Savannah Architects: John Norris

Savannah Customs House

John Norris was born in 1804 in New York City. He was raised and lived there. He first made his living as a stonemason. His learning of this craft would help him develop into the architect he would become. After reaching the status of architect in New York City he moved to Wilmington, North Carolina in 1839. After overseeing several projects he received his first commission to design the Wilmington Custom House in North Carolina in 1843.  

It was during the Custom House project that he came to the attention of Savannah leaders. He was asked to design the Savannah Custom House. He moved to Savannah in 1846 where he would live and work until 1860. The successful design of the Savannah Custom House brought him numerous other projects in Savannah. These projects included some of the most prominent houses in Savannah. He designed the Green-Meldrim House which is noted as one of the best examples of residential Neo-Gothic architecture in the South. He built for at the time a home for the wealthiest men in Savannah: Andrew Low. He was commissioned to design what has become one of the most famous homes in Savannah featured in the book and film Midnight in the Garden of Good And Evil: Mercer House.

Because Norris was a proponent of fireproofing buildings and the fact that Savannah had several great fires in its fairly recent history he was given many public projects. The Massie Heritage Center an outstanding example of Greek revival architecture. It was dedicated to the education of poor children. The building features a gable roof, wood cupola and cornice, and a unique connecting passageway. It was one of the first public schools in Georgia. Norris was also commissioned to design the Cockspur Lighthouse between Fort Pulaski and Tybee Island. He was commissioned to design the Jingle Bells Church or the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah that after several moves now sits on Troup Square. He also was the designer of Savannah College of Art and Design of the Greek Revival Norris Hall on East Broughton Street. It was originally a home for widows.
John Norris was one of Savannah’s greatest architects. One of his remarkable attributes was his ability to master many architectural forms: Italianate, Gothic Revival, Greek Revival to name three. This ability enabled him to create the rich and varied cityscape of Savannah.

​Because the Civil War was upon the nation Norris left Savannah to return to New York City in 1860.  He eventually bought a farm in Blauvelt, in Rockland County, New York, where he lived until his death in 1876.

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Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah

Mercer House

Massie Heritage Center

Green-Meldrim House