Mercer Williams House in Savannah Georgia

Visit the Famous Crime Scene

Have you ever visited a real crime scene? Have you ever stood in the same room where someone was murdered? Are you a fan of the book Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil? Do you have an appreciation for fine architectural detail? Your answers to all of the preceding questions will determine if a visit to the Mercer Williams House in Savannah, Georgia is in order for you.

The Mercer Williams House was built in 1868 for Civil War General Johnny Mercer. As the years passed in Savannah, it was eventually bought and restored by renowned antiques dealer Jim Williams. Jim Williams was a prominent citizen of Savannah in the 1970s and 80's, and was well known for his appreciation of fine homes and antiques, as well as his society parties.

On May 2, 1981, Jim Williams stood high society of Savannah on its ear when he shot and killed Danny Hansford in his home, back then referred to as Mercer House. Hansford was Jim's "assistant", but local gossip ran rampant that Hansford was Jim's lover. Jim was adamant that he had shot Danny in self-defense, but the evidence seemed to say otherwise. This started a chain of events that would lead to four subsequent trials being held in the case. Eventually, Jim was aquitted of the crime and released in 1989. Just a few short months later however, Jim died in his home, in nearly the same spot as Danny Hansford had. Many people felt that it was Danny reaching out from the grave to assure justice was done.

After Jim Williams died, his family lived in the home he had so lovingly restored. What had become a famous local legend grew to a national phenomenon when the book Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt was released in 1994. Commonly referred to in Savannah as "The Book", it produced colorful characters and an excellent look at Savannah high society.