Savannah Grey Bricks: The Coolest Brick on the Block

Savannah Grey Bricks are the Tom Brady of building materials—durable, reliable, and ridiculously accomplished. These hand-formed beauties have been holding up Savannah’s most iconic structures for nearly two centuries, and they’re still stealing the show.

With a price tag that makes them the Birkin bag of bricks, they’re the ultimate symbol of Southern charm and status. Let’s break down their history, what makes them special, and where you can spot them on your next stroll through the Hostess City.

Born in the Mud, Raised in Savannah

Picture this: It’s the early 1800s, and Savannah, Georgia, is buzzing. Ships are coming and going, cotton is king, and the Great Fire of 1820 is about to roast half the city like a marshmallow. Enter Savannah Grey Bricks, the unsung heroes of the city’s rebirth.

These bricks were handmade at The Hermitage Plantation, just west of Savannah, on land owned by Henry McAlpin. The plantation sat on a rare deposit of bluish-grey clay—terrible for farming but chef’s kiss perfect for making bricks. Because of this it soon became home to Savannah’s largest brickworks.

Enslaved laborers shaped the bricks by hand, air-dried them, and fired them in wood-fueled kilns, creating a durable, oversized brick with a distinctive color and texture. All told, the brickworks produced some 60 million bricks.

Fun fact: That grey hue comes from the high iron content in the clay, which gave the bricks not just their good looks but also their resilience. Savannah Greys weren’t just bricks; they were the backbone of a city rising from the ashes—literally.

Savannah Greys Hit the Big Time

After the 1820 fire, Savannah Greys became the MVPs of the rebuilding effort. They were cheap, plentiful, and downright gorgeous. These bricks weren’t just for holding up walls—they were for making statements. By the mid-19th century, you couldn’t throw a pebble in Savannah without hitting a structure built with them.

But all good things must come to an end. By the Civil War, production of Savannah Grey Bricks had stopped, and the Hermitage Plantation went silent. Mass-produced red bricks, made cheaper and faster by industrialization, took over. Savannah Greys went from being the everyday workhorse to a coveted relic of the past.

Examples of Savannah Grey Bricks

Here’s the kicker: By the mid-20th century, Savannah’s historic buildings—and their Savannah Grey Bricks—were being bulldozed faster than you can say “urban renewal.” It wasn’t until the Historic Savannah Foundation was formed in the 1950s that people started realizing, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t tear down priceless history for parking lots.”

Thanks to preservation efforts, many of these structures still stand, giving you a chance to admire Savannah Greys in all their smoky-hued glory.

Even though production ceased nearly 200 years ago, Savannah Greys are still standing tall in some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Here are a few spots where these OG bricks shine brightest:

1. Owens-Thomas House

Regarded as one of the best-preserved Regency-style homes in America, this showstopper is a brick-and-mortar love letter to the craftsmanship of Savannah’s early days. Walk through its halls, and you’re surrounded by Savannah Greys that have seen more history than your high school textbook.

2. The First African Baptist Church

This historic church, rebuilt in 1855, is another Savannah Grey masterpiece. The congregation members themselves made the bricks at the Hermitage Plantation, creating a place of worship as enduring as their legacy.

3. Factors Walk

The cobblestone streets and towering warehouses of Factors Walk were built with Savannah Greys to handle the weight of Savannah’s cotton trade boom. Today, they’re a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the city’s bustling industrial past.

4. Fort Pulaski

This brick fortress on Cockspur Island took Savannah Greys to new heights—literally. Completed in 1847, the fort’s imposing walls were crafted from millions of these locally made bricks. The first picture on this post shows the color differences between regular red bricks and the greys. Savannah Grey brick is found in the lower walls. The rose red brick is from Baltimore, Maryland, and Alexandria, Virginia. The latter is harder than the Savannah Greys so it was used in the arches. Visitors often mistake the red brick for modern brick, but alas they’re just as old. It’s a must-see for history buffs and anyone who appreciates a good “built-to-last” story.

Why Savannah Greys Still Matter

Savannah Grey Bricks aren’t just pieces of clay; they’re pieces of history. Each brick carries the story of a city’s growth, resilience, and beauty. They’re a testament to the hands that shaped them, the walls they built, and the stories they continue to tell.

So, the next time you’re wandering the streets of Savannah, look a little closer at those weathered walls. You might just find a Savannah Grey staring back at you, whispering, “I’ve been here for 200 years—what have you done lately?”

Savannah Grey Bricks: the ultimate architectural mic drop. They’re rare, they’re historic, and they’re still holding it down. Literally.