Tag Archives: celebration

For Those About To Beard – WE SALUTE YOU!

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Happy National Beard Day! For those that grow and groom, you come from a tried and true testosterone tradition. It is either natural or earned & cannot be faked!

Unidentified Beard Bro photographed by Launey and Goebel

Launey & Goebel Stereoview Logo (reverse side)

This gem of an unknown gentleman popped into Launey & Goebel Photography between 1888 and 1892 and perhaps stopped by a barber just prior or a horse tail groomer first! Launey & Goebel were originally positioned in what is now 141-143 Broughton Street (Barnard St.), where you today find The Gap inside of the old S.H. Kress Drugstore building that operated from 1923-1997. Albeit if you look at the old postcard of Broughton St., you can see to the immediate lower left, the earlier site building where Arthur Launey and eventual partner, George Goebel, first held residency.

Lower Left (G.D or C.D. Kenny Co.) Original Studio Locale

These were classic dark room fellows and while not looking directly at their death certificates, I’m left wondering about how their craft may have contributed to their early deaths. Arthur Launey died in 1908 at 54 (or 63, birthdate varies), with George Goebel (as in Goebel Ave), who died at 57 in 1917. At the time of their deaths, their studio was at 31 Whitaker St (W. Congress) – “Across from Paula Deen’s Y’all! – which houses numerous enterprises today. This building is said to have been built by one of Napoleon’s officers after The American Revolution using wood from his vessel. Notably in the subterranean or basement side corner, you can still see a brick tunnel entrance which may be older than the street-level structure. While Sons of Liberty record is hard to come by, a former owner of the building cited it had been used by them for secret meetings which fits nicely with the former location of rebel tavern, “Tondee’s Tavern” just south of this building at Whitaker St., where The Coffee Fox (rhymes with Swamp Fox), now stands. Why do we bring this up? Because this is the stuff men with beards often like to know!

31 Whitaker St (Looking South from W. Congress St. corner)

After Goebel’s death, it appears Launey’s daughter Ira Garnet, took over the company until 1924 and then vanished from company directories by 1926. Both men are buried in Bonaventure and from what we know, their facial hair still growing (too soon?) Happy Beard Day to all!

Arthur Launey’s Grave In Bonaventure Cemetery

George Goebel’s Grave in Bonaventure Cemetery

 

The Sculptor & The Child Muse: Special Event

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“John – it’s an exact likeness.”

These words were barely found formed by tearful parents, Wales and Frances Watson following the marble statue unveiling of their daughter, “Little Gracie” by sculptor John Walz in Bonaventure Cemetery between 1891-1894. According to Walz, they then turned and left the cemetery. For Walz, it was no less emotional as Gracie Watson had become perhaps the closest thing he’d known to a child of his own. He was now 45, unmarried, and the biggest emptiness in himself was having achieved so much of The American Dream but as a man, there was an emptiness of a family of his own. Gracie had meant the world to him, the friendship of her parents formed inside of the hotel they owned where Gracie played and entertained for nearly 6 years of her own life – The Pulaski House Hotel – the hollow halls would soon come to haunt them all. In ways, only time and a statue would bring healing.

Walz Sculpts Little Gracie To Life by Stephen Kasun

This coming Saturday, July 13, 2024, we celebrate the 142nd Birthday of Little Gracie Watson but also the life and works of the sculptor buried almost a straight line from her a few hundred yards away, John Walz. The cemetery called Bonaventure might have another name – The John Walz Art Museum – for the countless works he spread across the many acres, defining it visually, setting the standard, like no other artist. Together, Watson & Walz, are inseparable figures to Bonaventure Cemetery and no one presents that quite like Shannon Scott Tours & Events! Your host, Shannon Scott, will present some rarely-seen objects tied to the lives of Gracie Watson and John Walz. One lucky attendee will receive this original, framed painting “Walz Sculpts Little Gracie To Life,” by highly respected Savannah artist, Stephen Kasun! This artwork is a first-of-its-kind and will be treasured by the recipient! All attendees will receive a signed event poster along with very special birthday baked goodies that you’ll simply die for!
TICKETS: www.bonaafterhours.com