1811 Chatham Ave., Tybee Island, GA
Front of House
More photos below and in the YouTube Video below.
We rented this old historic Tybee Island home for a family vacation in September 2011. I was disappointed when I arrived as I thought I had rented another house about 4 houses around the beach toward the pier and ocean front. Alas, I am directionally impaired as my family and friends well know!!! When I saw the view for the water from the top porch, I was so pleased. In a couple of days, I had fallen in love with this old house. We had plenty of room to roam, and we did not feel over crowded.
Water view from 2nd floor porch
For me the best features of the house are the two beautifully decorated porches on the first and second floors. The porches wrap around three sides of the house. Many of use snoozed in the hammocks and couches on the porches. I loved eating breakfast on the second floor porch with the view of the water and the sand dune cross over to the Back River beach. The ocean waves were just a short walk from our beach access. Sometimes were could hear the waves as the tide was coming in.
The first floor has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and an open plan living room, dining area, and kitchen. The first floor has king bed with adjoining small bathroom with shower. The first floor has king bed with adjoining bath with shower. This bedroom has a door that opens until the screen porch. Another bedroom has two sets of bunk beds and is stocked with games. The bunk bed room has a door that opens unto the utility and outside shower. This door has a beautiful antique door lock and door knob. A wonderful surprise is the utility room full of beach gear for guest uses. An outside shower is built to one side of the utility room. The other bedroom is on the other side of the open living area and has two twin beds. Each bedroom and the living area have room air conditioners. A stacked washer and dryer is situated between the king bedroom and bunk bed room. A second large bath with shower is located between the kitchen and king bedroom. An open living area consisting of kitchen, dining, and living room. Book shelves in the living area are filled with assorted reading material. The kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher, toaster, dishes, utensils, cookware, stove, refrigerator, and microwave.
The second floor has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and an open plan living room, dining area, and kitchen. The second floor has central air along with window air conditioners in each bedroom. One bedroom has a full size bed. This room has a bathroom with a shower that this shared by the adjoining bedroom with two twin beds. The third bedroom is located on the other side of the living area and has two twin beds and adjoining large bathroom with a bathtub. The washer and dryer are located in this large bathroom that has a second door that opens to the kitchen. The kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher, toaster, dishes, utensils, cookware, stove, refrigerator, microwave, grill, crock pot, and blender.
Both porches have hammocks, comfortable couch and chairs, and a dining table. The second floor porch is my favorite for the view and the rocking chairs. A nice surprise is the two beds located at the front of the house at one end of the porch. Plastic curtains provide privacy if needed. Sitting on the porch late at night with the glow of the full moon creating a bluish white light on the porch and the water is a sight to behold.
Remember, this is an old house from the early 1900's. Do not
expect
perfection. For those who sleep on the bottom floor, you will
hear every step, door openings and closing, and furniture moves that
occur
on the 2nd floor. This house has 10 foot ceilings and old windows. The
ceilings, walls, and floors are of the old wood planks and tongue and
groove wood. Paint is peeling in areas on the outside and inside.
The cabinet doors, closet doors, and other doors may not shut completely
and
are chipped. The 2nd floor shower has chipped paint. Not all the
electrical outlets may work. The salt, water, and years have left their
marks on this house. This is part of the charm of this beach cottage.
What you do get is a wonderful old historic home with a great view and lots of room for a large family to park and to roam. Just walk over the sand dune to the south end Back River to fish, crab, and kayak, view beautiful sunsets, dolphin watch, shelling, kite surf, or boat over to Little Tybee. Walk toward the break wall for great ocean waves and shells. The Tybee pier and the entire down town stores are within a couple of walking distance blocks. I would rent this house again for a large family and friend vacation.
On this Tybee Island Adventure I went kayaking for the first time and loved it! Alisha and I kayaked to Little Tybee Island. Amy, Alisha, and I adventured at low tide far out into the Atlantic. We took the wrong path back and had to swim the deep water!!! My Dad, Alisha, and I toured the lighthouse museum and Fort Screven Museum on the island. Such a long and interesting history Tybee Island has had. We had many new and great adventures this vacation at Tybee!
Oh, Yeah, one of my sons had a paranormal experience in this house. Another new adventure on Tybee!!