The Olde Harbour Inn in Savannah is a historic building that dates back to the original stone foundation laid in 1812. The current structure was built in 1892 as a warehouse and later housed a variety of businesses before being converted into a hotel.
Warehouse and oil company (1892–1907)
The building was constructed as a warehouse on the riverfront, one of Savannah’s first.
A fire broke out in the warehouse in 1892, aggravated by 500 barrels of oil, and destroyed the original structure. No deaths were officially reported.
After the rebuild, the Tidewater Oil Company, which later became part of Standard Oil Company, occupied the building until 1907.
They stored and sold “Guardian Oil” (refined kerosene) inside, and oil stains from this period are still visible on the wooden support beams.
Alexander Brother’s factory (1930–1980)
The building sat vacant for more than two decades after Standard Oil’s departure.
In 1930, the Alexander Brothers Company moved in, operating a blue jeans and overall factory until 1980.
Conversion to hotel (1985–present)
The building underwent a complete renovation in 1985.
It reopened as the Olde Harbour Inn in 1987. HLC Hotels, Inc., a Savannah-owned company, purchased the inn in 1991, making it the first property in their collection of historic inns.
The Olde Harbour Inn is rumored to be one of Savannah’s many haunted hotels and is home to a ghost named “Hank”.
Legend holds that Hank was a worker who died in one of the building’s early fires, though official records show no casualties.
Known as a prankster, Hank is said to rearrange items, make clicking noises, and cause electrical issues.
Guests and staff have reported smelling cigar smoke, which is believed to signal his presence.
Hank is most often encountered in rooms 405 and 406.
Reports of paranormal activity at the Olde Harbour Inn in Savannah, GA, primarily center on a mischievous and friendly ghost named “Hank”. The Olde Harbour Inn embraces its haunted reputation, and its website even features a section dedicated to Hank’s stories.
The legend of Hank Hank’s identity is connected to the building’s history as a warehouse for the Tidewater Oil Company in the late 1800s.
The fire of 1892: In 1892, a fire destroyed the warehouse. Though no casualties were officially reported, legend holds that a worker died in the blaze and his name went unrecorded.
A ghostly prankster: When guests began reporting paranormal activity, employees nicknamed the resident spirit “Hank”. He is most frequently encountered in rooms 405 and 406.
Reported paranormal experiences
Guests and staff at the Olde Harbour Inn have described a variety of ghostly occurrences, often attributed to Hank.
Phantom cigar smoke: An unexplained smell of cigar smoke is frequently reported in hallways or rooms where no one has been smoking.
Moved objects: Items are occasionally moved around or knocked over by an unseen force.
Disembodied sounds: Guests have heard the sound of coins dropping on the floor.
Strong cologne smell: At least one guest reported waking up to the strong smell of cologne as if someone had sprayed it near their face.
Randomly filled bathtub: One guest reported that the bathtub in their room mysteriously filled with water.
Yes, the Olde Harbour Inn in Savannah, GA is rumored to be haunted, with the most famous ghost being a playful spirit named “Hank”. Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences like moving objects, alarm clocks going off in empty rooms, and the smell of cigar smoke, often associated with Hank, who is said to have died in a fire at the inn.