is a well-known story in Savannah’s history. Several versions of what happened to her have circulated throughout the years, but all of them lead to the same unfortunate ending for the 16-year-old woman who once resided in room 204.
One story has it that Anne was unhappily married to an Englishman who, although not the ideal husband, built the large home for her which presently houses 17Hundred90. It was all in vain, as her heart belonged to a German sailor. The last thing she saw was his ship setting sail before she threw herself down to the brick courtyard below.
Anne’s ending may have been tragic, but her ghost has developed a lively reputation in room 204. It is now the most sought-after room for ghost enthusiasts and the curious, with a log book to record their experiences, which are endless:
- Anne’s ghost has been seen sitting in the chair by the fireplace. She is also known to hide any guests’ personal belongings in odd places should they leave them on the mantel.
- She has been known to lay out guests’ clothes neatly on the bed while having a particular affinity for ladies’ undergarments. Two women staying in room 204 found that their undergarments were missing from their suitcases one day. They later found them draped on the branches of the inn’s Christmas tree in the tavern.
- She has been known to yank the covers off couples and throw their covers up in the air.
- Anne is also known to respond positively to kind and respectful guests. In ghost terms, this means allowing them to get a good night’s rest.
Haunted Savannah
Savannah remains one of the most popular cities to visit in the United States, embodying southern charm, through its stunning architecture and cornucopia of history. It’s almost easy to forget that much of it is soaked in blood and tears filled with ineffable horrors. It makes Savannah the perfect nesting ground for lingering spirits and the most haunted city in the U.S.
However, some of its establishments have a dark history of their own, such as the 17Hundred90 Restaurant and Inn. The restaurant and inn remains nestled in Savannah’s heart as one of the city’s oldest establishments. It’s also known to be filled with spirit activity, making it a place of curiosity for ghost enthusiasts.
Savannah Terrors await you! Book a ghost tour with us today and experience the otherworldly side of the most haunted city in the U.S. Until then, read our blog for more chill-ridden stories, and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Sources:
https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/2016/01/11/today-georgia-history-savannah-fire/13943019007
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