Savannah, Georgia

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

This house on E. Hall Street, one block from Forsyth Park and the southern edge of Savannah's historic district, operates as the Savannah Pensione. Cheap rooms in a nice neighborhood. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Savannah is a city of rich and aged textures and surfaces, full of history and full of stories. As the saying sort of goes, if these bricks could talk... © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. Note the maid in formal uniform in the lower left corner. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. This house, like many in Savannah's historic district, was restored by the Savannah College of Art and Design and is used as part of its campus. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Forsyth Park, the biggest in Savannah. Nice during the day, but don't spend the night. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Forsyth Park, the biggest in Savannah. Nice during the day, but don't spend the night. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

The famously (infamously?) exclusive Oglethorpe Club. See _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

This house on Bull Street was once owned by Jim Williams and later became the office for Bouhan, Williams & Levy. The law firm represented Williams in his infamous murder trial; the porter at this firm 'walked' his inherited dead dog every day at nearby Forsyth Park. See _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

The infamous Mercer House, built by Johnny Mercer's great grandfather and home to Jim Williams and his annual Christmas party that was the premier social event among Savannah's elite. This is the scene of much of _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_, including the sensational shooting of local hustler Danny Hansford by Williams. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

The infamous Mercer House, built by Johnny Mercer's great grandfather and home to Jim Williams and his annual Christmas party that was the premier social event among Savannah's elite. This is the scene of much of _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_, including the sensational shooting of local hustler Danny Hansford by Williams. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Savannah is a city of rich and aged textures and surfaces, full of history and full of stories. As the saying sort of goes, if these bricks could talk... © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

The Congregation Mickve Israel, founded in 1733 and perhaps the oldest Jewish congregation in the South. Across the square from Jim Williams' house, it gave the Savannah eccentric pause after he hung a huge original Nazi flag from his window to spoil the shot of an unwelcome television crew filming a scene nearby. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

This museum, once home to and left by one of Savannah's most generous philanthropists, currently houses the iconic "Bird Girl" statue that adorns the cover of _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_. The statue, which once decorated a grave in Bonaventure Cemetery, was moved to the museum after tourist traffic threatened its survival. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Nothin' like families spendin' quality time together, watchin' live folk music in the basement of a Southern Methodist church. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Forsyth Park, the biggest in Savannah. Nice during the day, but don't spend the night. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

The infamous Mercer House, built by Johnny Mercer's great grandfather and home to Jim Williams and his annual Christmas party that was the premier social event among Savannah's elite. This is the scene of much of _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_, including the sensational shooting of local hustler Danny Hansford by Williams. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

This is the home of Lee Adler, nationally recognized preservationist and next-door neighbor to Jim Williams, himself a restorer of antique homes and furniture. The Adlers are still listed in the Savannah white pages, including phone number. See _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_ for the whole Adler story. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Colonial Park Cemetery in downtown Savannah, over 200 years old but nowhere near as creepy as the younger but darker Bonaventure Cemetery 20 minutes outside town. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Colonial Park Cemetery in downtown Savannah, over 200 years old but nowhere near as creepy as the younger but darker Bonaventure Cemetery 20 minutes outside town. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Savannah is a city of rich and aged textures and surfaces, full of history and full of stories. As the saying sort of goes, if these bricks could talk... © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Colonial Park Cemetery in downtown Savannah, over 200 years old but nowhere near as creepy as the younger but darker Bonaventure Cemetery 20 minutes outside town. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Colonial Park Cemetery in downtown Savannah, over 200 years old but nowhere near as creepy as the younger but darker Bonaventure Cemetery 20 minutes outside town. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Savannah is a city of rich and aged textures and surfaces, full of history and full of stories. As the saying sort of goes, if these bricks could talk... © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

St. John the Baptist Cathedral, the largest in the Southeast. The interior is comparable in scale and decoration to New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Colonial Park Cemetery in downtown Savannah, over 200 years old but nowhere near as creepy as the younger but darker Bonaventure Cemetery 20 minutes outside town. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

While 'pre-war building' in the New York City real estate market means built before WWII, in Savannah it means built before the days when Confederate and Union soldiers went at it up and down the east coast. The quaint little city is full of 19th-century homes originally built for wealthy plantation owners and old British money and carefully restored to their original splendor 150 years later. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Fort Pulaski, between Savannah and the Atlantic Ocean two miles away and the largest brick fort on the East Coast, or something like that. Many brutal Civil War battles were fought here. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Fort Pulaski, between Savannah and the Atlantic Ocean two miles away and the largest brick fort on the East Coast, or something like that. Many brutal Civil War battles were fought here. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Fort Pulaski, between Savannah and the Atlantic Ocean two miles away and the largest brick fort on the East Coast, or something like that. Many brutal Civil War battles were fought here. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Fort Pulaski, between Savannah and the Atlantic Ocean two miles away and the largest brick fort on the East Coast, or something like that. Many brutal Civil War battles were fought here. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Fort Pulaski, between Savannah and the Atlantic Ocean two miles away and the largest brick fort on the East Coast, or something like that. Many brutal Civil War battles were fought here. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Dark, still, quiet, creepy Bonaventure Cemetery, founded as a family plot two centuries ago about 20 minutes outside of Savannah. This sprawling, dirt road-covered site, situated on a river, is overrun by huge, sprawling live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, creating a canopy of dark green overhead. Scene of voodoo, sex and intrigue in _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_ and original site of the iconic "Bird Girl" statue that adorns the cover of that book. Many plots here have statues portraying those buried within the mostly above-ground sarcophaguses. Governors, generals, philanthropists and 'lesser' souls as well are buried here. Today, it's said by those so inclined that you can hear--but not see--the cemetery's 'ghost dogs' howling, barking, prowling and panting here late at night. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Dark, still, quiet, creepy Bonaventure Cemetery, founded as a family plot two centuries ago about 20 minutes outside of Savannah. This sprawling, dirt road-covered site, situated on a river, is overrun by huge, sprawling live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, creating a canopy of dark green overhead. Scene of voodoo, sex and intrigue in _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_ and original site of the iconic "Bird Girl" statue that adorns the cover of that book. Many plots here have statues portraying those buried within the mostly above-ground sarcophaguses. Governors, generals, philanthropists and 'lesser' souls as well are buried here. Today, it's said by those so inclined that you can hear--but not see--the cemetery's 'ghost dogs' howling, barking, prowling and panting here late at night. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Dark, still, quiet, creepy Bonaventure Cemetery, founded as a family plot two centuries ago about 20 minutes outside of Savannah. This sprawling, dirt road-covered site, situated on a river, is overrun by huge, sprawling live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, creating a canopy of dark green overhead. Scene of voodoo, sex and intrigue in _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_ and original site of the iconic "Bird Girl" statue that adorns the cover of that book. Many plots here have statues portraying those buried within the mostly above-ground sarcophaguses. Governors, generals, philanthropists and 'lesser' souls as well are buried here. Today, it's said by those so inclined that you can hear--but not see--the cemetery's 'ghost dogs' howling, barking, prowling and panting here late at night. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Dark, still, quiet, creepy Bonaventure Cemetery, founded as a family plot two centuries ago about 20 minutes outside of Savannah. This sprawling, dirt road-covered site, situated on a river, is overrun by huge, sprawling live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, creating a canopy of dark green overhead. Scene of voodoo, sex and intrigue in _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_ and original site of the iconic "Bird Girl" statue that adorns the cover of that book. Many plots here have statues portraying those buried within the mostly above-ground sarcophaguses. Governors, generals, philanthropists and 'lesser' souls as well are buried here. Today, it's said by those so inclined that you can hear--but not see--the cemetery's 'ghost dogs' howling, barking, prowling and panting here late at night. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)

Dark, still, quiet, creepy Bonaventure Cemetery, founded as a family plot two centuries ago about 20 minutes outside of Savannah. This sprawling, dirt road-covered site, situated on a river, is overrun by huge, sprawling live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, creating a canopy of dark green overhead. Scene of voodoo, sex and intrigue in _Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil_ and original site of the iconic "Bird Girl" statue that adorns the cover of that book. Many plots here have statues portraying those buried within the mostly above-ground sarcophaguses. Governors, generals, philanthropists and 'lesser' souls as well are buried here. Today, it's said by those so inclined that you can hear--but not see--the cemetery's 'ghost dogs' howling, barking, prowling and panting here late at night. © Shams Tarek (www.shamstarek.com)