When my sister told us that we’re visiting Savannah’s 24 squares, I thought that it would be 24 blocks and another amazing race for us. I told her if we are to do so, we would need a number card and take a photo with a number of each square we visit. However, when we went on our food tour, we visited a number of squares already.
So, what are Savannah’s Squares? They are actually small parks with a rich history. There were originally 24 squares but now were down to 22. Here are some of the squares connected to famous landmarks to guide you on your tour.
Chippewa Square (Bull and McDonough Streets) – do you remember the scene on “Forrest Gump” where he uttered the famous line “Life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.” The scene was shot in this square. You won’t see the bench anymore as they were just props in the film.
Reynolds Square (Abercorn and St. Julian Streets) – this is the square near Leopold’s Ice Cream where you can seat on the benches and enjoy the yummy goodness. This is also the square where you can find the Olde Pink House, a Southern fine dining restaurant which serves good She-Crab soup.
Monterey Square (Bull and Wayne Streets) – this is the square where you will find the Mercer-William House. Mercer-Williams House Museum was featured in the movie and book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”.
Greene Square (Houston and President Streets) – this is the square where you will find the Second African Baptist Church. This church is where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. shared part of his “I Have A Dream” speech before the March of Washington.
Telfair Square (Barnard and President Streets) – home to the Telfair Academy, the oldest public art museum in the South. Their most well-known piece is the Bird Girl, which graced the cover of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”. This piece used to be in Bonaventure Cemetery.
Columbia Square (Habersham and President Streets) – three historic homes line this square: Kehoe House, Davenport House and Abraham Sheftall House. Columbia is a popular nickname after the first female personification of the United States.
Oglethorpe Square (Abercorn and President Streets) – one of the six original open squares laid out by the city founder General James Oglethorpe in 1742. On this square you can visit the Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters.
Lafayette Square (Abercorn and Mason Streets) – the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist looms over the square. Known as the Sistine of the South, it was the stunning backdrop to the opening scene of Disney’s 2019 rendition of “Lady & The Tramp”. Also in this square are the Hamilton House, Low-Colonial Dames House and the childhood home of the author Flannery O’ Connor.
Pictures from visitsavannah.com, savannah.com, savannahtheatre.com
Claudine on the Go 