Ol Jeez City Guide
The Squares Savannah has 22 historic squares — more than any other American city. Each one tells a different story. Here's all of them.
22 Squares
1733 Oldest
293 Years of History
What Makes Savannah's Squares Special? James Oglethorpe designed Savannah in 1733 around a revolutionary grid of squares — each one serving as a neighborhood commons surrounded by civic buildings, churches, and townhouses. The design was so successful that Savannah grew from 4 squares to 24 (two were lost to development), and the entire Historic District was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966.
Each square is named for a person, battle, or concept significant to American or Georgian history. Each has its own personality, architecture, and stories. Walking the squares is walking through 300 years of American life.
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Click any marker to see details · Green = Ol Jeez Pick
All Squares Ol Jeez Picks Colonial Era Civil War Haunted Most Romantic
22 of 22 squares
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Ol Jeez Pick
Johnson Square 1733 — Original Historic District 🗿 Nathanael Greene Monument
The oldest and largest of Savannah's squares, established when James Oglethorpe founded the colony in 1733. The symbolic and geographic center of the original city plan.
▾ Ol Jeez Pick
Chippewa Square Est. 1815 Historic District 🗿 General James Oglethorpe Statue
Home to the famous Oglethorpe statue and the filming location of the iconic Forrest Gump bench scene. One of the most visited squares in the city.
▾ Ol Jeez Pick
Monterey Square Est. 1847 Historic District 🗿 Casimir Pulaski Monument
The most celebrated square in Savannah, immortalized in John Berendt's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Home to the Mercer Williams House and Temple Mickve Israel.
▾ Ol Jeez Pick
Madison Square Est. 1839 Historic District 🗿 Sergeant William Jasper Monument
One of Savannah's most historically significant squares. General Sherman used the Green-Meldrim House as his headquarters during the Civil War, from which he sent President Lincoln his famous telegram offering Savannah as a Christmas gift.
▾ Lafayette Square Est. 1837 Historic District 🗿 Fountain
A graceful square anchored by the soaring twin spires of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, the oldest Roman Catholic Diocese in the Southeast.
▾ Wright Square 1733 — Original Historic District 🗿 William Washington Gordon Monument
One of Savannah's original four squares, containing a large boulder marking the grave of Tomochichi — the Yamacraw chief whose friendship made the Georgia colony possible.
▾ Reynolds Square Est. 1734 — Original era Historic District 🗿 John Wesley Statue
Home to the statue of John Wesley, founder of Methodism, who served as minister in Savannah in 1736. The Pink House restaurant on the square is one of Savannah's most iconic dining landmarks.
▾ Columbia Square Est. 1799 Historic District 🗿 Wormsloe Fountain
Home to the Isaiah Davenport House Museum, whose threatened demolition in 1955 sparked the historic preservation movement that saved Savannah's architectural heritage.
▾ Ellis Square 1733 — Original City Market 🗿 John Wesley Statue (replicated from Reynolds Square)
One of the original four squares, adjacent to City Market. Shockingly used as a parking garage for decades, Ellis Square was fully restored in 2010 and is now a vibrant public gathering space.
▾ Ol Jeez Pick
Forsyth Park Est. 1851 Historic District South 🗿 Forsyth Fountain
Savannah's most beloved public space. The iconic white fountain, the Spanish-American War memorial, the Fragrant Garden, and the best farmers market in the Southeast.
▾ Franklin Square Est. 1791 — Original era Historic District West 🗿 Haitian Monument
Home to the First African Baptist Church, the oldest Black church in North America, continuously active since 1773. The Haitian Monument honors the soldiers who helped defend Savannah during the Revolution.
▾ Troup Square Est. 1851 Victorian District 🗿 Armillary Sphere
A beautifully intimate square centered around a Victorian armillary sphere (celestial globe). One of the most residential and peaceful squares, beloved by locals and their dogs.
▾ Calhoun Square Est. 1851 Historic District South
The southernmost square in the original city plan, anchored by the Massie Heritage Center — the oldest school building in Georgia, now an education and history museum.
▾ Whitefield Square Est. 1851 Historic District South 🗿 Victorian Gazebo
Savannah's most romantic square, known for its picturesque Victorian gazebo that serves as one of the most popular wedding venues in the city.
▾ Oglethorpe Square Est. 1742 — Original era Historic District
Named for Georgia's founder, this square is home to the Owens-Thomas House — one of the finest examples of English Regency architecture in America and an important site in Black history.
▾ Pulaski Square Est. 1837 Historic District West
A serene, tree-canopied square in the western Historic District, named for the Polish-American hero of the Revolutionary War who died defending Savannah.
▾ Chatham Square Est. 1847 Victorian District
A transitional square between the Historic and Victorian districts, offering beautiful Victorian architecture and a quiet, residential atmosphere.
▾ Orleans Square Est. 1815 Historic District West 🗿 German Memorial Fountain
Named for the Battle of New Orleans, this square features the German Memorial Fountain honoring the large German immigrant community that helped build Savannah.
▾ Warren Square Est. 1791 — Original era Historic District
A quiet, shaded square in the eastern Historic District, named for the patriot general who died at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
▾ Washington Square Est. 1791 — Original era Historic District East
Named for President Washington, this square anchors the eastern edge of the Historic District near the Pirate's House and Trustees' Garden.
▾ Greene Square Est. 1791 — Original era Historic District East
Named for Revolutionary War hero Nathanael Greene, this square in the eastern Historic District is surrounded by significant African American history.
▾ Crawford Square Est. 1841 Historic District East
A genuine neighborhood square in the eastern Historic District — less visited than the famous squares but full of authentic Savannah residential life.
▾ Ol Jeez Walking Tips
👟 Start at Johnson Square — the oldest — and work south toward Forsyth Park along Bull Street. That's the classic route.
🌤 Morning and late afternoon are the best times. Midday summer heat in Savannah is no joke. Bring water.
🎙 Ghost tours leave from various squares at night. Even if you don't believe, the stories are fantastic.
📸 The light at golden hour (one hour before sunset) through the Spanish moss is extraordinary. Plan for it.
🍦 Leopold's Ice Cream is a block from Oglethorpe Square. Required stop. Get the Tutti Frutti.
🗺 Download the "Explore Savannah" app before you go — it has GPS navigation between squares.
