Tomochichi Federal Building and United States Court House

This magnificent structure was renamed the Tomochichi Federal Building and United States Court House in 2005. The tribute is profoundly fitting, considering it sits on Wright Square, the very site where Tomochichi, the Yamacraw Indian Chief, was buried in 1739. Tomochichi formed a vital friendship with General James Oglethorpe back in 1733. Because of their alliance, Oglethorpe was able to ensure the peaceful founding of the Georgia colony. Their cooperation is a defining reason why the city survived its fragile early years. Notice how the majestic Tomochichi Federal Building has gracefully weathered over a century of change in Savannah, retaining its striking 1899 architecture even as modern life continues to evolve around Wright Square. Take a peek at your screen to see the impressive 150-foot marble bell tower rising from the northern side of the building, complete with open arcaded loggias, which are covered exterior galleries. But true to the city's nature, this pristine monument hides bitter human flaws. Long before this stunning Second Renaissance Revival structure was built to mimic grand Italian palaces, this exact piece of land hosted a much smaller courthouse... and a massive scandal. Enter John Wesley, the famous preacher and founder of Methodism whose time in Georgia ended in complete and utter disgrace. Wesley found himself tangled up in a disastrous romance with a young colonist named Sophy Hopkey. When the relationship fell apart and Sophy married another man, a bitter public feud erupted. Well, Sophy's furious new husband sued Wesley for defamation of character. He dragged the preacher right before the local magistrate at the old courthouse that used to stand right where you are looking now. That tension between noble facades and tragic reality has haunted this site ever since. Even the current building's original architect, Jeremiah O'Rourke, was fired during construction in 1894 after a nasty power struggle. Local lore says his supporters carved his face into the marble exterior as a permanent, petty act of revenge. And sadly, the shadows over the site continued into the present day. In April of 2023, during a massive ninety million dollar renovation, a portion of the third floor collapsed due to insufficient support, injuring workers and halting the project entirely.