Twickenham neighborhood traces its roots to the eighteenth century plantation called Brewton Hill. One portion on the plantation was known as “Turckenham” but, thanks to a spelling error by an unknown mapmaker, the name survived as “Twickenham.” In the twentieth century, residential development began in 1914, when Twickenham Terrace was promoted as a new streetcar suburb. House construction began on Goebel Avenue, adjacent to the Savannah Golf Club.
Although developers stressed the affordability of Twickenham Terrace to prospective homeowners and the subdivision’s accessibility to downtown via streetcar, many new residents found its location near the railroad wharves on the river as the deciding factor. Men employed by Atlantic Coast Line Railroad were commonly homeowners in Twickenham because they could walk to work
Other hard-working families found Twickenham to be attractive and they took pride in the homes they built. Morningside Baptist Church became a cohesive factor for the neighborhood, especially in the 1950s when the number of neighborhood children grew dramatically with the “baby boom.” Family life was often entwined with church activities.
In 1980s, the stability that had characterized Twickenham for decades began to unravel. The older generation that had spent their productive lives in the neighborhood sold or rented their property; “white flight” claimed other established families. By the 1990s, the number of renters almost equaled the number of homeowners. However, in recent years, younger people who appreciate Twickenham’s affordable homes and convenient location have begun to move into the neighborhood. The same advantages that attracted Twickenham’s first residents almost one hundred years ago now appeal to a different generation.
Two-story home in Twickenham
Photograph by Geoff L. Johnson.
Courtesy of City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs.
Two-story homes, such as this home on Lawton Avenue, were more common in Twickenham than in other eastern Savannah neighborhoods.
Fulcher Family, ca. 1919
Courtesy of Larry Jenkins.
James Robert Fulcher, who worked for the Atlantic Coastline Railroad police, moved his family to Twickenham about 1919. In this photograph, he poses with his six children in the back yard of their new home.
Girls on horseback
Courtesy of Doris Blessington.
In the late 1940s, there was still plenty of open room for girls to ride their horses through Twickenham.
Mother, daughter, grandmother in Fulcher family
Courtesy of Doris Blessington.
The proximity of Southeastern Shipyard to Twickenham allowed Dolores Fulcher, left, more time to balance her work at the shipyard with her responsibilities as wife and mother.
Venetian Blind Truck
Courtesy of Doris Blessington.
James Rollo Fulcher ran a venetian blind business from his Twickenham home on East Gwinnett Street. Other small businesses located in Twickenham included neighborhood grocery stores.
