John S. Norris
John Norris, a New York City native, was born in 1804. Throughout his life, his career transformed significantly and his legacy has left behind some of the most notable works of his time period..
His journey is unlike most famous architects. He did not attend college to earn a degree, but rather worked his way up the ladder going from working as a mason, to becoming a builder, to later designating himself an architect.
By the year 1839, Norris’s career path took him to Wilmigton, North Carolina. He oversaw and designed multiple buildings during his time in Wilmington, including Gothic, Greek Revival, and Italian style buildings. This included mansions, a bank, a hall, and notably, he oversaw the construction of the St. James Episcopal Church, designed by architect Thomas U. Walter.
After the St. James Episcopal Church project ended, Norris was selected to be the architect for the Wilmington Custom House. This significant project was the start of his career as an architect, and is largely attributed to his continued success. Word of his great talents got to the city of Savannah, and upon winning a design competition for the Savannah Custom House, he was awarded his first project in the city. The Savannah Custom House was completed in 1852, and exhibits a Greek Revival architectural style.
His next project in Savannah was a Gothic Revival building, the Georgia Historic Society Library. Following this project, he went on to design yet another Gothic Revival style building for the Chatham Artillery. By 1848, with a few major projects under his belt in the city, Norris was commissioned to take on the 46’ tall, brick clad Cockspur Island Lighthouse. While the lighthouse is no longer in service, it has been in the National Park Service’s possession since 1958, and is currently undergoing renovations.
Located just steps from the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist across Lafayette Square is another one of Norris’s works. The Andrew Low House, now a museum, was built in 1849. This 19th century home was also a Greek Revival style building, and housed Andrew Low, an important businessman at the time, and later, Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Later, Norris designed the First Presbyterian Church in the city. Due to the financial issues outside of his control, the project was paused, and would not resume until after Norris had left Savannah to return to New York. This church is often credited to his associate, DeWitt Bruyn, who oversaw the project at the onset of construction.
Another of John Norris’s works that draws a crowd is the Green-Meldrim House on West Macon Street. Completed in 1856, this Gothic style house is considered to be one of the greatest architectural marvels of that style in the country. This same year, Norris’s Massie School House was also constructed. This was a work of high importance in the city, being one of Savannah’s very first schools.
Arguably, Norris’s most prominent work in the city of Savannah was the Mercer-Williams House. Though this Greek and Italian style mansion, situated on Monterey Square, is of significant architectural importance, the history of the happenings in and around this house equally fascinates visitors to this day.
Through his fourteen year span of living and working in Savannah, Norris managed to leave a significant footprint in the city, still marveled by the public over sixty years later. With his knowledge and magnificent execution of multiple architectural styles, Norris enhanced Savannah’s cityscapes with a diverse array of buildings spread throughout the city streets. Norris is a great example of a skilled worker who transformed his career and life through sheer talent and determination, and the city of
Savannah is fortunate to house some of his greatest works.
