#6: The Gingerbread House
Ships of the sea I loved not half so well
As these:—who wore strange beauty all their own—
The mighty river boats that I have known
And have long lost, save that I still may find
Their mirrored likenesses within my mind.
—Garnett Laidlaw Eskew
(American Steamboats—1929)
Steamboat Gothic and The Gingerbread House
The tick-tock of time leaves old technologies behind—soon to be forgotten in the dustbin of history.
Steamboat Gothic architecture originated in the American South and was particularly employed in the design of the mansions located on sugar plantations situated along the Mississippi River.
The Steamboat Gothic architectural style is unmistakable with other styles, except perhaps with Carpenter Gothic architecture. Both styles are characterized by being built with timber, rather than other common building materials; timber was abundant in states along the large rivers of our country.
Steamboat Gothic homes are always at least two stories tall and built with elaborate wraparound porches, often on multiple sides of the house. The décor was designed in wood and made possible by the development of steam-powered scroll saws, which allowed for mass production. The unmistakable similarity in the look and feel of these mansions with the ornamental riverboats steaming and paddling up and down the Mississippi River resulted in the style being aptly named: Steamboat Gothic.
Often, wealthy riverboat captains styled their own mansions built on the banks along the Mississippi; their homes thereby had a familiar look to the boats they captained up and down the river below.
Here in Savannah, you can catch a ride on a grand old riverboat named The Georgia Queen, which is one of the best ways to experience the Savannah River and its surroundings.
But while onshore, and to more fully experience the Steamboat Gothic architectural style, be sure to visit The Gingerbread House located at 1921 Bull Street.
Gingerbread, of course, is a term that encompasses a wide variety of sweetbreads, cakes, and cookies made from the popular spice of ginger that has been served as both treats (and cures for various maladies) since medieval times. Such treats are usually decorated elaborately—thus, the common look and feel the name Gingerbread House has with its flamboyant Steamboat Gothic architectural style.
The Gingerbread House was built by Cord Asendorf, an immigrant from Germany who became a prominent Savannah citizen as the proprietor of a grocery store located for years on the corners of Jones and Habersham Streets. Mr. Asendorf also owned a saloon, and during his long life became a successful real estate investor in the city of Savannah. In 1898, Cord purchased the land upon which he built The Gingerbread House that became his family’s home for the next 75-years.
The painting en plein air of these elaborate porches has always been a delicious treat for me. I have yet—but will do so one day soon—attempted a detailed oil painting this beautiful home so wonderfully deserves. The embellishments this mansion so prominently displays will be a unique artistic challenge.
Luba’s Gingerbread House painting in progress.
