Architecture & Design // 3 min Read

Hip to Be Square

Written by Palmetto Bluff

Spend an afternoon in the Historic District of Savannah, and you’ll notice that its planning is unlike most American cities.

Arranged within the perpendicular streets of houses and buildings is a series of rectangular parks, each about two blocks apart. The squares give the downtown a more spacious, relaxed feel, causing traffic to move at a leisurely pace and providing a breath of fresh air amid the rush of the city. Today, each square is a unique and beautiful memorial to one of Savannah’s many historical figures and events, but they originally served a much more utilitarian purpose.

Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, Savannah was the first city established in the new colony of Georgia. Oglethorpe was a methodical man, and, true to his nature, he made sure that his city was well-planned before any construction began. Rather than the tightly-packed rows of houses familiar in England, Oglethorpe designed the city like a military camp — squares of open space, surrounded by houses. Savannah’s squares were intended to provide an open area for military exercises and town gatherings.

Additionally, the squares created spacing between buildings, which, the thought was, might prevent the devastating fires that had plagued London and other cities in the past. (This was only marginally successful, as Savannah suffered at least two catastrophic fires in 1820 and 1865.)

The original plan for the city called for a total of six squares. Johnson Square was the first to be constructed. Located between Bryan and Congress Streets and intersected by Bull Street, it is named after Robert Johnson, a friend of Oglethorpe’s and the governor of the Province of South Carolina in the early 1700s. In 1718, Governor Johnson, gained fame and popularity among the colonists by personally organizing a ship, to be led by Colonel William Rhett, a military hero, to find and eliminate the pirates plaguing the coast. Within weeks, Rhett captured Stede Bonnet, known as the “Gentleman Pirate” because of his semi-aristocratic upbringing. Bonnet had begun his crime spree barely a year before, when he abandoned his life as a wealthy planter and purchased a ship (an unusual departure from conventional piratical hijacking), hired a crew, and set off to create havoc. After a drawn-out battle, Rhett’s crew managed to take Bonnet’s ship and returned to Charleston with Bonnet and his crew in shackles. Despite his pleas for leniency, Bonnet was eventually hanged, leaving Governor Johnson with a public relations coup and more peaceful South Carolina.%GALLERY%The second square to be constructed was Wright Square, rechristened in 1763 to honor a royal governor of Georgia. Wright Square bears the distinction of containing the remains of Tomochichi, a chief of the local Creek tribe, who became a staunch ally of Oglethorpe and who aided the first settlers in Savannah. A granite boulder from Stone Mountain has replaced the pile of stones that at one time marked the grave of Tomochichi, but there is a more unusual memorial of the life of this great leader. A portrait of Tomochichi and his nephew, painted during their visit to London in 1734, preserves not only the likeness of a distinguished man but also a rare image of an early 18th century Native American.

Ellis Square, the third of the original four squares and also named for a royal governor, was constructed as the primary marketplace of the town of Savannah. In the 1950s, a brick market building that had occupied the square for a century was demolished, and a parking garage was erected in its place. The destruction of the Ellis Square market had a silver lining, though: it led to the start of the historic preservation movement in Savannah and ultimately the renovation and reopening of the square.

Telfair Square, Reynolds Square, and Oglethorpe Square round out the six squares called for by General Oglethorpe’s plan. During the rest of the 18th century, six new squares were constructed, and 12 more were completed by 1851. Today, the charming and verdant squares are not only links to the past, but collectively are a vision for the future: Savannah’s city planners still refer to Oglethorpe’s designs and continue to incorporate green spaces wherever possible.

Culture
Finding Fish

Following the tides and angling for redfish in Lowcountry creeks and estuaries with Captains Brian Vaughn and Will Stephens Story by Sandy Lang It is a sunny morning in October and the water is calm and glassy. The silence is punctuated by a gush of breath f...

Jun 2025
home upkeep checklist

Real Estate
Get Ahead of Spring Cleaning: How to Upkeep Your Luxury Lowcountry Home

7 Ways To Upkeep Your Palmetto Bluff Home As spring arrives in the Lowcountry, the change in season brings more than blooming marshlands and sun-drenched afternoons; it’s also a perfect time to refresh and care for your Palmetto Bluff home. Coastal living mea...

May 2025

Discover the Next Great Chapter in Golf Course Design, Only at Palmetto Bluff

When the land speaks, you listen. And at Palmetto Bluff, it spoke to two of golf’s most legendary course designers—Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. We invite you to watch our newest video, shot this past winter and featuring Bill and Ben, along with South Street P...

May 2025
home renovations 2025

Architecture & Design
Renovations That Will Increase Your Home’s Value in 2025

5 Renovations to Increase the Value of Your Lowcountry Home Whether Palmetto Bluff is your full-time residence or a cherished retreat, deciding to sell is never a quick or casual choice. However, when the time does come, you want your home to be as market-rea...

May 2025

Food & Wine
Talking Sauce with Chef Rhy Waddington

Chef Rhy Waddington is always thinking about elevating the dining experience, down to the smallest detail. His most recent creation is perfect for the summer season - a trio of BBQ sauces designed to complement the property’s barbecue offerings and beyond. We ...

May 2025

Club Life
Dive Into Summer: The Pools of Palmetto Bluff

Summer at Palmetto Bluff is all about soaking up the sun, cooling off in style, and enjoying the simple pleasures of Lowcountry living. From peaceful afternoons at The Lodge Pools to lively family fun at Moreland, our pools offer a perfect se...

May 2025

Culture
Divided Loyalties: A Walk Through the Revolutionary War

On July 5th, the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy will partner with South Carolina 250 (SC250) to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with a special walking tour honoring Beaufort County’s often-overlooked role in the war. Led by archaeologist Kati...

May 2025
28 yearling road

Real Estate
Real Estate Spotlight: 28 Yearling Road

Explore 28 Yearling Road in River Road Neighborhood Tucked within the heart of Palmetto Bluff’s beloved River Road neighborhood, 28 Yearling Road is a masterclass in Lowcountry elegance—where timeless architecture meets modern comfort, and every detail invite...

May 2025

Culture
Local Character | Captain Thomas Shanahan

The Bluff | Spring/Summer 2025 Tell me about where you grew up. I was born and raised on Broad Creek in Hilton Head and I’ve been boating and fishing since I was a tiny kid. I got into the industry when I was eight. I’d go down to Shelter Creek Marina and be...

May 2025
crossroads 9-hole golf course

Sporting Life
The Ultimate Crossroads Golf Course Experience

How to Enjoy a Day of Golf at Crossroads  At Palmetto Bluff, Crossroads nine-hole golf course offers more than a place to play—it provides a sense of belonging. While the course layout is thoughtfully designed and visually stunning, what sets Crossroads apart...

Apr 2025

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us