Who was killed in the Mercer House?

In 1969, 11-year-old Tommy Downs fell from the roof of the house and was killed after being impaled on the iron fence on the West Gordon Street (southern) side of the house. It is believed he was hunting pigeons.

Was Jim Williams found guilty of murder?

He played an active role in the preservation of the Savannah Historic District. Williams is the main character in the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, published four years after his death in 1990. After four trials for an alleged murder that occurred in his house, he was acquitted.

What happened to Jim Williams?

He died from a simple case of pneumonia, but the location of his death was remarkable. In that same room on May 2, 1981, Williams shot and killed 21-year-old Danny Lewis Hansford.

Where is Danny Hanson buried?

Greenwich Cemetery
Hansford, 21, was buried in Greenwich Cemetery, which is adjacent to Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah. He is buried beside his mother, who died in 2005 at age 65.

What is the prettiest street in Savannah?

Jones Street
Jones Street is said to be the prettiest street in Savannah. It has a claim to be among the most appealing in the United States too, a reputation that rests upon the picture presented by Jones Street’s characteristically high-stooped mid-19th century homes and its impressively arching live oaks.

Who owns the Mercer House in Savannah?

preservationist Jim Williams
After a century of prominent residents, the house was purchased by famed Savannah preservationist Jim Williams. Williams spent two years restoring the Mercer House and today guests can take tours to experience its sophisticated charm.

How much of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is true?

The truth of the story highlights the crime of murder by wealthy, gay Savannah socialite, Jim Williams, and his employee in his antique business and lover, Danny Hansford. The remarkable part of the crime is that Jim Williams was tried four times for Hansford’s murder. This was omitted from the movie version.

Is Midnight in Garden of Good and Evil true?

When the author, John Berendt, wrote “The Book” as it is now referred to by residents of Savannah, Georgia, he did what many writers do. He combined fact with fiction.

Who killed Billy Hanson?

Murder Victim. He was shot to death in the study of the Mercer House at 429 Bull Street in Savannah, Georgia, on May 2, 1981 by the home’s owner, Jim Williams. Hansford was Savannah’s most popular male escort of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Is it safe to walk in downtown Savannah at night?

Be careful if you are around places like River Street at night. Drunken party goers may make the local streets unsafe. If you don’t like alcohol, keep to areas where there is less activity. Many people suggest avoiding the square west of Market Street as can be a gathering place for criminals at all hours of the night.

What is the prettiest street in America?

Acorn Street in Boston:

• Acorn Street in Boston is often called America’s most beautiful street.
• Beale Street in Memphis shines with neon lights in the evening.
• Elfreth’s Alley is the oldest residential street in the nation.

Can you tour the Mercer House in Savannah?

The first floor of the Mercer-Williams House Museum is open daily for public tours. The hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. On Sunday, the tours are given from noon until 4 p.m. Please note, the home is not fully accessible for those with physical disabilities.