When James Oglethorpe and Colonel William Bull laid out Savannah, they included squares -- not for beauty, as a visitor to Savannah might think today, but as a military training ground.

Tythings Wards Percival - For Lord Percival Heathcote - George Heathcote MP Derby Earl of Derby, patron Decker Sir Matthew Decker, benefactor

When the colonists arrived they were fully aware that their job was building and defending the colony of Georgia. To this end, Oglethorpe created a militia known as the "Tythings" headed by Peter Gordon. Each of the original four districts of militia had a square on which to train.

The first square was named Johnson Square, in honor of South Carolina governor Robert Johnson, who greeted James Oglethorpe when The Ann docked in Charleston, and gave aid and assistance to the colonists, mostly in the form of Colonel William Bull, who accompanied Oglethorpe, Gordon and others as they explored for a suitable location for the new colony of Georgia. In the center of Johnson Square is a monument in memory of General Nathaniel Greene, renown commander of the Southern Department during the Revolutionary War. On the square's perimeter is Christ Church. Bull St. and St. Julian.

Wright Square was originally named for Lord Percival, who is generally regarded as the man who gave the colony of Georgia its name. Renamed in 1763, it is the second square to exist. James Wright was the most successful royal governors to oversee the colony of Georgia. At the center of this square is a monument to William Washington Gordon, perhaps best known today as the grandfather of Juliet Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Guides (Girl Scouts). He was president of the Central of Georgia Railroad. On the perimeter of Wright Square is the Post Office, the old county courthouse and the Lutheran Church of the Ascension. Bull St. and President St.

Ellis Square, which was one of the original squares laid out by Oglethorpe in 1733 remained little more than "open space" during much of its 160 years of existance. In 1954, the city market, which had operated here, leased the square for 50 years and built a parking garage. City Market is adjacent to the square. Barnard and St. Julian.

Telfair Square is last of the "first four" squares. Oglethorpe named this St. James Square, after a noted London greenspace. On its perimeter is the Telfair Museum and Trinity United Methodist Church. Barnard at President.


Location: Downtown Savannah
Directions: Take I-16 to exit 167 (Montgomery St. / Savannah / Civic Ctr / Downtown). This is the end of I-16. The road merges with Montgomery St. Almost immediately turn right on Liberty St. and take it to Drayton (.2 miles). Turn left and continue for .2 miles. Turn left on President St. Wright Square will be directly in front of you.
Additional information:

Date added: January 4, 2004
Last update: January 6, 2004