Savannah has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all nations. They helped build the city and give it a rich, cultural flavor. The Heritage House is a byproduct of this legacy. It was built by German immigrant, Frederick Wessels, in 1876. Members of the Wessels family still live in Savannah today.
Here’s a brief history about the four generations of Wessels, who lived in and around the Historic District of Savannah.
Frederick and Anna Wessels
In 1876, Frederick Wessels reportedly paid Alexander Marcus Barbee $5,500 to build the Heritage House and the other four units next to it. The houses were designed as rental units, according to the Savannah Morning News article of July 21, 1876.
Frederick was married to Anna Wessels. He owned a grocery store and bar at the corner of Price and Huntingdon Streets just south of the Heritage House. Frederick and Anna welcomed a baby boy named Frederick II on October 26, 1877, based on city records.
Frederick II
Frederick II started the Atlantic Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1905 and married Adeline Kuck in 1907. Fire insurance was big business at the turn of the century, because Savannah burned down at least 3 times prior. Luckily General Sherman didn’t make it 4 times!
Frederick II said he started his company with “five thousand dollars, faith in the Lord, prayer and hard work.” The company was in operation until 1987 when it was acquired.
Frederick II was the head of the Savannah Housing Authority, and the “Fred Wessels Homes” housing project was named in his honor. (The project is near the intersection of East Broad and Wheaton Streets, but you don’t want to sight-see there. It’s a rough area).
Frederick II was also passionately involved with many civic groups including the Rotary Club, the German Country Club, the Oglethorpe Club (at the corner of Bull and Gaston Streets) and the Savannah Welfare Society.
Frederick II and his wife Adeline had a son, Frederick Wessels Jr., in 1909. Frederick II died in 1950 and Adeline died in 1956 at her home, 501 E. Waldburg Street. (You can see the outside of her home by heading south down Price and turning left onto Waldburg. Unfortunately this part of town is still being restored, so plan to make your trip during daylight hours).
Adeline was president of the local YWCA for 10 years. Her obituary states she was her husband’s “inspiration for his successful business career…”
Frederick Jr. and Rosalie Wessels
Frederick Jr. was the only son of Frederick II and Adeline. Fred Jr. carried on his father’s business and made it quite successful. He was also a WWII veteran and a committed philanthropist just like his father. Fred Jr. also had a penchant for politics, and served on the Chatham County Commission for 12 years. He and his wife Rosalie were married for 50 years, and together had 4 children: Ruth, Ann, Fred III and Charles. Both Fred Jr. and Rosalie are no longer with us.
Senator Charles and Marcia Wessels
We don’t have any bio information on Fred III, but his brother Charles continued to run the family’s insurance business and later became a Georgia Senator. He is most famous for securing the federal funds to build the new Talmadge Bridge over the Savannah River. That of course is the tall suspension bridge stretching over to South Carolina. The original bridge was built in 1972, and an even higher bridge was completed in 1991 for $70 million.
Senator Wessels was a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy, and he and wife Marcia had 2 children: Anne and Charles Jr.. So the Wessels still live in Savannah. (My sister knows Anne Wessels and her husband). Senator Wessels died accidentally in 2002 – he was walking along Bull Street, tripped and hit his head on the pavement.
Back to Heritage House, historic Savannah vacation rental.