Savannah’s scenic jewels make this historic city remarkably beautiful and unforgettable.
The 22 squares in Savannah today provide locals and visitors alike with a little greenery amid all the businesses and historic houses. At one time there were 24 historic squares, but two were lost due to city development while others, such as Ellis Square, were redesigned and made even more appealing. These squares are surrounded by some charming churches, historic homes, enchanting inns and museums and are all shaded by huge live oak trees. On weekends you might see kids running around them with a football, a couple having a picnic in the grass or maybe even a proposal! Savannah’s squares are a hot spot for intimate, outdoor weddings in Georgia’s First City.
North to South:
Franklin Square:
- Dedicated in 1790, this square is named for Benjamin Franklin, an agent for the colony of Georgia from 1768 to 1778. Just off City Market, this is the northwesternmost square. Montgomery & St. Julian Sts.
Ellis Square:
- Designed in 1733 and named in honor of Henry Ellis, the second Royal Governor, Ellis Square has recently been re-stored by the City of Savannah. Here the “Old City Market” was located and merchants sold crops and wares. Barnard & St. Julian Sts.
Johnson Square:
- A center of activity, Johnson Square was the first square laid out by General James Oglethorpe in 1733. Savannah’s largest square is named for Robert Johnson, a close friend of Oglethorpe. Bull & St. Julian Sts.
Reynolds Square:
- Originally called Lower New Square, Reynolds Square was once home to the Filature, where silkworms were housed in an effort to create silk in the Georgia colony. Abercorn & St. Julian Sts.
Warren Square:
- Located in one of the oldest areas of the city, Warren Square is named in honor of General Joseph Warren, a Revolutionary War hero, and was added in 1790. Habersham & St. Julian Sts.
Washington Square:
- Built at the same time as Warren Square, Washington Square once bordered the original Trustees’ Garden, where colonists grew a variety of experimental crops. Today it is the northeasternmost square in the city. Houston & St. Julian Sts.
Liberty Square:
- Laid out in 1799, Liberty Square honors the Sons of Liberty and the victory over the British in the Revolutionary War. Only a portion of the square still exists. It is the site of the “Flame of Freedom” sculpture. Montgomery between State and York Sts.
Telfair Square:
- Laid out by James Oglethorpe in 1733, it is one of the four original squares. It was a very fashionable neighborhoods of the time. Renamed in 1883 to honor the Telfair family, it is the only square honoring a family rather than an individual. It also contains a tribute to the Girl Scouts. Barnard & President Sts.
Wright Square:
- Originally called Percival Square, Wright Square is also the final resting place for Tomochichi, the Native American leader who helped General James Oglethorpe found the colony of Georgia. Bull & President Sts.
Oglethorpe Square:
- This square pays homage to General James Oglethorpe, founder of Savannah and the colony of Georgia, and is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic or a shady break. Abercorn & President Sts.
Columbia Square:
- Taking its name from a popular nickname for the American colonies—Columbia—this square is a tranquil spot away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Nestled within the north-east quadrant of the Historic District, it is a favorite stop for Savannahians. Habersham & President Sts.
Greene Square:
- Named after General Nathaniel Greene, a general in the Continental Army and an aide to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War, Greene Square is one of the most beautiful squares in Savannah. Houston & President Sts.
Orleans Square:
- Located near the Savannah Civic Center, Orleans Square commemorates General Andrew Jackson’s 1815 victory in the Battle of New Orleans, part of the War of 1812. This square features beautiful red tulips in the spring and a bubbling fountain all year long. Barnard & McDonough Sts.
Chippewa Square:
- Named in honor of the American victory in the Battle of Chippewa during the War of 1812, Chippewa Square is where Forrest Gump’s bench was placed during the filming of the movie by the same name. Bull & McDonough Sts.
Crawford Square:
- Designed in the year 1841 and named in honor of William Harris Crawford, Crawford Square contains part of a nineteenth-century water cistern and features a gazebo. It also offers the city’s first paved basketball court for residents. Houston & McDonough Sts.
Pulaski Square:
- Pulaski Square is named for Polish Count Casimir Pulaski, a hero of the Revolutionary War, and is one of the few squares without a monument. This square features some of the most beautiful live oaks in the city, as well as thick ivy groundcover. Barnard & Macon Sts.
Madison Square:
- Named for the fourth U.S. President James Madison, this square features vintage cannons from the old Savannah Armory and a bronze monument of Sergeant William Jasper. The Savannah College of Art and Design originally opened in 1979 on this square. Bull & Macon Sts.
Lafayette Square:
- Named for French aristocrat and military officer Marquis de Lafayette, this square is home to the ornate Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and features quaint benches and cobblestone sidewalks. Abercorn & Macon Sts.
Troup Square:
- Troup Square features an armillary, an astronomical centerpiece made of iron, and supported by small metal turtles. Named in honor of Georgia Governor George Michael Troup, this is one of the most picturesque squares in the Historic District. Habersham & Macon Sts.
Chatham Square:
- This square is home to Gordon Row, a block of 15 identical townhouses admired for their ironwork and unique doorways. Chatham Square honors the Earl of Chatham, an early supporter of the colony. Barnard & Wayne Sts.
Monterey Square:
- With a statue of Casimir Pulaski at the center, Monterey Square is widely considered Savannah’s most picturesque square. The Mercer House, the setting for the murder in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, is located on this lovely square. Bull & Wayne Sts.
Calhoun Square:
- This square, laid out in 1851, honors John C. Calhoun, a senator from South Carolina, who served as Vice President under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. It offers some of the best views of the Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church and the Massie School. Abercorn & Wayne Sts.
Whitefield Square:
- A popular place for weddings, Whitefield Square has a lovely white gazebo that has hosted countless wedding ceremonies. The square is named for George Whitefield, an English clergyman who founded the Bethesda Orphan Home and served as a minister to the city’s earliest colonists. Habersham & Wayne Sts.
