Demand
for ironwork fell off after the war but
the 1870s saw the opening of ne w foundaries
including McDonough and Ballantyne, S. W.
Gleason, Rourke and Kehoe. By the turn of
the Century the demand for ironwork had
fallen off again and although foundaries
remained in operation, very little decorative
work is produced. Much of the city's beautiful
ironwork has been removed over the years.
Some was destroyed, while other pieces found
new homes. The iron fence that once surrounded
10 acres of what is now Forsyth Park was
taken down and portions of it used throughout
the city.
Despite the
depradations of time, much wonderful decorative
iron can still be seen gracing Savannah's
fine historic homes, squares, cemeteries
and businesses.
Gate at left
is wrought iron of recent manufacture,
crafted of hammered iron stock by Savannah
blacksmith John Smith
