Thomas Gibbons Range

The Thomas Gibbons Range is a building in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Now comprising eight properties, it is located on West Congress Street, in the southeastern civic block of Ellis Square in Savannah's City Market. Built in 1820, it is the oldest building on the square,^[1] and the oldest operating commercial building in Savannah.^[2] It is part of the Savannah Historic District and was built, towards the end of his life, for Thomas Gibbons (1757–1826), a planter, politician, lawyer, steamboat owner and the plaintiff in Gibbons vs. Ogden. The building was erected by his son William.^[3][4] Gibbons had owned the lot since 1809.^[2]

Thomas Gibbons Range
The building in 2021, viewed from Whitaker Street
General information
Location	Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Address	102–116 West Congress Street
Coordinates	32.0801484°N 81.093138°W / 32.0801484; -81.093138
Completed	1820 (204 years ago) (1820)
Technical details
Floor count	3
Design and construction
Architect(s)	William Gibbons

In 1943, Frank C. Mathews purchased the property at number 116, where he established Mathews Seafood. The following year, he purchased the adjacent number 114, and a local signmaker was commissioned to make a neon fish sign for the restaurant, now known as Sorry Charlie's Oyster Bar. The sign became a popular landmark, and the Historic Savannah Foundation designated it a historic artifact. (This is not the sign on the building today.)^[2] Sorry Charlie's expanded again, into 112 West Congress Street, in 2018.^[5]

The Lady & Sons, a restaurant owned by Paula Deen, has occupied number 102, at the Whitaker Street end of the building, since 1996.^[6]

Gallery

• 
  The corner of West Congress Street and Barnard Street in 2012
• 
  Looking back at Sorry Charlie's in 2016
• 
  Brickwork detail

See also

• Buildings in Savannah Historic District

References

1. Historic Building Map: Savannah Historic District – Historic Preservation Department of the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission (November 17, 2011), p. 7
2. The Gibbons Range Building – Sorry Charlie's official website
3. "Steamboats on the Hudson: An American Saga - Thomas Gibbons". www.nysl.nysed.gov. New York State Library. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
4. Galvani, William (1999). Mainsail to the Wind: A Book of Sailing Quotations. Sheridan House, Inc. p. 193. ISBN 9781574090673. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
5. Sorry Charlie's Oyster Bar – Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, September 5, 2019
6. "The History of The Lady & Sons" – The Lady & Sons official website