Alexander Marcus Barbee

In 1875, a German immigrant and businessman, Frederick Wessels contracted Alexander Marcus Barbee  to build Heritage House and the other four town homes next to it (on Price and Taylor Streets).

Alexander was born in 1830 in St. Augustine, Florida.  Alexander completed Heritage House in 1876, which is a noteworthy year for several reasons:

1. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist was completed in 1876 (Abercorn and Harris Streets – you can’t miss it).
2. Construction began in 1876 on the present-day Temple Mickve Israel (Bull and Gordon Streets – again, you can’t miss it).
3. It was the 100th birthday of the United States.

Mr. Barbee had two children, including Alex M. Barbee II, who married Maggie Welsh.

Alex M. Barbee II and Maggie Barbee

During the 1880s, Alexander M. Barbee II was the conductor running the regular train route from the City Exchange on Bay Street out to Thunderbolt.  These rail cars initially were pulled by mules before they became electric.  Mr. Barbee II later became the conductor of the Isle of Hope line.

He then moved to Isle of Hope and started the world famous Barbee’s Terrapin Farm. Thousands of visitors toured the farm before it closed.  Mr. Barbee II also built a family pavilion which is still in operation on Bluff Drive in Isle of Hope.

Mr. Barbee II had a pet turtle named “Toby”  that could wink an eye and turn over.  Many Savannahians spent a leisurely Saturday afternoon at the pavilion, playing with turtles and talking to Mr. Barbee II.

Next Generations

Mr. Barbee II married Maggie Welch and they had 2 children, Gertrude, and Will Barbee.  Will had three children, Gertrude, Ann and Alexander. Alexander had two children, Kathy & Bill. Bill had a son, Alex Barbee IV.

I used to work with a man whose son went to high school with Alex Barbee IV. Many of the Barbees still live on Isle of Hope or in Savannah.

Want more history? Read about the Frederick Wessels and his family.

Or, learn more about Heritage House, a historic district vacaton rental.