Columbia Square

Located in Savannah are The Squares which the city was created around, they were originally created as a space for military exercises. Over the centuries many squares have been created in the honor of persons or historical events and contain markers or monuments.

Columbia Square was laid out in 1799 for the poetic personification of the United States Columbia. A fountain stands in the center of the square to honor Augusta and Wymberly DeRenne who were descendants of Noble Jones where the fountain once stood. The fountain was decorated with vines, leaves, flowers and other woodland motifs. This square is located on Habersham between State and York Streets.

Each square sits in the center of a ward and often shares its name with the square. Lots that are located east and west of the squares are considered 'trust lots' and were intended for large public building such as schools or churches. Many grand homes also stand on trust lots such as Mercer House.

The squares have been called, the most intelligent grid in American and is one of the finest diagrams for city organization and they are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The squares have helped to stabilize neighborhood in Savannah that were deteriorating and have revitalized the downtown commercial district. The squares are a major tourist destination with millions of people visiting the squares each year.