Franklin Square

A Glimpse into History

Tucked in the northwestern corner of Savannah's historic district, Franklin Square stands at the crossroads of Montgomery Street and West St. Julian Street. Established in 1790, it's one of the 22 squares that give Savannah its distinctive charm and character.

The square bears the name of Benjamin Franklin - yes, that Benjamin Franklin - who served as Georgia's colonial agent in London from 1768 to 1775, long before his face would grace the $100 bill.

Transformations Over Time

Franklin Square has worn many hats throughout its existence. During the mid to late 19th century, it housed the city's water infrastructure - first a 40-foot-tall water tower that drew from the Savannah River, and later an 87-foot-high reservoir with a capacity of around 180,000 gallons. It's those later structures that earned the square quirky nicknames like "Water Tower Square," "Water Tank Square," and "Reservoir Square."

The square also has a darker footnote in Savannah's story: the Great Savannah Fire of 1820, one of the most destructive blazes in the city's history, started right here - in a livery stable on the square. More recently, 1935 brought some tough love when part of the square was sacrificed to make way for U.S. Highway 17. But like any good comeback story, Franklin Square experienced a revival in the mid-1980s, coinciding with Georgia's 250th founding anniversary celebrations, and today stands restored.

Monument with a Message

At the heart of Franklin Square stands the Haitian Monument, a powerful sculpture by James Mastin that many visitors might not expect to find. This striking memorial honors the Haitian soldiers - known as "Chasseurs-Volontaires de Saint-Domingue" - who fought alongside American colonists during the 1779 Siege of Savannah.

The monument includes a depiction of Henri Christophe, who joined the fight as a 12-year-old drummer boy before eventually becoming Haiti's army commander and later king. It's a fascinating piece of Revolutionary War history that often gets overlooked in textbooks.

Notable Neighbors

The square is in good company. Its western edge is home to the First African Baptist Church, the oldest Black Christian congregation in North America. Organized in 1788 (a full 12 years before Savannah's first white Baptist church), with worship dating back even earlier to 1777, this church is a landmark of American religious history.

You can find Franklin Square sitting at the western end of City Market, making it a convenient stop while exploring shops, grabbing a bite, or hunting for antiques. Tour buses frequently park nearby, and you might spot some small vendors or even treat yourself at the local French bakery. Also worth knowing about is Sweet Georgia Brown's, a piano bar at 312 West St. Julian Street that earned a place in the cultural spotlight after being featured in John Berendt's 1994 bestseller "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" - the true-crime book that introduced Savannah's historic district to a whole new generation of visitors.

What to Know Before You Go

If you need a quick rest, you'll find several benches scattered throughout the square, however picnic tables and restrooms aren't available. Feel free to bring your four-legged friend along - dogs on leashes are welcome here.

Franklin Square isn't the largest of Savannah's squares, and you'll likely take it in rather quickly. But its location makes it an effortless addition to your Savannah wanderings, and the historical significance packed into this modest space is well worth your time.