Haunted Columbia Square

The History of Columbia Square

Columbia Square dates to Savannah’s second expansion. In 1799 it was laid out as Court House Square under General James Oglethorpe’s city plan, then renamed in 1818 for Columbia, the poetic personification of America. In its early days the square looked very different – it marked the boundary of Savannah’s Eastern Commons, a rough neighborhood of taverns, boarding houses, and even brothels. Waves of Irish, German and African-American laborers lived here alongside sailors and dockworkers. The stately Federal-style Davenport House was built on the northwest corner in 1820 by master builder Isaiah Davenport; after his death it briefly housed boarders and slaves. By the late 19th century the Kehoe family, Irish immigrants turned successful industrialists, had built two elegant brick mansions on the square (one in 1885, the grander one in 1892).

The square’s heart is the Wormsloe Fountain, a cast-iron garden fountain transplanted from Savannah’s Wormsloe Plantation in 1970 and dedicated to the Derenne family. For much of the 20th century Columbia Square faced destruction. In the 1940s city planners eyed it for a roadway, and by the 1950s the once-grand Davenport House had fallen into dangerous disrepair. A passionate group of women rallied to save the home, founding the Historic Savannah Foundation in 1955 – with Columbia Square at the center of their fight. They purchased and restored the Davenport House, halting plans to demolish the square. Today that preservation effort makes Savannah’s Historic District one of the largest and best-preserved in America. In fact the Historic Savannah Foundation’s headquarters now occupy the adjacent Abraham Sheftall House on the square (another early 19th-century home, moved to this site). Columbia Square remains a quiet green oasis in the city, framed by the story-rich facades of these old homes.

Savannah itself has a storied past, and Columbia Square felt its impact. The neighborhood endured yellow fever epidemics in the 1800s (which claimed the lives of many children in local families), the strains of the Civil War, and cycles of growth and decline. Historic markers note that the square once lay on the edge of the city, which is why it was chosen for executions and duels in the early days. While the town’s original gallows were actually located at nearby Wright Square, whispered stories passed down by locals and guides claim that gallows once stood here. Whether or not these tales are strictly factual, Columbia Square’s past is undeniably tinged with hardship and change – a legacy that locals say still lingers in the very air.

Why Is Columbia Square Considered Haunted?

Savannah’s haunted reputation is well-earned, and Columbia Square has its place at the center of that lore. People often wonder why this peaceful little park draws ghost stories. The answer lies in its history and the many tales told by guides and residents. Over the decades, tour guides have collected countless anecdotes of paranormal activity linked to the square’s neighbors. The horrifying details of Anna’s suicide in Room 204 of the 17Hundred90 Inn, or the tragic losses experienced by families at the Davenport and Kehoe houses, give these stories weight. As Ghost City Tours puts it, “Justice and injustice meet in the afterlife” at Columbia Square, referring to the duels and executions of old.

In practical terms, Columbia Square isn’t haunted in the same way some New Orleans cemeteries are. Rather, the hauntings are associated with the buildings around the square. Still, the square acts as a focal point for those tales. Guides say the fountain hides the memory of a gallows, the live oaks have heard countless whispered promises and fights, and the brick sidewalks echo with the footsteps of the long departed. Ghost tour companies have popularized Columbia Square by linking reported sightings to actual history. For example, the persistent legend of the Irish servant Anna at the 17Hundred90 has been repeated in ghost tours since at least the late 20th century. Similarly, stories of phantom laughter and crying at the Kehoe House or ghostly a meowing cat at Davenport House started circulating as people first opened those houses to the public. Over time, these overlapping legends and reported experiences have cemented Columbia Square’s status as a haunted hotspot.

At the Kehoe House, a grand brick mansion on the west side of the square, visitors report the playful spirits of children. These sightings are less dramatic than Anna’s story but chilling in their familiarity. Staff have heard small laughter and the patter of tiny footsteps behind them as they walk empty corridors. Guests say they awaken to feel something brushing against their legs, as if curious little hands are reaching out in the dark. In one account, a long marble hallway rang with the sound of a ball bouncing and a child giggling, but when turned on, the lights revealed only an empty corridor. Other visitors notice mysterious temperature drops on the second floor or the scent of perfume and tobacco drifting without source – whispered to be echoes of Kehoe family members or of the building’s days as a funeral home. Some even say they have glimpsed a tall, legless apparition gliding through a room late at night, described as “warm” rather than menacing. The legend of two Kehoe children tragically trapped in a chimney persists, and while it’s almost certainly folklore, it adds to the house’s eerie charm. Ultimately, people attest that the Kehoe House rarely feels empty, as if generations of its young inhabitants are still playing hide-and-seek in its rooms.

Inside the Davenport House, history and hauntings collide. Guides point out where Isaiah Davenport and his family once lived, and then tell of the ghostly cat that strolls the halls. Visitors to the house museum are routinely startled by the sight of an orange-and-white tabby ghost in the corner, which disappears whenever approached. Some staff call it “Colonel Kitten” and have even had it follow their tour group down the stairs before vanishing through a wall. Along with the phantom feline, a small girl in white is said to haunt the upstairs bedrooms or gaze out a second-story window. People who have seen her describe a sudden drop in temperature, the quiet sound of a child humming, or a fleeting glimpse of a child’s silhouette on the staircase before she melts into the air. A tour guide once told of a visitor who thought a living child was playing in the attic; when employees investigated, they found the door locked and no one there – only to later see the young figure vanish in the courtyard. No one knows who the girl might be, but they note that the Davenport children suffered and many boarders died of fever in that house. These combined legends make the Davenport House a key stop on ghost tours and a source of spine-tingling stories at Columbia Square.

Visiting Columbia Square: What to Expect

At any hour Columbia Square exudes a special atmosphere. By day it’s a quiet, leafy park. Morning light filters through Spanish moss, highlighting the cast-iron Wormsloe Fountain and the red-brick facades of historic mansions. In the gentle sun, you might see tourists snapping photos of the fountain or walking guided tours pointing out centuries-old plaques. In the golden hour before sunset the square takes on a dreamy glow – a perfect time for photographs of the vibrant hydrangeas, wrought-iron fences, and curved staircase at the Davenport House.

After dark the mood shifts. Flickering streetlights and lanterns throw dancing shadows from the oaks. You’ll often find ghost-tour groups gathering by the fountain to hear storytelling. The hush of night amplifies every sound – the distant rumble of trolley wheels on cobblestones, the hoot of an owl, or the rustle of live oak branches in the wind. This is when paranormal tales feel most real. Photography tips: Bring a flash for night shots of the fountain, or try a long exposure to capture soft light on the brick square. At dusk, the Davenport House and Kehoe House glow warmly under lamps – ideal for dramatic silhouette shots. Just be careful not to disturb any locals or ghost-tour audiences who might be passing by.

Columbia Square is fully open to the public; the pathways around the fountain are paved and wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, though the surrounding sidewalks are uneven brick in places. There is metered street parking on Habersham and President Streets just outside the square, and the city-owned State Street Parking Garage (near Oglethorpe Square, 3 blocks west) is convenient for longer visits. A free downtown shuttle stops within a few blocks, and ride-share services also operate in the Historic District. Nearby landmarks make it easy to navigate: the Owens-Thomas House is just across Habersham Street to the west on Oglethorpe Square, and the famous Colonial Park Cemetery lies a short walk south.

Many guided ghost tours in Savannah include Columbia Square on their route. If you are booking a haunted walking tour near Columbia Square, look for those that mention Davenport House or Kehoe House – top-rated tours often highlight these spots. In fact, Columbia Square is frequently named as one of the best haunted places in Savannah. Tours like Ghost City Tours, Blue Orb, or others typically pause at the fountain or the Davenport House to share chilling anecdotes. Whether you wander on your own or join a group, expect to learn ghost lore alongside history.

Things to Do Near Columbia Square

• Davenport House Museum – Early-19th-century Federal mansion on the north side of Columbia Square, restored as a museum and visitor center. Take a guided tour to learn about Savannah’s first preservation effort (and perhaps spot the ghost cat).
• Kehoe House – Grand 1890s brick home on the square’s west side, now a boutique inn. You can admire its Corinthian columns and gardens (day visitors sometimes peek into the lobby); overnight guests report paranormal encounters.
• Owens-Thomas House – A block west on Oglethorpe Square, this grand Regency mansion offers tours including its historic Slave Quarters. It’s one of Savannah’s finest house museums and a popular photo spot.

Is Columbia Square Worth Visiting?

Yes. Columbia Square is a quiet gem that rewards both history buffs and ghost seekers alike. By day you feel immersed in Savannah’s Victorian charm – the square’s flowering gardens and ironwork give a soothing, romantic atmosphere. By twilight the mood turns electric: the weight of history seems to press through the oak trees and along the brick paths, and you might feel a shiver wondering if something unseen walks beside you. The square’s legacy – from the gallows folklore to the birth of the preservation movement – gives every step a story. Whether or not you encounter anything paranormal, the emotional resonance of this place is undeniable. It is rich with Southern gothic flair, capturing the bittersweet mix of beauty and tragedy. For anyone seeking an authentic Savannah experience, Columbia Square shines as one of the city’s best haunted places, a quiet crossroads of past and present that will linger in your memory long after you leave.

Frequently Asked Questions About Columbia Square