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Savannah’s Haunted Historic District – New Franklin Ward and Wharf Lots

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New Franklin Ward and Wharf Lots

Situated between Yamacraw Bluff and the Savannah River is this narrow ward that is now an entertainment or tourist district. It was here in 1733, that the first settlers stepped off the Anne under the leadership of General James Edward Oglethorpe, to create a new colony with Savannah as its capitol. Over time, enslaved Africans were unloaded here providing labor for the nascent city and as warehouses were constructed, this area became a place where they lived, worked, and died, leaving their spirits and energies to permeate the atmosphere.

This ward incorporates all the buildings and warehouses from the north side of East Bay Street to the river. Due to the location of these buildings between streets and with different elevations, some of these locations may have up to three different addresses, depending on where their entrances are located.

Savannah City Hall (2 East Bay Street) – In an article in the Savannah Morning News regarding recent renovations, Savannah’s mayor, Van Johnson, remarked on hearing “strange noises, sounds of ghosts,” within the 1904 building. 11

24 East Bay Street – When Circa Savannah opened at this address in 2011, a press release was issued stating that paranormal investigators discovered a “major ghost portal” being used by a wide array of spirits from the city’s past. The store’s owner noticed paranormal activity as soon as he began opening the store including the sounds of parties and large groups in parts of the seemingly empty building, disembodied footsteps, and objects moving on their own volition. 14

Vic’s on the River (26 East Bay Street) – Occupying a warehouse dating to the end of the Antebellum era, Vic’s on the River is believed to be haunted by a French mariner whose love life was anything but lucky. Some years ago, a wedding cake brought in for a wedding the following day was found on the floor. Seeking the culprit, staff looked at security video to find that it slid off around 3:30 in the morning without the aid of anyone, or anything, living. The restaurant’s paranormal hotspot is the fifth floor, where the mariner’s spirit is most active. 10

Two Cracked Eggs Café (202 East Bay Street) – This warehouse building, once the home to Melonie’s Antiques, is home to several active spirits. While interviewing store staff, author and investigator James Caskey had something tugging at his glasses. When he took them off, he discovered that one lens was loose and the screw holding the lens in place was missing. He later discovered it in his shirt pocket.

The shop’s owner had numerous items fling themselves off the shelves and damaged once they hit the floor. In addition, a woman in blue appeared and would disappear within the shop. In one case, she walked in the front door ahead of an employee but vanished inside the store. 4

208-230 East Bay Street (Lower Stoddard Range) – Construction on this large warehouse began in 1858 when it was built for local businessman John Stoddard on the foundations of several older warehouses. Today, this building houses several businesses and restaurants, including the Boar’s Head Tavern (see below). 12

Chart House Restaurant (202 West Bay Street) – Reports of paranormal activity in this restaurant date to its opening in 1979 when a group of employees encountered the apparition of a little girl one evening after close. Over time, staff and customers have seen the apparitions of a woman and a “blue man,” as well as experiencing the feeling of being watched and poltergeist activity. The building may be one of the oldest buildings in the ward, dating to at least 1818. 7

East Broad Street Ramp – According to author and tour guide Robert Edgerly, a well-known fisherman in this area was attacked by an alligator crushing his head in its jaws. The man’s headless spirit has been seen lurking and has been blamed for tripping people as they ascend the steep staircase to Bay Street. 9

Jere’s Antiques (9 North Jefferson Street) – According to author and investigator Al Cobb, phantom children haunt this antique store. 5

Factor’s Walk – This street between warehouses and the bluff long saw the brutal employment of enslaved people who have left their spiritual mark here. 6

Graveface Museum (410 East Lower Factors Walk) – The Graveface Museum is an oddities museum providing a “glimpse into the human condition through actual artifacts and decades worth of research on topics ranging from true crime, cults, sideshow history, 1950s roadside attractions, secret societies, and the occult.” Housed in an old, haunted warehouse, the museum displays items from notorious serial killers like Ed Gein and John Wayne Gacy, as well as objects that may come with spirit attachments, creating an atmosphere that is buzzing with spirits and paranormal activity. In fact, visitors can book an after-hours tour of the museum seeking chills and spirits. 1, 3

Olde Harbour Inn (508 East Factor’s Walk) – A fire that damaged this building either in 1892 or 1907 (sources differ) killed a man named Hank. His spirit is perhaps the most active spirit here messing with doors, faucets, and even laying down in beds with guests. 2, 4, 6

Boar’s Head Grill & Tavern (1 Lincoln Street, in the Lower Stoddard Range) – As with other businesses in this building, staff and patrons of this popular eatery have encountered apparitions, spirits that like to play with the faucets in the restrooms, disembodied footsteps, and a spirit that will tell exiting diners to “have a good night!” 7

River Street – Once lined with docks and warehouses, River Street is now one of the most popular tourist districts in Savannah. According to Al Cobb, this street possesses a breathtaking spiritual atmosphere. 6

Cotton Exchange Tavern (201 East River Street) – Some years ago, a manager arrived one morning at this restaurant to open for the day. He entered the only door at the front and headed straight for the bar to turn on lights when he noticed someone sitting at the table just to right of the door. The shadowy figure rose from the table and walked into the dining room. As he peeked into the room, the figure had become a large orb drifting through the air. He quickly fled into the street where he waited for the other employees to arrive. 9

Shrimp Factory (313 East River Street) – This Savannah institution located within an Antebellum warehouse, boasts the spirit of an enslaved man in one of its storerooms. Nicknamed “Ol’ Joe,” the spirit is harmless and has been heard rattling around in the room. He has also been accused of occasionally drinking from the beer kegs store there. 13

Sea Cabins (423 East River Street) – This inn which formerly occupied this address, was known to have a mischievous entity that removed lightbulbs from guestrooms. 9

503 East River Street (formerly Savannah Harley-Davidson) – Like most buildings along this street, this building was constructed as a warehouse for George Kollock in 1854. The Kollock family not only operated a business here but had a family home in the upper stories where George passed away in 1889. Standard Oil occupied the structure for many years before it was returned to its original function as a warehouse. In the late 1970s, the building was the home to the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum before it moved to the William Scarborough House in 1996. Following the museum’s move, Harley-Davidson of Savannah took over the building installing a dealership here.

It was during the time this building hosted Harley-Davidson that the spirits began to make themselves known. Staff members frequently heard odd noises throughout the building including the laughter of children in the upstairs portion. In 2011, a sensitive visited stating that there was a portal behind the bathroom wall upstairs. Apparitions of a woman in a lacy dress and a man in a suit with a wide-brimmed hat have also been encountered here. 7

Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub (117 West River Street) – Opening in 1981, Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub was a Savannah institution until its closure in 2019. Tourists and locals alike crowded this friendly pub Irish to raise a pint while taking in traditional Irish music in the music room. Inside this old warehouse, elements attesting to the building’s dark past involving enslaved laborers remain on the walls. Spirits also remain here including a mischievous entity that once threw bricks at a customer. 4, 8

River House Seafood (125 West River Street) – During an evening at Kevin Barry’s in 2019, I asked the bartender about ghosts in the pub and in the area. He mentioned that he had friends working at River House who had multiple encounters with ghosts and spirits.

Sources

“About The Museum.” Graveface Museum. Accessed 24 August 2021.
“The 6 Most Haunted Hotels in Savannah GA.” The Tatted Nomad. 11 October 2022. https://tattednomad.com/the-6-most-haunted-hotels-in-savannah-ga/.
Butler, Brooke. “Haunted Savannah: Exploring the mysterious voices, happenings at downtown’s Graveface Museum.” WJCL. 29 October 2021.
Caskey, James. Haunted Savannah: The Official Guidebook to Savannah Haunted History Tour, 2008. Savannah, GA: Bonaventure Books, 2008.
Cobb, Al. Danny’s Bed: A Tale of Ghosts and Poltergeists in Savannah Georgia. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2000.
Cobb, Al. Savannah’s Ghosts II. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2007.
Dunn, Ryan. Savannah’s Afterlife: True Tales of a Paranormal Investigator. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2014.
Dunn, Ryan. Savannah’s Afterlife II: More True Tales of a Paranormal Investigator. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2018.
Edgerly, Robert. Savannah Hauntings! A Walking Tourist Guidebook. Savannah, GA: Bonaventure Books, 2005.
Fowler, Damon Lee. “Haunted Savannah restaurants with good food and ghostly guests.” Savannah Morning News. 13 October 2020. https://www.savannahnow.com/story/entertainment/columns/2020/10/13/haunted-savannah-restaurants-with-good-food-and-ghostly-guests/43048323/.
Lasseter, Evan. “On Our Radar: City of Savannah unveils recent City Hall restoration. See it here.” Savannah Morning News. 16 August 2025. https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/local/2025/08/16/savannah-news-update-restored-city-hall-open-to-public-see-it-here/85674380007/.
Lower Stoddard Range. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 24 August 2025.
Minor, Elliott. “Georgia Ghosts.” Athens Banner-Herald. 28 August 1995.
Preston, Michael. “A Major Ghost Portal Discovered at the Historic Storefront of Circa Savannah.” PR Web. 26 September 2011.
Savannah City Hall. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Accessed 3 September 2025.