History of Savannah: Squares

Visit Historic Savannah Georgia

Squares of Savannah

Savannah's founder, General James Edward Oglethorpe designed the basic layout of Savannah with the help of Colonel William Bull. Savannah was built around a series of public squares. The squares served as social gathering spots and areas of commerce for the colonists. They were also designed to be easily defended in case of attack. Of the original 24 squares, 22 still remain.

Calhoun Square
Named for South Carolina statesman John C. Calhoun. This square was laid out in 1851. It is located on Abercorn Street between Taylor & Gordon Streets

Chatham Square
Laid out in 1847, this square was named after William Pitt, the Earl of Chatham. It is located on Barnard Street, between Taylor and Gordon Streets

Chippewa Square
Named to commemorate American valor in the 1812 Battle of Chippewa in Canada, A bronze statue of General James Edward Oglethorpe can be found there. It is located on Bull Street, between Perry and Hull Streets.

Columbia Square
This was Savannah's eastern limit, one of six gates when Savannah was a walled city from 1757 to 1790.The square was laid out in 1799. A fountain fromWormsloe sits in the center and it is located on Habersham Street, between York & State Streets

Crawford Square
This square is named for William Harris Crawford, a former governor and United States Senator. It is located on Houston Street, between Hull & Perry Streets

Elbert Square
Created in 1801, this square was named for General Samuel Elbert, a member of the Provincial Congress of 1775. He is also a former governor. The square is located on Montgomery Street, between Hull & Perry Streets

Ellis Square
Laid out in 1733, this square was named after Henry Ellis, who became the second royal governor. Ellis Square is located on Barnard Street, between Bryan & Congress Streets

Franklin Square
Laid out in 1790, this square was named for Benjamin Franklin, who served as an agent for the Colony of Georgia from 1768 to 1775. Franklin Square is located on Montgomery Street, between Bryan & Congress Streets

Greene Square
Named for Revolutionary War General Nathaniel Greene who died near Savannah and is buried beneath the huge monument in Johnson Square. The square was laid out in 1799. The square is located on Houston Street, between York & State Streets

Johnson Square
First square laid out in the new settlement. Named for Robert Johnson, the governor of South Carolina, who aided the Georgia colony. In the center is a monument and the grave of General Nathaniel Greene. Johnson Square is located on Bull Street, between Bryan & Congress Streets.

Lafayette Square
Laid out in 1837, this square was named after Marquis de Layfayette, who visited Savannah in 1825. He gave a speech from the balcony of the Owens-Thomas House which is located on this square, which is located on Abercorn Street.

Liberty Square
The square was named to honor the "Sons of Liberty" who fought the British during the Revolutionary War. The square was laid out in 1799 and is located on Montgomery Street, between State & York Streets

Madison Square
Named in honor of James Madison (who was the fourth president of the United States), a statue honoring Sgt. William Jasper, who was killed in 1779 during the Siege of Savannah is located in the square. Madison Square is located on Bull Street, between Harris & Charlton Streets

Monterey Square
This square was named to commemorate the Mexican War Battle and capture of Monterey, Mexico. A monument honoring Count Casimir Pulaski, who suffered fatal wounds during the 1779 Siege of Savannah can be found here. Montery Square is located on Bull Street, between Taylor & Gordon Streets

Oglethorpe Square
This square dates back to 1742 and honors the founder of the colony of Georgia, General James Edward Oglethorpe. It is on Abercorn Street, between State & York Streets

Orleans Square
This square honors the heroes of the War of 1812 Battle Of New Orleans. Square laid out in 1815. It is on Barnard Street, between Hull & Perry Streets

Pulaski Square
Named for count Casimir Pulaski, revolutionary war hero from Poland who gave his life in the 1779 Siege of Savannah. The square was laid out in 1837 is located on Barnard Street, between Harris & Charlton Streets.

Reynolds Square
This square is named for Captain John Reynolds, who was the governor of Georgia in 1754. The statue of John Wesley was erected in 1969 by the Methodists of Georgia. The square is located at Abercorn Street, between Bryan & Congress Streets

Telfair Square
Originally called St. James Square, it was renamed in 1883 for the Telfair family. The beautiful structure, Telfair Academy of Arts & Sciences faces the square, which is on Barnard Street, between State & York Streets

Troup Square
Named for the former governor of Georgia, George Michael Troup. An armillary sphere-an astronomical model with solid rings, all circles of a single sphere, used to display relationships among the principal celestial circles is its central feature. The square is on Habersham Street, between Harris & Charlton Streets

Warren Square
Laid out in 1791, this square was named for the president of the Third Provincial Congress, General Joseph Warren and is on Habersham Street, between Bryan & Congress Streets

Washington Square
Laid out in 1790 and honors General George Washington. The houses that border the square through restoration appear as they would have in the 18th-19th Century. Square is located on Houston Street, between Bryan & Congress Streets

Whitefield Square
Named for the founder of the Bethesda Orphanage and early Savannah minister, George Whitefield,. The square was laid out in 1851 and is located on Habersham Street, between Gordon & Taylor Streets

Wright Square
Named after Georgia's third and final colonial governor, Sir James Wright. Features a monument honoring William Washington Gordon, who was an early mayor of Savannah. Gordon established the Central Railroad of Georgia. Large bolder from Stone Mountain, Georgia marks the grave of Tomochichi, Yamacraw Indian Chief who befriended the first settlers. The square is located on Bull Street, between State & York Streets