Reconstruction Photographs

Reconstruction-Era Photographs of Savannah
by William Wilson

Under the Bluffs, ca. 1890
The Whitaker Street ramp has changed little in the last century.
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Woman with Basket, ca. 1890
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Moon-Shine, ca. 1890.
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Boys with Ox, ca. 1890
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Ox-Cart on Barnard Street, ca. 1890
Note the Telfair Mansion in the background. The men on the left are members of the Knights of Pythias. This photograph clearly illustrates the diversity of Savannah’s city streets before the city expanded and formal segregation took hold.
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Ox-cart on West Broad Street, ca. 1890
The West Broad Street School, now The Ships of the Sea Museum, can be seen in the distance.
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Topsy’s Wedding, ca. 1890
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Wharf Scene, ca. 1890
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Wood Gatherers, ca. 1890
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)

Negro Sunday School, ca. 1890
(Courtesy of the Georgia Historical Society, William Wilson Collection)