Information
Landmark: Johnson SquareCity: Savannah
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Johnson Square, Savannah, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Johnson Square is Savannah’s oldest public square, a place steeped in history where worn brick paths lead past centuries-old monuments.Founded in 1733, it anchors Savannah’s beginnings and shapes the city’s layout, forming a key piece of General James Oglethorpe’s grid of shaded, oak-lined squares.Johnson Square sits at the very center of Savannah’s Historic District, where brick paths wind beneath the shade of old oak trees.East Bryan Street marks the northern edge, East Congress Street runs along the south, Barnard Street borders the west, and Bull Street frames the east.Bull Street cuts straight through Johnson Square, its brick paths and shady trees marking the spot where this busy north–south route meets the heart of Savannah’s street grid.Johnson Square, named for Robert Johnson-the colonial governor of South Carolina who backed the founding of Georgia-was the very first of Savannah’s 22 historic squares to take shape, its brick paths laid under the hot coastal sun.Johnson Square, the city’s first central gathering place, quickly buzzed with government business, bustling trade, and lively conversations in the warm air of colonial and early America.The square has hosted pivotal moments in history, and it still echoes Savannah’s beginnings and lasting heritage, like the faint creak of old wooden benches under the shade of ancient oaks.In the heart of Johnson Square rises a striking monument to General Nathanael Greene, the Revolutionary War hero who helped turn the tide in the Southern campaign.Built in 1825, this weathered stone monument ranks among the city’s oldest and honors Greene’s leadership and lasting legacy in battle.In the square, towering live oaks stretch wide branches draped with soft Spanish moss, while paved paths wind past benches and neat green lawns, creating a warm, inviting retreat in the city.Around Johnson Square, stately brick facades stand beside bustling storefronts, a blend of history and commerce that traces Savannah’s growth from its colonial roots to today.Around the square, you’ll spot historic banks, stately office buildings, and old churches-among them the First Bryan Baptist Church-and a scattering of 18th- and 19th-century landmarks that add layers of character to its architecture.The square once buzzed with trade, lined with early shops selling goods and banks just a short walk away.In the heart of Savannah’s downtown, Johnson Square still buzzes with life, drawing crowds for community events, weekend markets, and evening gatherings under its shady trees.Set in a spot rich with history, it draws crowds eager to wander Savannah’s streets and feel the city’s past and present come alive.Johnson Square, the city’s first public square, marks the birthplace of Savannah’s distinctive town plan and stands as a vivid reminder of its colonial roots, civic pride, and unbroken history-brick paths worn smooth under centuries of footsteps.Johnson Square anchors Savannah’s historic identity-it’s the city’s oldest square, yet still hums with the life of its markets, music, and everyday bustle.It reflects Savannah’s colonial roots, honors the city’s Revolutionary War heroes, and still hums with life as a gathering place in the heart of the Historic District, where brick paths wind beneath old oak trees.
