1850 Tenement House in Savannah, Georgia - Historical Photo

This vintage photograph captures a tenement house located in Savannah, Georgia, specifically in Chatham County. The structure, dating back to around 1850, is characterized by its clapboard siding, a common architectural feature of the time. The image is part of the Carnegie Survey of the Architecture of the South, which aimed to document significant buildings throughout the southern United States.

Frances Benjamin Johnston, an influential photographer, created this work as part of her extensive documentation of American architecture. Her focus on the living conditions within these tenement houses provides insight into the historical context of housing in Savannah during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

This photograph, acquired from the estate of Frances Benjamin Johnston in 1953, serves as a valuable resource for understanding the architectural and social history of Savannah. It is preserved in the Library of Congress, ensuring its availability for future generations interested in the heritage of this region.