The historic squares in Savannah are one of the city's hallmark features that make Savannah unique from any other city in the United States. Each square includes unique memorials and monuments that pay tribute to the city's history and gorgeous flowers, greenery, trees, and benches to create a relaxing, serene, and park-like atmosphere.
You'll probably run into several squares in Savannah while exploring the Historic District. However, we recommend looking for (and exploring) the following squares in Savannah!
Ellis Square is located next to City Market, so it's one of the most popular squares in Savannah to explore for tourists. It was designed in 1733 and named after Henry Ellis, the second Royal Governor of Georgia. Ellis Square features a water fountain, tables, and a life-sized chess set, and it's located on the corner of Bryan and Barnard Streets. It was once demolished to become a parking garage but was restored by the city as a beautiful square in 2004.
Madison Square was built in 1837 and pays tribute to James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. In the center of the square, you'll find a monument of Sergeant William Jasper, who died during the Siege of Savannah in 1779. This square is located on Macon Street and Bull Street and also features St. John's Episcopal Church, the Sorrel-Weed House, and the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Johnson Square was the first square in Savannah, completed in 1733. It is also the city's largest square. At the center of the square stands a statue of General Nathaniel Greene, a hero from the Revolutionary War. Johnson Square is located on Bull and St. Julian Streets and is surrounded by other famous landmarks, like Christ Episcopal Church and City Hall.
Lafayette Square was designed in 1873 to honor Marquis de Lafayette, a French general who helped the Americans during the Revolutionary War. Aside from the fountain in the center of the square, this square is most well-known for the famous landmarks that surround it, including the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and the Hamilton-Turner House.
Wright Square is one of the six original squares in the Savannah Historic District. This historic square was designed in 1733 and named after Sir James Wright, the last colonial governor in Georgia. One of the most notable features of this square is the large boulder that marks the resting place of Tomochichi, the Yamacraw Indian Chief who greeted the first colonists. This square is located on Bull and President Streets.
Franklin Square is right next to the First African Baptist Church. This square was designed in 1791, and it's located right in the "hustle and bustle" of Downtown Savannah. This square is located at Bryan and Barnard Streets.
Chatham Square is located on Barnard and Wayne Streets. Though it's not the most popular of Savannah's historic squares, it is located next to Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room, one of the best places to eat in Savannah, and Crystal Beer Parlor, a historic restaurant and bar in Savannah.
You'll probably find yourself at Reynolds Square at some point during your trip to Savannah since it's located right next to The Olde Pink House and Leopold's Ice Cream — two of the most iconic restaurants in Savannah. Reynolds Square is one of the original six squares in Savannah, designed in 1733, and features a statue of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. It's also the square closest to River Street and the Savannah River.
Monterey Square sits on Bull and Wayne Streets and features a statue of General Casimir Pulaski, a wounded soldier during the Siege of Savannah. However, the most notable feature of this square is that it features the Mercer-Williams House, the setting for the famous book and movie based in Savannah, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, making it a popular stop on ghost tours.
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As you can imagine, Washington Square was named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. This square is located in the Historic District at St. Julian and Houston Streets and was formerly the site of the Trustees’ Garden.
Chippewa Square is easily one of the best squares in Savannah (and one of the most-visited squares, too!). This exciting square was named to commemorate the Battle of Chippewa in the War of 1812 and features a statue of Georgia's founder, General James Edward Oglethorpe.
However, tourists are drawn to Chippewa Square because it was a filming site in the award-winning movie Forrest Gump. First Baptist Church and the Savannah Theatre are also located near this square.
Telfair Square was designed in 1733 as St. James Square, but it was renamed in 1883 to honor Edward Telfair, a three-time governor of Georgia. Around this square, you'll also find the Telfair Museum of Art and Jepson Center for the Arts — part of the Telfair Museums, also named after Edward Telfair — and Trinity United Methodist Church.
Oglethorpe Square was named after the founder of Savannah, James Edward Oglethorpe, in 1742. It's located at Abercorn and President Streets and is also the location of The Owens-Thomas House and Slave Quarters — the other attraction included in the Telfair Museums.
Crawford Square is one of the few squares of Savannah with recreation equipment, including a basketball court. This square was designed in 1841 after William Harrison Crawford, the minister of France, during the reign of Napoleon.
Taylor Square, formerly known as Calhoun Square, is the only square in the city where all the original historic buildings remain. The square was originally named after John Calhoun, a statesman from South Carolina and Vice President for John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson, but was renamed by the city council in 2023 after Susie King Taylor, the first Black nurse during the Civil War.
Pulaski Square is one of the only historic squares in Savannah without a monument, but it's named to honor Casimir Pulaski — the highest-ranking foreign official who died in the Revolutionary War during the Siege of Savannah. You can see a statue commemorating General Pulaski in Monterey Square. This square is known for its gorgeous live oak trees and thick ivy that covers the ground.
Whitefield Square might be a small square, but it is one of the most beautiful of Savannah's historic squares. It features a gazebo and tons of azaleas that bloom in the spring. Whitefield Square was also the last of the Savannah squares to be built and was completed in 1851.
Orleans Square was built in 1815 to honor the soldiers who fought in the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. The most notable feature in this square is the German Memorial Fountain, built to recognize Savannah's early German immigrants. The fountain was dedicated in 1989 by Savannah's German Society.
Troup Square is one of the smaller squares in Savannah. However, it features the Armillary Sphere, an astronomical device, which is one of the most unique and fascinating monuments in Savannah's many squares. It also includes a fountain that is just for dogs.
Looking for more of Savannah's squares to explore? Consider checking out these squares while you're in the city:
The Savannah Historic District is a great place to stay if you want to spend time strolling through Savannah's historical sites and squares — and a great place to stay in general near Savannah's most popular restaurants, shopping, and other attractions!
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