If you’ve thumbed through brochures enticing you to visit Savannah, Georgia (and you should, you know!), you’ve probably been charmed by a dreamy photo of the main drive lined with over-arching live oaks leading to Wormsloe Historic Site. The site was home to Noble Jones (1702-1775), a humble carpenter who later distinguished himself as a doctor, constable, and city planner. In 1973, the state of Georgia acquired the land on which this elegant avenue stands along with the tabby ruins of Jones’ home and the beautiful property surrounding it.
But it’s clearly the trees that are star performers at Wormsloe. Planted in rows leading up to Jones’ home, historic live oaks drape the avenue with verdant leaves, resurrection fern, and swaying Spanish moss.
Designated the Prettiest Place in Georgia by Conde Nast, according to a report by the Atlanta Constitution-Journal, Wormsloe (named for Jones’ township in England) draws thousands of visitors to its property each year. Located only 15 minutes from Savannah on Skidaway Road, the property opens its tree-lined drive leading to a museum, gift shop and tabby ruins daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We were fortunate to find a parking spot near the ticket booth so we could gaze down the expanse of the tree-lined avenue. And then we took this elegant drive, slowly as we could, to the end.
At the gift shop, we parked again so we could explore the land on which Noble Jones built his home. All that remains of the estate are ruins composed of tabby, a sort of concrete made of broken oyster shells, ash, water, and sand. We’ve seen examples at other sites, but Wormsloe’s tabby walls are among the largest.
Close-up looks at Sabal Palmetto fronds made them seem more like art than mere plants in the afternoon sun.
But even with all that’s to see on this plantation, we still knew the real draw was that initial one-and-a-half mile drive from the archway leading us down the avenue lined with live oaks. It’s a sight we’ll remember. And one we recommend you see when you visit Savannah.
Thanks, Mr. Jones, for making Wormsloe the Prettiest Place in Georgia!
Travel through the trees,
Rusha & Bert
For all our posts on Savannah, Georgia, click here.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Seeing your posts from Savannah, I so want to visit it on of these days
Oh, the Places We See
Put it on your list. It’s worth the wait. Thanks for commenting.
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
Absolutely I will 😀
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
it is there now on my bucket list
beth
i’ve always wanted to visit savannah and see the beautiful cemeteries and oh, wormsloe!
Oh, the Places We See
It’s a photographer’s heaven — hope you get there soon. It’s especially nice in spring, but I can imagine that fall would be lovely as well.
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Klausbernd
WOW, that’s really impressive and well photographed. Interesting the history as well.
Thanks for sharing
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks! Your kind words mean a lot to me. Wormsloe is a beautiful place, one worth seeing again!
rajkkhoja
Wow. Wonderful place nice historical.
Oh, the Places We See
It really is a special drive through those trees!
Curt Mekemson
A lovely road, Rusha. You captured it well. I love it when trees form a bowers over a road or trail. –Curt
Oh, the Places We See
It’s magical not only that it was planted but that it has endured! And we’re happy we were there when few other tourists were driving through. Thanks for taking a look!
lulu
So much history in the area.
Oh, the Places We See
Very true. I’ve enjoyed reading about some of it. Wormsloe was a surprise. I had thought the plantation home built after the tabby house would be a part of it all, but it’s a private residence now. All so interesting.
WanderingCanadians
How gorgeous. I have yet to visit Savanah, but when I do, Wormsloe Historic Site will for sure be on my itinerary. I’m surprised the path doesn’t look very busy, but I imagine that’s because of COVID and all the travel restrictions.
Oh, the Places We See
I think you’re right. We hit it at a good time. I wanted a shot with few cars and got it! Thanks for taking a look.
thegenxtravels
I have not been to Savanah but it is on my list! Love those trees!
Oh, the Places We See
It’s a glorious old Southern town filled with history and beauty! Come on down!
thegenxtravels
I would love it!!
Amy
Breathtaking, Rush. I can only imagine drive through the path with these beautiful trees on both side. Beautiful photos.
Oh, the Places We See
Amy, you would love taking pictures at Wormsloe! Such beautiful plantings in a historic setting. Glad you liked the post!
Toonsarah
That drive is so beautiful! I guess in ‘normal’ times it would be harder to get the almost car-free shots that you achieved? I also love your shots of the palmetto, like abstract art or architecture 🙂
Oh, the Places We See
We were lucky that so few people were there. We even found a parking spot! And those palmetto fronds really did look artsy just standing in the sun!! Thanks for commenting!
Rose Vettleson
What delightful photos. I feel like I’m there walking under the canopy of trees.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. It really was a great drive under this canopy!!!
dawnkinster
I’ve been to Savanah once, it was beautiful. And somewhere on one of our trips I remember a driveway quite a bit like this, but certainly not so long. I think it was a plantation in Lousiana. I love the Spanish moss hanging in the trees, you’ve really caught the feel of the Old South in your images!
Oh, the Places We See
We loved in Louisiana for years, and you’re so right. There are many lovely drives and those same elegant trees. But this is one of the best we’ve seen. So glad it wasn’t crowded that day so we could linger and enjoy. Thanks for commenting.