COMPLETED NOVEMBER 2022

Bill’s Beach House

Left: Bill’s Beach House sits at the corner of Van Horne Avenue and Meddin Drive on Tybee Island.

The History of Bill’s

Bill’s Beach House, 81 Van Horne Avenue, Tybee Island, GA, was a wood framed vernacular military duplex cottage with two central chimneys. The exterior was simplistic and practical, featuring wooden siding. Two types of windows were present, 6 over 6 square lites and 2 over 2 lites, double hung. Placed atop tall concrete piers, the house sat at the intersection of Van Horne Avenue and Meddin Drive, facing Van Horne Avenue.

81 Van Horne was located on Tybee Island, Georgia within the Fort Village development. Fort Village was developed for the United States Military as a part of Fort Screven, which was active until 1945.

Information on the house has been found under multiple addresses:
“81 A & B Vanhorn, Fort Screven”
“M-D-5, Chatham County”
“37 Van Horn”

(Van Horn may also be spelt as “Vanhorn,” “Van Horne,” “Vanhorne”)

The structure was built in March of 1911 by Algernon Blair under the direction of Army Corps. of Engineers. The house retained historic integrity through the years with only minor alterations. After sitting vacant for a number of years, the house was deconstructed by Re:Purpose Savannah in 2022 at the direction of the owner.

Record of Ownership & Occupancy

1940- United States Military Fort Screven Base
81A Phillips Family (Resident)
Charles H. Phillip, born in Kentucky, Soldier at Fort Screven Base; Marie Phillips, Wife; Alice Marie Phillips, Daughter (also found under “Abie”); Charles Phillip Jr., Son, (unknown if Charles Jr. lived at this residence.)

81B Payne Family (Resident)
The Payne family might have lived at the residence since 1930. They are shown to have lived at Fort Screven since then but no street or number is found on sources.
Thomas H. Payne, born circa 1891 in Indiana; Soilder at Fort Screven Base; Emma M. Payne, Wife; Thomas H. Payne Jr., Son; William G. Payne, Son; Mary P. Payne, Daughter; Kathryn A. Payne, Daughter.

1946- The City of Savannah Beach (Known today as the City of Tybee Island) - Fort Screven Military Base was deactivated and sold by the Federal Government.

Robinson Realty Company (Fort Screven Development Company) Robinson Realty Company purchased the majority of Fort Screven from the City of Savannah Beach.

1976 - Sale recorded on property record card, no owner information.

1983 - Present
William J Foran Jr., born 1947, Shown to reside at 37 Van Horne in 1987 which is likely to be 81 Van Horne.

Structure Timeline

Construction on 81 Van Horne was completed on March 14, 1911 for a total cost of $4,063.00. At the time of deconstruction, the building’s form and features were largely intact. The Quarter Master Corps building records of non-tatical buildings documented alterations to the structure until 1924.

From 1900 to 1945, the Army Corp of Engineers was tasked with planning the Fort Village area at Fort Screven. Algernon Blair was awarded the contract to build out part of Fort Village, which included 81 Van Horne.

The house was built as a duplex residence for NCO (Non Commissioned Officers) and transitioned into married enlisted men’s quarters by the 1920s. Around the time of the transition to married enlisted men’s quarters is likely when the rear porches were enclosed to add additional interior living space.

Take a Virtual Tour

Click the image below to tour both inside and outside the River House. Special thanks to our sponsor Shamrock+ for helping us document our projects!