GORDON ROW: The Gordon Row was built in two phases between 1852 and 1854. In the first phase, the 3 or 4 houses on each end of the block were built and in the second phase the middle portion was built. There are a total 15 houses in the row.

The houses were built in the Federalist (US) or Regency Style (UK). This style went out of fashion about 1810. Each house is four stories high and contains about 3,300 square feet. The Federalist Style emphasizes square boxiness, plain decorations and duality or mirror image rooms.

The Row was speculatively built; meaning that the homes were built as a lot then sold rather than individually designed for the owners. As a result, each of the 15 houses was nearly identical.

When built originally, the cost per house was between $3,500 and $4,000. The market was country planters, or farmers, who wanted a house in town for their visits to Savannah.

When originally built, the kitchens were on the ground level. The house was only two rooms deep with matching, or mirroring, windows facing the front and the back porch.

It was after the War Between the States, also known as the War of Northern Aggression, the first floor was made into a separate apartment and the kitchen moved to its present location.

Documentation of ownership for the 117 house first appears in 1867 in the name of a Jewish lady. This neighborhood was popular with Jews as the synagogues were near. Judging by the names on the deeds, it seems that for the balance of the 19th century, the house was owned by various women in the same Jewish family.

It was right around 1900, that a local doctor purchased the house and it became his home and office. It was at that time that he purchased the adjacent building, 119, and had it attached to give room for his growing family.

In the 1950’s, the 117 house was owned by Jim Williams of the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, book fame. The house was then owned by a gay couple who made the house into a Soho Style warehouse loft removing the residential architectural features.

Robert McAlister acquired the house in 1974 and began the first of several restorations. At first his private home, he began the Bed & Breakfast Inn in 1978 to help pay for the renovation costs.

McAlister is a man of various talents but a clearly checkered past. His career includes university teaching in political science, Budget Director for the cities of Savannah and of El Paso, Texas, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Savannah, and Registered Lobbyist to the Georgia General Assembly.

Mr. McAlister has also assisted the United States Government in various, largely naval, matters. He is a world traveler with significant collections of Asian antiquities and art pieces. McAlister’s various local achievements include first President of the Coastal Heritage Society, Board Member Science Museum, Rotarian, organizer of the first Asian Festival, Board Member of the local 1996 activities, Savannah Treasurer, Downtown Neighborhood Association, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee Member, and St. Andrew’s Society. He has been known to impersonate General James Oglethorpe complete with white wig, red coat and sword. He has also been accused, with some basis, of being a professional Scotsman. He now spends his time reading from his extensive library, perhaps the largest in Savannah, and smoking cigars.

He is married to the former Mary Lynn Watson. They have three children and three grand children. Their daughter, Holly, is the waitress at the inn. Mrs. McAlister has headed the Savannah Rape Crisis Center for more than 20 years.