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    Recommended Reviews - Johnson Square

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    Ariel W.

    Laid out in 1733, this is the oldest and largest of the squares designed by city founder General James Oglethorpe. It was the first of the Bull Street Squares. This square is named for Robert Johnson, the Royal Governor of South Carolina who helped the new colony of Georgia. The square held the public mill and oven. It also contained the earliest church, Christ Church which is still here but not in the original building. Lining the square was a tabernacle, courthouse, and public house but these buildings were destroyed by the Savannah fire of 1796. Several historic events happened in this square. Chekilli, Chief of the Creeks recited their origin story here. In 1735, Reverend John Wesley posted a notice in the a square of his intention to return to England. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read in the square. In 1819 a ball was held for President James Monroe. Today the square is surrounded by City Hall, Christ Episcopal Church which is Savannah's oldest congregation, and several banks. Johnson Square contains two fountains. The focal point of the square is a large monument to Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene. The square also contains a sundial in honor of Colonial William Bull of South Carolina who helped to design Savannah and assisted with Oglethorpe's grid pattern. In this square you will also find Savannah song writer Johnny Mercer's memorial bench. On the ghost tour I took, I learned that this is the only square that does not have Spanish moss in Savannah. It is said that in life Nathanael Greene hated Spanish moss because he believed that it caused Yellow Fever. Apparently he never got the memo that is spread by mosquito's and his ghost is said to keep the moss from growing in the his square. If you only have time to stop at one of the squares, move this one to the top of your list.

    Marqus R.

    I'd say Johnson Square is the most notable of the squares of Savannah. It's the oldest, it's the biggest and it's the busiest. It is also distinguish with a central monument in the form of an obelisk honoring General Nathanial Greene of the Revolutionary War with its corner stone hand set in place by French aristocrat and military leader Marquis de Lafayette. It also has the Johnny Mercer bench which was dedicated to him as a song writer and native of Savannah. Then there is a huge sundial dating back to 1933. Unfortunately, try as I might, I couldn't read the time due to the shade from the trees. Then on the east and west sides of the square are fountains which really makes Johnson Square outstanding.

    Xia Y.

    Beautiful square. I was obviously too excited, I forgot to check into all the other squares but I would say this one is most notable and definitely more picturesque. All the squares are in walkable distance from one another. We got through most of them in 30 minutes. Savannah is beautiful and historic. I recommend visiting it if you're every in the area and taking a stroll through a couple of the squares.

    Ashley S.

    Beautiful square! Lots of history, beautiful fountain, beautiful trees, & an old sundial. This should be a stop through for sure! You can't miss it. Many tours start or end here. It's also by Jens and Friends martini bar.

    Heather P.

    The busiest and most popular of the squares of Savannah. Exactly how many squares are there in Savannah? 24... and not only is this one the busiest, it's the largest. It was named for Robert Johnson, colonial governor of South Carolina and a friend of General Oglethorpe. Most of Savannah's squares are named in honor or in memory of a person, persons or historical event, and many contain monuments, markers, memorials, statues, plaques, and other tributes. Johnson Square seemed to be mainly dedicated to Nathaniel Greene, whose monument is beautifully placed. SO why is it named Johnson Square instead of Greene Square? That I don't quite know, I ask that question myself. Most of the walking city tours start and meet up here. And although I'm not a big history buff, I would recommend stopping by here if you are... or even if you're not.

    Johnson Square.
    James S.

    Beautiful spot. A must see if you visit Savannah. Nathaniel Greene, one of the heroes of the American Revolution is buried under the obelisk. Lots of history to learn and lots of "green space" to see.

    Leah A.

    This is a beautiful square of many in downtown Savannah. The city does a great job preserving their landmarks and Johnson Square has a great vibe. Surreal place to stroll through the walk ways under the giant southern oaks and take in the energy of its history....the good and the bad. :/

    Walking at night is lovely.There are over 20 squares to see in Savannah. See how many you can visit just casually strolling around the city!
    Lindsay S.

    Walking around to as many squares as I could was fun. Especially at night! I love the ambiance and vulnerability of seeing monuments and statues at night. There are never too many people around so you can reflect on the historical info without too many people in the way.

    Rose L.

    Johnson Square's claim to fame is being the oldest and largest square in Savannah, and it was a great first-square stop for us on a recently walking tour. The square was named after Governor Robert Johnson, who was the Governor of what is now South Carolina and is surrounded by what some claim to be the most magnificent buildings of downtown, including City Hall, the Christ Episcopal Church and several large banks. There's something interesting here for everyone, whether it's the white marble bench that pays tribute to Johnny Mercer, Savannah's popular and successful songwriter, the tall white obelisk memorializing the Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene or the haunting tale of Little Gracie, who might be seen running through the square on late, erie nights. Your eyes might be led to the beautiful fountain or sundial that inhabit the park, or they might wonder at the lack of Spanish moss hanging from the trees, a sure sign of hauntedness according to the locals. Either way, this is a great start to any tour of Savannah!

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    Another lovely park in Savannah. This one is near The Olde Pink House and has a big fountain in it.

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    Ask the Community - Johnson Square

    Review Highlights - Johnson Square

    It was named for Robert Johnson, colonial governor of South Carolina and a friend of General Oglethorpe.

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    Historic River Street

    Historic River Street

    4.7(7 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    This is one of those places that instantly pulls you in and makes you feel like you are part of the…read morehistory. Walking along the cobblestone street with the river right beside you is such a cool experience. You get amazing views of the water, big ships passing by, and that classic Savannah charm everywhere you look. There is always something going on here. Street performers, little shops, and great places to grab food or a drink all along the way. It is easy to spend a few hours just wandering in and out of spots and taking it all in. The mix of old brick buildings and lively atmosphere makes it feel unique compared to a lot of other places. The vibe really stands out. It is busy but in a fun way, not overwhelming. You see families, couples, and groups all enjoying the area, and it just has that welcoming energy. Whether you are there during the day or at night, it feels like there is always something to see. Overall this is a must visit if you are in Savannah. Great views, great atmosphere, and a lot to explore packed into one area. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

    This is an amazing historical walk down the riverfront with cobblestone paved streets, multiple…read morehistoric restaurants, bars, hotels, and shops. They also have several areas that allow for great views of the river, the bridge skyline, and the tourist traffic meandering up and down River Street. Definitely a must visit when in downtown Savannah.

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    Historic River Street
    Historic River Street
    Historic River Street

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    Historic Savannah Carriage Tours - Perfect way to end the evening

    Historic Savannah Carriage Tours

    4.0(106 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Had a great private carriage tour with Renee and George. Perfect way to see Savannah…read more (Bring peppermints for George).

    Savannah Carriage Tours was incredibly frustrating and left me feeling taken advantage of. While…read morevisiting the area, I parked near their operation in what appeared to be a normal, public spot. There was zero clear signage indicating that parking was prohibited or that vehicles would be towed. No warning signs, no visible notices--nothing that would reasonably alert a driver. Within a very short time, my car was gone. I later learned it had been towed, conveniently and quickly, by a towing company that seems to patrol this area aggressively. The whole situation felt like a setup designed to trap unsuspecting visitors. It's hard not to believe there is some level of coordination when towing happens so fast in an area with no posted restrictions. The towing fees were outrageous, and the process to retrieve my car added insult to injury. What should have been a pleasant Savannah experience turned into a costly and stressful ordeal. Tourists beware: if you're anywhere near Savannah Carriage Tours, be extremely cautious about where you park--even if it looks legitimate. This experience seriously soured my visit, and I would not recommend supporting a business operating in an area where situations like this are allowed to happen.

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    Historic Savannah Carriage Tours - Giving George some pets

    Giving George some pets

    Historic Savannah Carriage Tours - Mother letting Levi

    Mother letting Levi

    Historic Savannah Carriage Tours - One of the Squares

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    One of the Squares

    Franklin Square

    Franklin Square

    4.8(10 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    A nice square with a monument honoring Haitians who joined in the defense of Savannah. Adjacent to…read morean historic church with daily tours.

    We came upon Franklin Square after checking out Savannah's adjacent historic City Market:…read morehttps://www.yelp.com/biz/city-market-savannah This is one of Savannah's 22 squares. It's named after Benjamin Franklin, who - I learned after visiting this square - was appointed by the Georgia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts colonies to be their agent to the Crown circa 1765. What makes this square special is the Haitian Monument featured in the center. It honors more than 500 Haitian soldiers who fought alongside American colonial troops in the Second Battle of Savannah. That was in 1779, during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783). At that time, that part of Haiti, where the soldiers came from, was known as the French colony of Saint-Domingue. The monument in this square depicts six soldiers. The drummer is Henri Christophe (1767-1820). Christophe was a leader in the Haitian Revolution, where Haiti gained independence from France (1804). He was later proclaimed Henry I, King of Haiti. Of Savannah's squares, Franklin Square is the northernmost square. It's four blocks south of River Street and is part of the row that's closest to the Savannah River. Unlike several of the squares farther south, Franklin Square is located in a more touristy, commercial part of town. Along with the aforementioned City Market, there are restaurants, bars, hotels, stores, and attractions (e.g., museums) nearby. Also unlike a lot of the other squares, this one is mostly brick with barely any grass, relatively speaking. Like the other squares, it has plenty of park-bench seating, picturesque trees, and classic-looking lampposts. During our late-afternoon Friday visit, the square was active with people coming, going, and resting. It was clean and felt safe. It was loud compared to the other squares because of music and noise from surrounding businesses, horses, trolleys, and cars. Franklin Square was the eighth square to be built overall, in 1790. For reference, the original four squares were laid out in 1733. The square was destroyed in 1935 due to routing for the federal Coastal Highway (US 17). It was restored in 1985.

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    Franklin Square
    Franklin Square - Monument

    Monument

    Franklin Square

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    Armstrong Kessler Mansion - Armstrong Kessler Mansion

    Armstrong Kessler Mansion

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    The Armstrong-Kessler House, built in 1919 by George Armstrong, a shipping magnate is today a…read moreprivate home that a few times a year opens up as an event space, mainly for High Society weddings and very exclusive social events...It is not open to the public but many tours stop in front of it and talk about its history and beauty. George Armstrong built this home for his wife. But she preferred living off the lake in North Carolina, so after George's death she donated the home to the city and it became Armstrong College. It remained as Armstrong college for many years until the school outgrew the location. Jim Williams used it during the 1960's as his antique shop, but it didn't work out too well, because he kept locking people in at night, not realizing they were still shopping. Later it became a law firm until 2017, when it was purchased by local hotelier, Richard Kessler. This 25,000 square foot house serves as Kessler's private home today, which can be rented for special occasions. The mansion has become the only Savannah home to be listed in the Italian Renaissance Style in the "Field Guide to American Architecture," as a national best-in-class example of its style.

    I was visiting Savannah for the weekend and this landmark was on my list of buildings to visit…read more It's not open for public, it's just open for private and exclusive events. But you can just walk around the building to check it out. It's a registered national landmark. Built in 1919 by George Ferguson Armstrong and designed by world renown architect Henrik Wallin, the original mansion is the only Italian renaissance revival home in Savannah listed in the "A Field Guide to American Houses". It is now a residence to Richard C.Kessler, it was restored by him in 2019. The mansion from the outside looks absolutely stunning and has gorgeous architecture. It's across the famous Forsyth park. Highly recommend taking a stroll around this mansion when you are in Savannah.

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    Armstrong Kessler Mansion - Armstrong Kessler Mansion

    Armstrong Kessler Mansion

    Armstrong Kessler Mansion
    Armstrong Kessler Mansion - Armstrong Kessler Mansion

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    Armstrong Kessler Mansion

    Johnson Square - landmarks - Updated June 2026

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