Bounded by E. York and E. State Streets, Wright Square was laid out in 1733. It was the second created and one of the four original squares laid out by Georgia founder, James Oglethorpe. At that time of its creation it was named Percival Square in honor of Viscount Percival, Earl of Egmont who also helped found the colony of Georgia. He is credited with giving the colony its name Georgia, in honor of Great Britain's King George II. The square was later renamed Wright Square in 1763 in honor of Sir James Wright, the third governor of Georgia and its last royal one. Other names the square has gone by include Post Office Square, Courthouse Square, and Hanging Square. In earliest days the square held a courthouse, monthly auctions, and government bonds. It was also known as the hanging square because it was where people convicted of capital crimes met their deaths at the end of a hangman's rope. A boulder in the southeast corner of the square honors Tomochichi, chief of the Yamacraws. He was a friend of General Oglethorpe and was instrumental in negotiating the treaty that gave Oglethorpe the land that would become Savannah. He also helped establish a military outpost that repelled invasion by the Spanish. Tomochichi died in the Yamacraw village in 1773 but at his request he was brought back to Savannah and his body was put in the square with a pyramid of rocks over his grave. In 1882, a hundred years later, the mound was removed and replaced with the Gordon monument purchased by the Central Georgia Railroad for its founder William Washington Gordon who was also a politician and businessman. The monument has four red granite columns with Corinthian capitals. At the top are four winged figures that hold a globe. The figures represent agriculture, manufacturing, commerce, and art. It is the only monument in a square to a native Savannahian. Upset by the disrespect shown to Tomochichi, Nellie Kenzie Gordon, Gordon's daughter-in-law along with the Colonial Dames made a new monument to the Native American leader with a piece of granite taken from Stone Mountain. It was placed in the southeast corner of the square since his body still resides under the Gordon monument or was scattered when the Gordon monument was laid according to differing accounts. Legend has it that Tomochichi's ghost still remains in the square and if you say his name three times he will appear to you. Tomochichi is not the only ghost purported to be haunting Wright Square. This square was one of the stops on the Ghost City Tour, Dead of Night where we heard the sad tale of Alice Riley who is buried just off the square. Alice Riley and Richard White came over from Ireland as indentured servants. Alice and Richard were sent to work on a farm where Alice was forced to bathe her employer William Wise. Wise ended up drowned in a bucket, making him Georgia's first murder victim. Richard was blamed for the crime and hanged first and in 1735 Alice followed her lover to the gallows proclaiming her innocence after she gave birth but who the father was, her employer or White, is a mystery lost to time. Baby James passed away soon after the death of Alice and shortly tales began that she was a witch and had cursed the city of Savannah. It is said Alice is still roaming the square looking to be reunited with her son. Aside from ghosts, Wright Square is also home to many beautiful buildings like the Lutheran Church of Ascension which was dedicated in 1879. The church took its name from the stain glass depicting Christ's ascension into heaven that sits behind the alter. I love all of the squares of Savannah. Each one has unique monuments, history, and stories attached to it. This one might be the most storied of all. As one of the oldest and most haunted squares in Savannah, Wright Square is a must see on any tour. read more

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

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Haunted Square 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 read more

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I'm surprised we hadn't run into this square before but you can't miss it with the towering statue in the middle. It's very pretty like many squares and of course benches and history to learn on the way. read more

Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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What a beautiful square consisting of a towering statue and rock. The trees are breathtaking; it's quite impressive, and peaceful. I could spend hours here rejecting and taking it all in! read more

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Wright Square is one of Savannah's oldest, dating back to 1733. It's a super lovely square but there are some things that strike me as being odd about it. Its name is Wright Square in honor of James Wright, the last Royal Governor of Georgia, however the main monument and centerpiece of it is the William Gordon monument named after William Gordon who was a wealthy railroad tycoon and whose endeavors managed to bring incredible wealth to Savannah in the form of easy transportation of cotton. Most park like squares that I know of in some way bear the name of its central piece monument, but if there is anything significant to Wright, I didn't see it. No matter all this history stuff because the most important part is that it is a lovely square offer a most pleasant place to spend some time. read more

Wright Square - William Gordon monument in Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

It is hard to believe this square has been here since 1733. It has had a few names, but wright square is named after the last Royal Governor of Savannah Sit James Wright. With this being the second of twenty two squares later down in Savannah, there is so much background of this square and area. I wish I read or knew about it when I was right there. If you are at this square, check this background I found about it. It is a very good detailed background. It is like you are stepping back in town. I found this article about it: http://www.visit-historic-savannah.com/wrightsquare.html read more

Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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Wright Square is a beautiful location in the center of town. There is a lot of history here and it's a nice place to visit. There's plenty of shaded paths & benches to keep cool, plus a large central monument. There are great shops and restaurants all around too! A very walkable location. read more

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Beautiful place to walk around with a date and hold hands! There are low hanging trees to climb, plenty of grassy open spaces to set up a picnic, and extremely flat terrain to do a walk in sandals or heels! read more

Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

Really, all of the squares are impressive in their own way. There is so much history here it's hard to keep them straight from one to the next. That being said this square's historic significance is: When the square was laid out in 1733, it was originally named Percival in honor of Viscount Percival, who became the Earl of Egmont. The square was later renamed after Sir James Wright, Georgia's third and last Royal Governor. The central monument honors William Washington Gordon, the founder of the Central of Georgia Railroad, and the boulder in the southeast corner memorializes Tomochichi, the leader of the Yamacraws, a friend of General Oglethorpe and ally of the English. This is a huge part of the history of Savannah and symbolizes an important time in the history of the US. On a lighter note though, visit the squares, they are rich in history, well kept and extremely picturesque. Fun time visiting each of these historic locations. read more

Stunning! There are around 22 squares (we learned on our carriage ride) and Wrights square is just beautiful. I think it would be hard to pick a favorite square because they all feature some different statue of some sort that tells a story of Savannah's long history. Wright's Square features a monument commemorating William Gordon, as well as Tomochichi. I'll leave out all the history stuff to those wondering so you can hear all about it when you are there :) read more

Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

This is a definite must visit while you're in the city. It's peaceful and a reminder of Savannah's rich history. It's in the heart of restaurants and shops so you can just enjoy the stroll and take it all in. You'll also have the chance to take some really nice pics and enjoy some really good people watching....if that's your thing. :) read more

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I've reviewed this Square previously. I love it! It's peaceful, and there's live music almost daily. The church's bells don't just chime to tell you the time, they play actual songs. There's always a buzz of tourists and locals. It's a very cool place to chill. This is my favorite square. read more

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Wright Square has two of the most impressive monuments in all of downtown - a towering statue and an enormous boulder, and both have quite the story. This was only our second stop during a recent walking tour (the first being Johnson Square) and my head was already packed with knowledge! The square was first a grave site for Chief Tomo-Chi-Chi, the Tamacraw chief who offered peace and cooperation when Savannah settles moved in. However, after William W. Gordon brought immense wealth to Savannah, the townspeople felt he should be honored and replaced the grave with a memorial. Unfortunately they probably scattered the chief's bones when this took place, and thus have since added the rock monument to the square for Tomo-Chi-Chi. With displaced graves, you can only imagine that this square is haunted. But don't let that distract you from the beautiful Oak Trees and knoweldge that Wright Square was one of the first four square to the laid out in Savannah. read more

Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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One of my many favorite squares in Savannah. Nice central location close to Broughton Street. The second square established in Savannah, Percival Square was named for Lord Percival, generally regarded as the man who gave the colony of Georgia its name (a tribute to Great Britain's King George II). It was renamed in 1763 to honor James Wright, the third, last and perhaps most notable of Georgia's royal governors. Throughout its history it has also been known as Court House Square and Post Office Square; the present Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is adjacent to the west. The square is the burial site of Tomochichi, a leader of the Creek nation of Native Americans. Tomochichi was a trusted friend of James Oglethorpe and assisted him in the founding of his colony. When Tomochichi died in 1739 Oglethorpe ordered him buried with military honors in the center of Percival Square. In accordance with his people's customs the grave was marked by a pyramid of stones gathered from the surrounding area. In 1883, citizens wishing to honor William Washington Gordon replaced Tomochichi's monument with an elaborate and highly allegorical monument to Gordon. William Gordon is thus the only native Savannahian honored with a monument in one of the city's squares. Gordon's own widow objected strongly to this perceived insult to Tomochichi. She and other members of the Colonial Dames of the State of Georgia planned to erect a new monument to Tomochichi, made of granite from Stone Mountain. The Stone Mountain Monument Company offered the material at no cost. Mrs. Gordon felt that she was being condescended to and insisted on paying. The Monument Company sent her a bill--some sources say for fifty cents, others for one dollar--payable on Judgment Day. Mrs. Gordon paid the bill and attached a note explaining that on Judgment Day she would be occupied with her own affairs. The new monument was erected in 1899. It stands in the southeast corner of the square and eulogizes Tomochichi as a great friend of James Oglethorpe and the people of Georgia. Wright Square is on Bull, between State and York Streets. read more

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Very Historic;Stopped by on the way home from a doctors appointment, It was beautiful,It was rainy and cool; I Would reccomend this to anyonewho comes to visit,Even people who come to live here.Beautiful Live Oaks,Lots of tourists.Possibly my favorite Square of Savannah. read more

Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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Wright Square contains Tomo-Chi-Chi's burial place and monument. It is a fairly quiet square, good for people watching as many travel through going to and from Broughton or to get to the many lovely shops surrounding Wright Square. read more

The second square established in Savannah, Percival Square was named for Lord Percival, generally regarded as the man who gave the colony of Georgia its name (a tribute to Great Britain's King George II). It was renamed in 1763 to honor James Wright, the third, last and perhaps most notable of Georgia's royal governors. Throughout its history it has also been known as Court House Square and Post Office Square; the present Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is adjacent to the west. The square is the burial site of Tomochichi, a leader of the Creek nation of Native Americans. Tomochichi was a trusted friend of James Oglethorpe and assisted him in the founding of his colony. When Tomochichi died in 1739 Oglethorpe ordered him buried with military honors in the center of Percival Square. In accordance with his people's customs the grave was marked by a pyramid of stones gathered from the surrounding area. In 1883, citizens wishing to honor William Washington Gordon replaced Tomochichi's monument with an elaborate and highly allegorical monument to Gordon.[8] William Gordon is thus the only native Savannahian honored with a monument in one of the city's squares. Gordon's own widow objected strongly to this perceived insult to Tomochichi. She and other members of the Colonial Dames of the State of Georgia planned to erect a new monument to Tomochichi, made of granite from Stone Mountain. The Stone Mountain Monument Company offered the material at no cost. Mrs. Gordon felt that she was being condescended to and insisted on paying. The Monument Company sent her a bill--some sources say for fifty cents, others for one dollar--payable on Judgment Day. Mrs. Gordon paid the bill and attached a note explaining that on Judgment Day she would be occupied with her own affairs. The new monument was erected in 1899. It stands in the southeast corner of the square and eulogizes Tomochichi as a great friend of James Oglethorpe and the people of Georgia. Wright Square is on Bull, between State and York Streets. read more

Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

I really enjoyed this square more so than many of the others. It has a great sculpture reaching for the sky in the center of the square. It is middle to all the activity in the historic area. This square is one of the quieter squares to sit in and read. Do not miss the chance to just relax and listen to the sounds around. I stopped in and listened to a young gentleman play the violin in the park. It was an amazingly rich experience and I tossed him some gratuity for the wonderful ambience. read more

Wright Square - Wright Square - Parks Near Me - Savannah, Georgia

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Lovely square in Old historic Savannah. Very beautiful with the oak trees, and especially atmospheric at night. Very cool old buildings around as well with nice southern charm. The statue in the middle is a bit abstract but cool. read more

This is one of Savannah's original four squares, laid out by James Oglethorpe when he founded the city all those years ago. Since it predates the Revolutionary War it shouldn't be surprising that the square was named after one of the state's British governors. But I find it remarkable that square has not since been renamed after some hero of the Revolution or of the Civil War. I think speaks to the city having great respect for its past, even when it affronts tropes of narrow-minded patriotism. read more