11 June 2008

Savannah Squares

Ok, so I started off 2008 with a daytrip to Savannah, GA. When Savannah was founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, he envisioned a colony where citizens who became bankrupt in England could find a new life, free of slavery, alcohol, and other distractions. He also created a city built around squares, small parks at regular intervals to give the town a sense of peace. These squares still exist today, a tribute to his vision. While some are simply a patch of grass and trees that interupt the urban sprawl, others contain monuments and other objects of historic interest, and these squares were the subject of my visit. Also, as seen above, they are an excellent way to see elegant old houses, some of which are also historic.
Chatham County Courthouse




All of these are on Telfair Square, which was originally laid out in 1733 as St James Square, but was renamed in 1883 in honor of the Telfair family, whose home and now art museum is on the square. A view of the square itself is seen below.


This marker and fountain are located on Orleans Square, laid out in 1815 and named in honor of the American victory at New Orleans.

This is Pulaski Square, laid out in 1837 and named to honor Polish Count Casimir Pulaski, who was killed in the Battle of Savannah as the highest ranking foreign officer to be killed in the Revolution.
This is Chatham Square, laid out in 1847 and named for William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, an early friend of the Colony, and also who the county is named for.
This interesting row of townhouses is known as Gordon Row.




No comments: