Welcome to your stay at one of Savannah’s most storied addresses — a home built in 1848 by the enterprising and influential Captain Henry James Dickerson.

Captain Dickerson was a prominent figure in Savannah’s maritime and commercial history. Born in Maryland in 1813, he arrived in Savannah at age 19 as a sailor and swiftly rose through the ranks of commerce. Through hard work and frugal living, he built a fleet of ships, became one of the city’s first large-scale stevedores, and eventually held roles in banking and public service, including serving as Savannah’s Harbor Master.

In 1848, Captain Dickerson purchased Lot 1, Tything 4, Anson Ward, which became the site of the stately brick home now standing proudly at York and Abercorn Streets — the very property where you are staying. The home, constructed before the Civil War, bore witness to a bustling port city, endured the scuttling of ships during wartime, and even housed Savannah’s social elite.

This residence became the anchor of Dickerson’s legacy, surviving the turmoil of the Civil War and the dramatic changes of Reconstruction. It stood as a symbol of ambition, resilience, and success in Savannah’s storied Historic District. Captain Dickerson lived here until his passing in 1883 from an aneurysm of the brain.

Over 170 years later, the home still retains its grace and grandeur — now reimagined to welcome guests from around the world. As you enjoy your time here, know that the walls around you once belonged to one of Savannah’s great maritime pioneers, a man whose vision helped shape this city’s port and legacy.

Captain Dickerson’s work as an early stevedore wasn’t just a personal success — it helped chart the course for Savannah’s future. In the mid-1800s, stevedores like Dickerson played a vital role in transforming the port from a small regional hub into a gateway for global commerce. Their logistical expertise, grit, and entrepreneurial spirit laid the foundation for what would become one of America’s great maritime cities.

Today, Savannah’s port is a powerhouse of international trade. It ranks as the fourth busiest container terminal in the United States, and it continues to expand rapidly — fueling tens of thousands of local jobs and shaping the economic landscape of the entire Southeast. The legacy of pioneers like Captain Dickerson lives on not just in buildings and biographies, but in the heartbeat of Savannah itself.

Staying in this historic home offers more than charm — it offers a direct connection to the maritime spirit that still drives the city forward.