Walking the Squares in Savannah, Georgia

Eric and I first visited Savannah in March, 2013.  We visited Reynolds, Lafayette, Madison and Orleans Squares.   Today's walk takes us through the city's historic squares.  

Haitians who served in the
Revolutionary War are
honored in Franklin Square.

For me, one of the bonuses
of travel is learning about
US history.

Franklin Square was "lost" in 1935 when the land was used for a federal route.  It was restored in the 1980s for Savannah's 250th anniversary celebration.  

The Sundial at Johnson Square

was regularly consulted by

Savannah residents in

the 1700s & 1800s.

The Nathanael Greene 
Monument is at the center
of Johnson Square.

His remains are buried beneath
this monument.

General Greene died nearby
on June 19, 1786.

Johnson Square was the first of the original Savannah Squares.  It was named after Governor Robert Johnson, who was the Royal Governor of South Carolina from 1729 to 1735.

Squares were used for

communal activities in

 Savannah's early years:

Gathering water, bread

 baking, celebrations.

I love taking pictures of the homes that surround the Squares.

The William Washington Gordon
statue stands at the center of
Wright Square.









William Washington Gordon was an attorney and the first president of Central Railroad and Banking Company,  Later it was named the Central of Georgia Railway.

This Granite boulder from Georgia's

Stone Mountain at the southeast

corner of Wright Square honors

Tomo-Chi-Chi, the leader of

the Yamacraw Indians.

Prior to the 1880s, Tomo-Chi-Chi's grave was at the center of Wright Square.  It was replaced by the monument to William Washington Gordon.  Colonial Dames of Georgia obtained the Granite boulder and memorialized Tomo-Chi-Chi in its current site.

Tomo-Chi-Chi befriended General James E.Oglethorpe and helped the British defend the territory against the Spanish in the early 1700s.

Wright Square is also known as the "Hanging Square."  The Savannah Gallows were erected there. The hanging of Alice Riley became one of Savannah's ghost stories.  

The statue of General 
James E, Oglethorpe
dominates Chippewa
Square.

 The Squares in Savannah are not all about statues....

Crawford Square is all

about recreation.

It's an open space for play.

This square was named for William Harris Crawford, Georgia Senator, Minister to France and Secretary of War.

Revolutionary War hero,
William Jasper is honored
at Madison Square.








Madison Square was named in honor of James Madison, fourth president of the United States of America.

Chatham Square is plain,

with a few benches.

It's a quiet, restful space.

The Casimir Pulaski 
Monument dominates
Monterey Square.

Count Pulaski traveled
from Poland to fight in
the Revolutionary War
& died in the Battle of 
Savannah in October, 1779.

This square commemorates the Battle of Monterey, Mexico in 1846, during the Mexican-American War.  

The statue at the center of Troup

 Square is an Armillary Sphere,

 made of a series of rings

Calhoun Square, named for

James C. Calhoun, who served

as a Congressman, Secretary 

of War & Vice President.

Constructed in 1851, after this section of Savannah had been developed, this square is believed to be the site of a slave burial ground.

This gazebo in Whitefield Square

is a favorite spot for weddings.

The square was named for

Reverend George Whitefield.

Make sure you have comfortable shoes when walking Savannah's Squares.  Eric and I walked seven miles, weaving our way through the Historic District, exploring twenty-two squares.