Savannah Cotton Exchange
Savannah Cotton Exchange
Savannah Cotton Exchange
Savannah Cotton Exchange
Savannah, GA 31401
Savannah Cotton Exchange was built in 1886 and was one of the first major buildings to be constructed entirely over a public street. The building was built using red brick with a terra cotta façade, iron window lintels and copper finials and copings. The Cotton Exchange is one of the best examples of the Romantic Revival period.
The Exchange's massive front pocket doors were red oak and weighed about 450 pounds. In the front of the exchange, an elaborate iron fence with detailed medallions of famous statesmen and authors encloses a statue of a griffin and landscaped fountain. The fountain measures over 5 feet tall and was constructed in 1889.
The Savannah Cotton Exchange building was completed in 1887. During this time Savannah ranked first as a cotton seaport on the Atlantic and second in the world. Georgia became one of the leading cotton producer in the country and Savannah was one of the major cotton seaports on the Atlantic. In its peak year in 1914, the Cotton Exchange moved 3 million bales of cotton. But by 1920 the building became obsolete due to the boll weevil
Today the historic building is a Solomon’s Masonic Lodge and is open to the public on special occasions.
