A Mansion of Elegance and Sorrow
The Andrew Low House stands in Savannah’s historic district like a grand sentinel of the past, its stately brick façade and intricate ironwork whispering stories of wealth, tragedy, and intrigue. The front garden remains much as it did in the 19th century, with two hourglass-shaped flower beds framing the entrance. In the rear, a shuttered piazza looks out over a walled garden, where the echoes of history seem to stir with every rustling leaf.
Designed by renowned New York architect John Norris, this lavish home was built between 1848 and 1849 for Andrew Low, a Scottish immigrant who arrived in Savannah at just sixteen. His rise in the cotton trade was swift, but fortune did not shield him from heartbreak. Before he could step across the threshold of his completed home, his wife, Sarah, and their young son had passed away. Grief haunted the halls before the first candle was ever lit.
Years later, Andrew found love again, marrying Mary Cowper Stiles, the daughter of a U.S. diplomat. Yet, even as the house filled with new life, the weight of the past lingered. When the Civil War came, Andrew was accused of aiding the Confederacy and imprisoned at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor. His house, a beacon of Savannah’s wealth, now carried the scars of war.
Famous Footsteps in the Halls
Many great figures have crossed the threshold of the Andrew Low House. English novelist William Makepeace Thackeray visited twice, his presence lending a literary air to the stately rooms. But perhaps the most famous guest was General Robert E. Lee.
In 1870, as Savannah welcomed the war-worn commander with a hero’s cheer, Lee found solace within these very walls. The Low family hosted a dinner in his honor, where he reunited with old comrades from battle—Generals Joseph E. Johnston, Andrew Lawton, and J.F. Gilmer. It was a night heavy with the weight of history, as the men, now gray and weary, reflected on a war that had left its mark on them all. Before he left the city, Lee sat for a photograph with Johnston, the two old soldiers captured in time, seated across from one another in a moment of quiet contemplation.
The Birthplace of the Girl Scouts
Not all stories of the Andrew Low House are shrouded in grief. Within these walls, a spark of inspiration ignited a movement that would shape generations. Andrew’s son, William Mackay Low, married Juliette Gordon, a spirited young woman who would one day change the world.
After a turbulent marriage that ended in scandal—her husband took a mistress and invited her to live in the family home—Juliette found herself widowed in 1905. It was here, in the place that had once been a source of heartache, that she created something extraordinary. Inspired by her friendship with General Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, Juliette established the Girl Scouts of America in 1912. The first meetings were held in the carriage house, and from that humble beginning, a movement was born.
Shadows That Linger
The Andrew Low House does not rest easily in its history. Those who walk its halls after dark often speak of unseen presences, spectral whispers, and the unnerving sense of never being alone.
One spirit said to roam these rooms is Mary Cowper Stiles, Andrew’s second wife. A housekeeper has described seeing a blonde woman in period dress, always appearing with a sense of deep sorrow. Perhaps she still searches for the children she lost, unwilling to let go of the past.
Then there is Tom, the Loyal Butler, a ghost as devoted in death as he was in life. Guests and staff have reported objects moving on their own, as if a careful hand were returning them to their rightful place. Heavy footsteps echo along the stairwell, and for those fortunate—or unfortunate—enough to see him, a stately older gentleman in period attire has been spotted standing at the top of the stairs.
And what of General Robert E. Lee himself? Some claim his spirit remains tied to the house, though he never seems to acknowledge the living. His ghostly presence is believed to be a residual echo—an imprint of history replaying itself, the specter of a man lost in memory.
But the most chilling occurrence of all belongs to Andrew Low himself. A rocking chair, a cherished family heirloom, has been seen moving of its own accord. It is said that Andrew still sits there, silently watching as visitors marvel at the home he so carefully built.
A Darker Secret Beneath the House
Recent discoveries suggest that the foundation of the Andrew Low House may conceal an even darker past. Old maps hint that before the mansion stood, this very spot may have been the site of a jail. If true, the walls may hold not only the sorrow of the Low family but the restless energy of those who once suffered behind iron bars.
For those who visit, the Andrew Low House offers more than a glimpse into Savannah’s grand past. It is a place where history refuses to fade, where the echoes of love, loss, and legacy still drift through the corridors, waiting for those who dare to listen.