Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF), which is currently celebrating its 70th anniversary as well as National Preservation Month in May, is honored to announce the inaugural list of at-risk historic buildings as part of its newest local advocacy initiative, Historic Savannah Foundation’s Endangered Places. The nonprofit organization’s Spring 2025 list consists of six properties threatened by demolition, neglect, lack of maintenance, inappropriate development or insensitive public policy within Chatham County. 

Launched in January 2025, HSF’s Endangered Places Program called upon the community to nominate properties with local architectural, cultural or historical significance. The initiative, which is modeled after the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s Places in Peril program, is designed to raise awareness about endangered buildings, provide helpful resources and encourage community involvement in local preservation efforts. 

“We had a tremendous response from the community for HSF’s Endangered Places program and received many nominations for buildings that are an important part of Savannah’s treasured history,” said Historic Savannah Foundation Director of Preservation and Historic Properties Ellie Isaacs. “With the support of the local community, we hope these endangered properties will be preserved for generations to come.” 

The Spring 2025 list of HSF’s Endangered Places includes:

LePageville Memorial Cemetery (c.1885)

The LePageville community and burial ground are important to the history of Savannah and Chatham County. Records estimate that at least 500 people were buried at LePageville between 1885 and 1967. Originally part of Brewton Hill Plantation, this land also served as the site of the Battle of Brewton Hill on December 29, 1778 during the American Revolutionary War, and later became known as Causton Bluff Plantation in 1852. 

LePageville Memorial Cemetery is beyond recognition as a burial site due to extensive overgrowth. The property suffered from neglect and abandonment when the LePageville Community was condemned and torn down by local officials in 1967. Over the last decade, new development has threatened the site, and it has been used as a spot for unhoused encampments and trash dumping. LePageville Memorial Cemetery Inc. owns and maintains the property, but preservation efforts are beyond the financial means of the grassroots organization, which largely consists of descendants of the former residents and buried relatives. 

Nicholson Baptist Church (c.1870-1890)

Located at 13319 Old Coffee Bluff Road, the Nicholsonboro Baptist Church (formerly Nickersonville Baptist Church) was established in 1850 on St. Catherine's Island on the plantation of Jacob Waldburg. Approximately 200 formerly enslaved Africans migrated to the mainland in 1868 following the rescinding of General Sherman's Field Order #15. The first Praise House was constructed in 1870, and a second sanctuary was built in 1890. The Georgia Historical Society recognized the church’s importance to the Nicholsonboro community with a historic marker in 1978, and the church was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Identified as a historic property at risk, Nicholson Baptist Church was named to the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation’s 2025 Places in Peril program. The 1870 and 1890 buildings are among the few remaining intact examples of the architecture found in Southern rural churches of the late nineteenth century. The combination of an aging congregation, age of the buildings, natural elements and a lack of critical maintenance due to the inability to fund the work have resulted in ongoing deterioration.  

The Roche Walker House (c.1891)

The Roche Walker House, located at 123 East Henry Street, was constructed in 1891 for Florence M. Roche and lumber mill supplier Patrick C. Roche. The deed was in Mrs. Roche’s name, which was unusual for the time. By 1900, the house was sold to William T. Walker, who owned a successful furniture company on Broughton Street. The Walkers lived at the residence for over 20 years, and alterations were made to the property in 1959.  

Located on a prominent corner location on Henry Street, the Roche Walker House stands as a solitary reminder of a once dense Victorian streetscape. The rest of the historic structures on the southern portion of the block have been torn down to create parking lots. The architecturally significant high-style Queen Anne property has been vacant for several years, and other than some exterior painting in 2022, the lack of maintenance is becoming even more apparent with broken windows and a tree hitting the building on the rear of the lot. 

John B. Berry House (c.1856)

The John B. Berry House at 127 East Gordon Street is a contributing building to Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District that has long suffered deferred maintenance and neglect. The home was completed in 1856 and remains an intact example of hall-parlor configuration and Italianate-style architecture. According to Ethos Preservation, a large wood, three-story porch was added to the west facade of the building between 1898 and 1916. The porch was bricked to create an enclosed addition between 1937 and 1954. The original ornamentation remains intact, including window crowns, a prominent bay window and quoins.

HSF has been in contact with the current owner of the John B. Berry House, who states that the home will be rehabilitated soon. A contractor has been selected, and work permits have been filed. We can’t wait to see this historic building come back to life!

Station 6 Firehouse (c.1900)

Located at 2202 Barnard Street, the Station 6 Firehouse was built in 1900 by W. M. Armitage and opened on April 20, 1901 with a clock tower in the western corner of the front pedimented gable. The two-story brick structure was extensively renovated from 1956 to 1957. In the 1970s, the station housed Squad 6 and served as homebase for Engine 6, Truck 6, beginning in 1976. In 1979, the department started the Station Relocation Project, which ultimately led to the relocation of Station 6 to Liberty Parkway in 1983. Today, the building serves as a private residence.

The former Station 6 Firehouse has suffered deferred maintenance and is currently in a state of disrepair. Recent hurricanes have resulted in roofing issues, plus chipping paint, overgrown vegetation and masonry tagged with graffiti are additional concerns.

Isaiah Davenport Tenement House (c.1814)

This historic home at 124 Houston Street overlooking Greene Square is particularly significant to Historic Savannah Foundation due to its connection to master builder Isaiah Davenport, who held this property for 14 years until his death in 1827. Davenport purchased all of Lot 18 from Catherine Bourke on April 22, 1813. Further research would need to be completed to determine if the Davenport family ever lived at 124 Houston Street, however it seems unlikely. 

Maintenance concerns include flaking exterior paint, broken windows, missing shutters, and overgrown vegetation. Building maintenance is of the utmost importance, considering this property is potentially one of the last remaining residential structures associated with Isaiah Davenport.