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.

Quick stop while I was visiting Tybee Island last year. It is one of the smallest lighthouses in…read moreGeorgia, located on a tiny island in the south channel of the Savannah River. Its part of Fort Pulaski National Monument. Its not open to the public for visiting. You can get close if your kayaking. The national park service does operate Cockspur Lighthouse, see website for the interesting facts about Cockspur. If you love lighthouses its a great stop for the history and views.

Decided to stop in here as we were headed to Tybee Island and we ended up spending so much time we…read moredidn't even go to the island! Fort Pulaski is in amazing condition and you get to walk through the tunnels as well as on top of the fort! They give you a paper with a map explaining history, and another one that tells you about all the canons. They have many original canons that you can see, and the information signs throughout the fort do a great job of just hitting the cool highlights without overwhelming you with information. The walk to the lighthouse is beautiful and you get some great views of the Savannah River.

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.

Civil War History…read more Dining at Old Fort Pub is always preceded by our walking tour of the Civil War fort, Fort Mitchel (one L.) Fort Mitchel and other Union forts, together with a superior Union Navy were Key to ultimate Union victory. Old Fort Pub is closed, and visitors to FT Mitchel have decreased. This Fort played a vital role in Coastal defenses.

Fun and Interesting historical presentation on old site of this fort area. Well spoken guide met us…read morenear parking and welcomed us, began discussion readily, sharing Civil war history. We ambled to park benches as he continued, explaining the importance of the area, and fortifications there, preserved as possible despite nearby modern development. His talk was augmented with a second presentor, in character and costume, to explain local sentiments during war times, with good humor and good understanding of historical local, slave and soldier perspectives. Well done! Well appreciated! Give a listen , everyone! Volunteer guides, money supports local history library.

This area is full of shops, restaurants, cafes, galleries, boutiques, inns and hotels. A good part…read moreof these businesses are located in restored passageways and nineteenth-century cotton warehouses. Everyone seems to enjoy this area when visiting Savannah. But what is Factor's Walk...and how did it get its name? Why is it here? Factor means to "sell" or "factorize". In these same buildings that now house various businesses...men used to bale, factor and sell cotton. The iron bridges and walkways led to the office entrances...often on the 3rd, 4th & 5th floors of the buildings. Here, brokers worked on sales and managed exports. "Factors" determined the amount(s) of cotton that would be sold to any merchant. Factors Walk was named after these cotton factors. Although the cotton trade is no longer here, it is still very much a business district...just in a different way. Today it is more of a promenade for all to enjoy instead of just doing business. The walkways & bridges are beautiful and remain nearly the same. There are historic steps that are rather steep still in existence as well that lead below to the river front...use them at your own risk. The architecture in this entire area is amazing...and cost nothing to take it all in except a little time...and this is time that I highly recommend.

Great place to visit , great view a good spot to take great pics . Historic steps is beautiful…read moreloved it . The only thing I hated was a lot of mosquitoes but other than that it was a great place to walk by and get to know

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.

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

This is a small lovely, idyllic Square, framed with residences of "Gingerbread" style architecture…read moreand canopied by Live Oak trees with branches dripping of Spanish Moss. Whitefield Square was the 24th square laid out in 1851, and the finality of General James Oglethorpe 1733 city plan. Whitefield Square is in the southeast corner of the historic district and named after Englishman, evangelist, and one of the Methodist founders, Reverend George Whitefield. Interesting information to note regarding its history, architecture and surrounding churches: *Whitefield Square's African American history is noteworthy as two of Savannah's historically black churches are home or near here: Beth Eden Baptist and First Congressional Church. Additionally, Whitefield Square, and neighboring Calhoun Square, were originally the cemetery for African Americans. Prior to it's construction in 1851, it was considered the outskirts of the city. Remains were moved to South Laurel Grove Cemetery. *First Congressional Church, on the northwest corner of Whitefield Square, was organized in 1869. Its original small framed meeting house was replaced by the current Gothic brick structure in 1895. *Beth Eden Baptist Church, on Gordon Street and one block west of Whitefield Square, was formed in 1889 by members of the Second African Baptist Church when their minister was deposed. This lovely Neo-Gothic church was designed by Henry Urban and houses artwork by noted black folk artist and Savannah native, William Pleasant. *Many of the homes and buildings surrounding Whitefield Square were built post Civil War and late in the 19th century. The surrounding homes are of "Gingerbread" style architecture and known for decorative wood detail. *St. Joseph's Infirmary, later St. Joseph's Hospital, was first home on the northwest corner of Whitefield Square, 1870s, and operated by Savannah's Sisters of Mercy. St. Joseph's was also situated near Savannah's predominately Irish districts, and used by the Irish Catholics. This hospital sadly was demolished, and Rose of Sharon apartments, senior living for 62+, now stands in its place. *The crowning beauty of Whitefield Square is the lovely, white Victorian gazebo said to be gifted to Savannah by late actor, Burt Reynolds. After directing and starring in "Gator", set in Savannah in 1975, Burt Reynolds left his mark by donating the Whitefield gazebo.

This square will always hold a special place in my heart. The streets around it are beautiful and I…read moreget excited to go back every time. Go visit it's the best square in Savannah!