Information
Landmark: Lafayette SquareCity: Savannah
Country: USA Georgia
Continent: North America
Lafayette Square, Savannah, USA Georgia, North America
Overview
Lafayette Square sits in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District, a quiet patch of brick paths and moss-draped oaks that’s counted among the city’s most charming and storied public squares.They named it for the Marquis de Lafayette, the French hero who fought in the American Revolutionary War, a tribute to his role in winning independence.Lafayette Square sits in the northern stretch of Savannah’s downtown grid, framed by Abercorn Street on the east, Habersham Street on the west, East Harris Street to the south, and East Charlton Street to the north, where the shade from old oaks spills onto the brick walkways.Lafayette Square, like every one of Savannah’s historic squares, was woven into General James Oglethorpe’s 1733 city plan, its grassy park framed by stately homes and brick civic buildings.The square, created in 1837, took its name from the Marquis de Lafayette at a time when Savannah was eager to celebrate heroes of the Revolutionary War, much like the city’s oak-shaded streets still honor its past.For generations, people have met in Lafayette Square to celebrate, remember, and simply unwind beneath its moss-draped oaks, a living reflection of Savannah’s colonial and antebellum past.In the center of the square rises a towering monument to Nathanael Greene, the Continental Army major general who helped turn the tide in the South during the Revolutionary War.A tall column rises from the base, crowned with a figure of Greene, a tribute to his military leadership and his role in Georgia’s struggle for independence.In Lafayette Square, towering live oaks sway under veils of Spanish moss, with shady benches tucked among lush greenery and winding paths that invite a quiet, scenic stroll.Lafayette Square sits amid graceful historic buildings-grand old mansions with broad porches and stately churches like Christ Church Episcopal, one of Georgia’s oldest, its stone walls standing since the 1700s.Nearby homes and buildings brim with classic Southern charm, from wrought-iron balconies that catch the afternoon sun to warm brick fronts and wide, welcoming porches.Community and Tourism: In the heart of the bustling Historic District, the square offers locals and visitors alike a quiet place to pause, shaded by old oak trees.People love wandering here, snapping photos, and soaking in Savannah’s rare mix of history, culture, and the shade of its moss-draped oaks.Seasonal festivals, guided strolls, and lively historic reenactments often spill into Lafayette Square, drawn by its central location and the shade of its old oak trees.Lafayette Square in Savannah anchors the city’s historic heart, with quiet marble monuments, graceful old buildings, and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss that capture the charm and heritage of one of America’s most treasured cities.
