Lion with Wings on Fountain - Savannah, GA
Posted by: nomadwillie
N 32° 04.834 W 081° 05.400
17S E 491506 N 3549370
The Guardian Winged Lion has been watching over the same spot since 1889
Waymark Code: WMGD9D
Location: Georgia, United States
Date Posted: 02/17/2013
Views: 16
Cotton was king in the late 1800s. The Factors wanted a build as a trading center. The City had to pass an ordinance to allow the construction of the building on the site and did so on Nov. 18, 1885. The Exchange Board of Directors then advertised for an architect. They chose Boston architect William Gibbons Preston. After consulting and designing, ground was broken in June 1886. The grand opening of the building was held on Sept. 19, 1887. The guardian fountain lion was also designed by Preston. It was installed 2 years later on Oct. 15, 1889. FYI, Preston also designed other local buildings including Independent Presbyterian Church, Guards Amory, Baldwin Mansion and my favorite, the old Hotel DeSoto. The building was occupied by cotton factors until about 1947. Then various other businesses had offices in the edifice. The Savannah Chamber of Commerce moved in there in 1954. The Freemasons brought it about 1976
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