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
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