We hit up a lot of squares while we were in Savannah Georgia. This is one of them that we stopped…read moreand saw took a lot of photos. Kept it on moving nice little spot.

Haunted Square…read more There are 22 of these "Squares" in Savannah. Squares are like parks. One of them is Wright Square and it was one of the original four squares to be laid out in Savannah's Historic District. The Square is named Wright Square in honor of Sir James Wright, the last Royal Governor of (the Province of) Georgia. Two monuments reside on Wright Square. Not a military person but one of the monuments honor the life and achievements of a wealthy and influential railroad tycoon named William Washington Gordon I. Yup, there he stands in the center of Wright Square. The other memorial is that of Tomochichi, a Yamacraw Indian Chief. The memorial is actually a huge boulder of Georgia granite located in the Southeast side of the square in memory of Tomochichi. He assisted James Oglethorpe in the establishment of the Georgia colony and was buried in Wright Square in 1739. The ghost of Tomochichi (allegedly) still resides in Wright Square. Located on Bull Street between State and York Streets, bordered by courthouses and other historic buildings, it is one of the oldest of the City's squares... and haunted! But then most of Savannah is haunted like the true story of Alice Riley, the first woman to be sentenced to death in Savannah in the hanging tree! I always find it interesting to find out the history of these places! In the daytime it looks like a normal park... oh, if you only knew the haunted stories behind this Square. Review #1853

This square is located on Abercorn, between Taylor and Gordon Streets. It was named in honor of…read moreJohn C. Calhoun, a United States Senator from South Carolina who was known as the great orator of the south. He served as Secretary of War, Secretary of State, and the Vice President under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. This was one of the final three squares to be completed in 1851. This square is unique in that it is the only square in the City of Savannah with all of its original buildings still intact. Many of the home along the the square were built in the 1850's and 1860's in the Greek Revival style. One of the historic buildings that overlooks the square is the Massie Common School House. It was designed in the Greek Revival style by John Norris and served as Georgia's first school. General William Sherman took over the school in December of 1864 and used it as a hospital. Another historic building along the square is the Gothic Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church founded in 1868. Construction of the church began in 1875. The first phase of construction was completed in 1875 and the second floor was finished 12 years later. There are stories of this square being haunted because this square was a slave burial ground containing 1,000 graves. In 2004 a skull was discovered by utility workers outside the Massie Heritage Interpretation Center on the square's southeastern side. Slaves in the 18th century were buried in the area that is now the square when the land was on the outskirts of Savannah's city limits. Many of the bodies were moved to Laurel Grove Cemetery South but apparently they still missed a few. Points of interest near Calhoun Square includes Clary's Cafe two blocks north, famous for it's breakfast and Savannah's biggest park, Forsyth Park, is three blocks southwest from the square. Today you can sit on a bench and reflect on the history of this part of the city beneath the trees that cast their shade over this hallowed ground.

The mature Live Oak tree canopy, limbs dripping with Spanish Moss, make Calhoun Square the perfect…read moresetting for its ghost stories! Those believing in the supernatural make this Square a must see. Additionally, Calhoun Square was one of the last three squares to be laid out in 1855. James Oglethorpe's 1733 city plan was still an ongoing vision one hundred and twenty two (122) years later with its construction. John C. Calhoun, an accomplished South Carolina statesman, Vice President to John Quincy Adams and Secretary of War for the United Stares of America, was the namesake of Calhoun Square. This is an intriguing Square with original buildings surrounding the square and ghost stories involving its history. Originally, in Savannah's infancy, the property that is now Calhoun Square was beyond the city limits. At that time, this property was the resting place of approximately "1,000 slaves", according to Wikipedia Squares of Savannah. The bodies were later moved to Laurel Grove Cemetery South. However, some remains were obviously missed as utility workers found a skull in 2004 that testing revealed dated back to the 1800s. For this reason, many Ghost tours make Calhoun Square a spot to investigate, and hopefully encounter, paranormal activity. Savannah is touted as one of America's most haunted cities in the USA, and Calhoun Square is one of many intriguing ghostly places to visit due to the burial ground history. Additionally, several of the homes and Massie School facing Calhoun Square are supposedly haunted. Some interesting facts regarding the surrounding buildings: *Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church stands grandly on the southwest corner of Calhoun Square. This gothic style church was named after and a tribute to the brothers and founders of Methodism, Charles and John Wesley. First services were held in 1868. *Greek Revival style Massie School is located on the southeast corner of Calhoun Square and was Savannah's and the state of Georgia's first public school. It's namesake Peter Massie, a Scotsman, gave Savannah $5,000 to build a school for "children of the poor". Massie School opened in 1856 and educated students until 1974. *The Greek Revival style home at 432 Abercorn Street in the southeast corner of Calhoun Square has an interesting past of death, and some say the most haunted in Savannah. The home was built for civil war veteran and cotton merchant, General Benjamin J. Wilson. The family of five children moved in in 1869. His wife died sometime after of Yellow Fever, and legend has it her ghost still wonders the home. *Stories of Prohibition bootlegging and murder make up some of the history of the Espy home, built in 1900, at 421 Abercorn Street and facing the northwest corner of Calhoun Square. This home belonged to federal judge, Carl Espy, who lived a double life as a respected judge and had a thriving, secretive bootleg business. Supposedly his granddaughter tragically died in the home, and his son was found murdered here, as well.

A rather quiet square in the southwest corner of the Historic District canopied by about 20…read morebeautiful Live Oaks - the state tree. It's not uncommon to spot a wedding taking place in Chatham Square or SCAD textile design students studying. Some interesting facts about Chatham Square and surrounding buildings: *Chatham Square was laid out, along with neighboring Monterey Square, in 1847. Chatham Square is one of the last four in the expanding "Oglethorpe Plan" by city and Georgia colony founder General James Oglethorpe. *Chatham Square is named after Englishman William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, who was an early supporter of the Georgia colony. *in the center of the square you'll find a sundial dedicated to African American, Savannah native, Louis Burke Toomer. Additionally, a historical marker placed in his honor highlights Toomer's contributions as a leader, local bank founder and realtor. Toomer established what is now the Carver State Bank. *In 1854, Barnard Street Elementary School, a boys school, was built on the northwest corner of Chatham Square. *General Sherman's Union forces used Barnard Street Elementary as a military hospital during the Civil War. *In 1906, Mediterranean revival style Barnard Street School was constructed on the same site as the old Barnard Street Elementary School. It was designed by Swedish immigrant, architect Gottfrid L. Norman. *The Northwest corner of Chatham Square continues to serve academically. SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) purchased Barnard Street School in 1988. The renovated school is now Pepe Hall and houses SCAD's Textile design school. *Gordon Row, on the southeast corner, was one of Savannah's first housing developments. These Federalist or Regency style homes line the 100 block of Gordon Street and were built in phases between 1852 and 1854. Cost per home was $3,500-$4,000 and marketed to country planters or farmers who wanted a house in town during visits.

Chatham Square is unique in that it's a little out of the way of your main Squares and houses no…read moremonuments or statues. It makes up for that with beautiful floral gardens, large oaks covered in Spanish moss and a lovely sundial. It's a short walk from Liberty Street, full of hotels and restaurants within the historic district. Interesting fact: Chatham Square is one of the least visited squares and was one of the last of Savannah's squares to be laid out. It's named after William Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, the county Savannah resides in, and oddly enough, Chatham county was also named after William Pitt (but which was named first, I couldn't tell you. What you should look for when you visit: Barnard Street School, which used Chatham Square as their school playground for many years (the building is now part of SCAD). And "Gordon Row", a series of fifteen 4-story homes in a row. Square Review 2:22

Oglethorpe Square is one of the 22 Squares of Savannah. Compared to the other squares, this one is…read morefairly "unremarkable." For example, it doesn't have an obelisk commemorating an American Revolutionary War general like Johnson Square ( https://www.yelp.com/biz/johnson-square-savannah ) nor does it have a monument like the Haitian Monument in Franklin Square ( https://www.yelp.com/biz/franklin-square-savannah ). In this sense, Oglethorpe Square is rather plain and boring. However, from our visit, I still found it to be a charming, nice-looking, and well-maintained square; hence, the Yelp four stars ("Good"). Oglethorpe Square is located in the North Historic District, only a couple blocks north of Colonial Park Cemetery. If you're in the area, I recommend visiting the cemetery: https://www.yelp.com/biz/colonial-park-cemetery-savannah Oglethorpe Square was one of two squares built after the original four. Overall, it was the sixth to be laid out, in 1742. For reference, Colonial Cemetery opened in 1750 and nearby Columbia Square, two blocks east, was laid out in 1799. Oglethorpe Square was named after General James Oglethorpe (1696-1785). Oglethorpe founded Georgia, then one of the Thirteen Colonies, in 1732. Oglethorpe County and Oglethorpe University are also named after the general, as well as, presumably, Oglethorpe Power. Anyway, back to the square. It consists of nine roughly equally-sized sections (mini squares, almost) divided by brick walkways. It's like a public park with lots of grass, a variety of trees, bushes, and flowers, and benches and trash cans. The center square is all grass with a classic lamppost at each of the four corners. During our visit, the grounds appeared well kept. A sign on a pedestal in the northeast corner of the square read: "In memory of the Moravian colonists in Savannah, 1735-1740, who maintained a mission to the Indians. This memorial is presented to the City of Savannah by the Wachovia Historical Society of Winston-Salem, NC." I think that's cool because I'm originally from the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina and I'm familiar with Old Salem and the Moravians: https://www.yelp.com/biz/old-salem-museums-and-gardens-winston-salem-3 I didn't know about their connection with Savannah until after visiting Oglethorpe Square.

This is one of the six original squares laid out in 1742 by city founder General James Oglethorpe…read more Originally named Upper New Square, the name was changed in Oglethorpe's honor although his statue is located in Chippewa Square. Oglethorpe Square is located one block north of Colonial Park Cemetery. There are no monuments in this square making it unusual but it is lined by historical buildings and contains historic markers. Located on the square at 124 Abercorn Street is one of the most architecturally significant homes in Savannah, the Owens-Thomas House. It was built in 1816 by British architect William Jay in a Regency style. In 1951 the house was given to Telfair Museums and today it is open for tours. Renovations in the 1990's uncovered one of the most intact slave quarters in the urban south. Other buildings along the square include the Presidents' Quarters Inn (1855) which is two 19th century Federalists style homes. Where the inn's parking lot now stands used to be the house of John Reynolds (1752), Georgia's first governor. At 127-131 Lincoln Street is a Greek Revival style house (1855). The Confederacy's second Quarter Master General lived in the house but it is more famous for being the place Robert E. Lee stayed during his final visit to Savannah. Although there are no large monuments here like in other squares, Oglethorpe Square contains the Moravian Pedestal in the northeast corner of the square which is a marker commemorating Moravian missionaries in 1735. They provided aid to orphans and Native Americans before moving to Pennsylvania in 1740. At the intersection of Abercorn and East State Street is a plaque placed by the Savannah chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution honoring Major General James Jackson, a Revolutionary War Hero. Like all of the squares in Savannah this is the perfect place to sit down, take a break, and soak in the history surrounding you.

Johnson Square was a nice place to visit while we were in town. We really like taking photos and…read morelooking around the sites and seeing everything that had to offer.

Johnson Square is one of the 22 squares of Savannah. Located in the northernmost row of the city's…read morefive rows of squares, it was the first of the squares to be laid out, in 1733, and remains the largest of the 22. We loved walking around the square as well as sitting around, watching people go by....there's plenty of street parking around....some free, some metered, some inside parking garages Johnson Square is east of Ellis Square, west of Reynolds Square and north of Wright Square. Situated on Bull Street and St. Julian Street, it is named for Robert Johnson, colonial governor of South Carolina and a friend of General James Oglethorpe. Interred under his monument in the square is Revolutionary War hero General Nathanael Greene, the namesake of nearby Greene Square. Greene was a Rhode Island native who died in the South.....us being from RI, found this very interesting and eye opening. An obelisk in the center of the square serves as a memorial to General Greene. Johnson Square contains two fountains, as well as a sundial.

Interesting Plaza, with history, nice building, sculptures and beautiful waterfront. Great…read morerestaurants with high reviews around it. It's worth to stop by and learn about the history, enjoy beautiful view and good food.

A nice historic area of Savannah that's easy to walk around. The Georgia Queen is pretty and a…read moredefinite photo opp. Was able to walk along the riverfront and stretch the legs out after a long drive. Mostly everything one way for driving and can be a bit tricky. Make sure you have your location set before driving around.

My family and I were visiting Savannah Georgia and we came across the World War II memorial and it…read morewas a site to see. We really enjoyed seeing the memorial and all the names all the things included with it.

It's located just along the riverfront, you can't miss it. The memorial is named "A World Apart",…read moreyou'll see the Earth is split in half. This exhibited the divide between the European and the Pacific wars. If you look closely inside, you see the names of the deceased heroes that fought for this country. This was definitely one of the most unique and magnificent memorials that I've ever been to.

Savannah is one of those places that just sticks with you. Walking through the historic squares…read moreunder the oak trees with the Spanish moss feels like stepping back in time. Everything is clean, scenic, and full of character. There's a great mix of history, food, and things to do. Whether you're exploring downtown, eating at local spots, or just taking it all in, it's hard not to enjoy yourself. My family and I had an awesome time and I'd go back again without thinking twice.

I only had about eight hours to spend in Savannah, and that was nowhere near enough--but it was…read morejust enough to fall in love. As a world traveler and former airline employee, I'm not afraid to get lost in a city and explore, and Savannah felt like the perfect place to do exactly that. From the moment I arrived, the entire vibe was romantic, historic, and visually stunning. The Spanish moss draping from the trees, the cobblestone streets, and the gentle rhythm of the river along River Street created an atmosphere that felt both timeless and welcoming. One of the highlights for me was seeing the beautiful span of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge and wandering through the iconic squares--each one peaceful, shaded, and thoughtfully designed with fountains and tree-lined pathways that almost form natural archways overhead. The city grid is laid out so well that it makes exploring easy and enjoyable, even if you're short on time. What really struck me was the architecture. The homes, the gas lanterns on porches, the historic buildings--it all felt like a refined throwback to another era. Elegant, charming, and full of character. You can sense the pride in preservation here. And seeing the presence of SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) throughout the city adds another layer of creativity and energy that makes the whole place feel vibrant and alive. Savannah embodies what I imagine when I think of Southern lifestyle--gracious, beautiful, and a little bit magical. Bottom line: Savannah is a city meant to be savored, not rushed. I barely scratched the surface in my short visit, but it left such a strong impression that I already know I'll be back--next time with more time to wander, explore, and most definitely eat my way through this gorgeous city.