Haunted Johnson Square

The History of Johnson Square

Johnson Square has been central to Savannah’s story since the colony’s founding. In 1733 General James Oglethorpe laid out the city on a grid of squares, and Johnson Square became the first and largest. Named for Robert Johnson (a colonial governor of South Carolina who helped finance Georgia’s founding), the square was the new town’s “beating heart.” Early on, it hosted public ovens and mills under its trees – in fact, two large communal ovens once stood on the square’s lots, where the community’s bread was baked. It was also the site of Savannah’s first trust-lot church; that congregation would eventually build the brick Christ Church now on the square’s corner.

The square saw its share of historic moments. In July 1776, after the Second Continental Congress declared independence, a copy of the Declaration of Independence was publicly read to Savannah’s townspeople right on Johnson Square – one of the earliest readings in Georgia. During the Revolutionary War, Savannah changed hands between British and American forces, but Johnson Square remained a rallying point for patriots. Its most famous later occupant would be General Nathanael Greene: after he died of malaria near Savannah in 1786, his remains were honored under a new monument. In 1825 the city erected a 50-foot marble obelisk in Johnson Square and interred Greene (and his young son) beneath it, cementing the square’s connection to Savannah’s Revolutionary history. The Marquis de Lafayette, visiting in 1825, even laid the monument’s cornerstone himself.

Through the 19th century, Johnson Square evolved with the city. In 1838 the congregation built a grand new brick Christ Church on the square’s southeast corner (that 1838 church still stands). The square’s northwest corner once held the Pulaski House hotel (opened 1835), a lively inn where many travelers stayed – it was also the home of six-year-old Gracie Watson, who later became a local legend. Though the old Pulaski House burned down in the early 20th century, its legacy lives on in Savannah lore. In 1906 Savannah completed its elegant City Hall on the north side of Johnson Square, its Italian Renaissance dome becoming a skyline landmark. Soon after, the Savannah Bank Building (1911) rose on the west side, marking the square’s role as a financial center.

Despite these changes, Johnson Square retained its open, park-like feel. The two communal ovens were replaced in the late 19th century by identical cast-iron fountains on the east and west lawns (their gentle flow and central locations continue to gather people). A small sundial pedestal (the William Bull sundial) was placed on the south side in 1933 to honor Savannah’s colonial surveyor. Today Johnson Square is still a gracious green patch amid the city grid – a living museum where every monument and mossy shade tree recalls Savannah’s past.

Why Is Johnson Square Considered Haunted?

Savannah’s Johnson Square carries a haunted reputation because legend and history intertwine here more dramatically than in other squares. One reason is General Nathanael Greene’s tomb. After the Civil War, Union soldiers occupied Savannah and disturbed older cemeteries, which led to Greene being reinterred in Johnson Square under the 1825 obelisk. Some locals whisper that his spirit never quite rests. An even quirkier detail fuels the lore: Johnson Square’s live oaks famously lack Spanish moss. Folklore jokingly credits Greene’s restless spirit for banishing the moss (since he supposedly believed it spread disease). In reality the square’s breezy, waterfront microclimate likely keeps moss from settling. Either way, the odd absence of moss has become part of the mystery for ghost-story lovers.

The haunting reputation deepened with personal tragedy. In 1889 six-year-old Gracie Watson – a spirited child whose father managed a hotel on the square – suddenly fell ill and died on Johnson Square. The city was heartbroken. Gracie’s parents even commissioned a marble statue of her at Bonaventure Cemetery to remember her. Shortly after her death, whispered sightings began: locals claimed to see a ghostly little girl on Johnson Square, often near the fountain or Greene’s monument. Tour guides say Gracie’s apparition appears laughing or playing. One famous story has it that if you sit very still on a bench after dusk, Gracie will silently place a fresh wildflower in your lap before darting away. The details change (one witness says she heard a giggle, another felt a gentle tap), but the theme is the same: Little Gracie is seen as a friendly ghost playing in the square she loved.

Finally, Savannah’s thriving ghost-tour culture ensured Johnson Square’s legends would grow. By the late 20th century, storytellers cataloged every curious detail. Savannah’s Paranormal Society once jokingly noted “Johnson Square is one of the most haunted” because of supposed executions, even though historical records place the gallows at Wright Square. Still, the very idea of tortured souls in Johnson Square became part of the narrative. Every Savannah ghost tour mentions how Greene’s statue might still have a watchful eye, or how Gracie’s spirit still dances on the grass. None of these tales are proven, but each person who repeats them adds another layer.

In truth, even paranormal investigators treat Johnson Square as “haunted by stories” more than by evidence. One veteran hunter quipped that ghost-hunting tools at Greene’s tomb yield nothing more than static or a chilly breeze. Many have tried spirit boxes or cameras around the monument and come up empty. As one local guide puts it, probing Johnson Square for ghosts is “like fishing” – you hope for a tug, but mostly you just get wet knees. For most Savannahans, the haunted reputation exists because the stories are fun and fitting. When the moss rustles and the lamplight flickers, it’s easy to let your imagination step in.

Beyond these headliners, a host of smaller specters are said to linger. Ghost tour narrators often point out that on misty nights you can feel sudden cold spots, or hear faint laughter or whispers that vanish when you turn around. For instance, one visitor claimed she distinctly heard children’s footsteps behind her late at night, only to find empty fountains and oaks when she looked. Another tale speaks of a shadowy figure slipping through the square: guests on a late tour once swore they saw a colonial-era woman in a bonnet peering from behind a tree and melting into the darkness. Every one of these anecdotes invites a shiver: a bench that creaks for no breeze, an out-of-place reflection in a camera flash, a tree branch swaying despite still air.

In truth, sharing these ghost stories is part of Johnson Square’s charm. Even skeptics admit they feel a thrill when an owl hoots in the distance or a gust brushes their neck among the oaks. Something about those centuries-old stones and monuments seems to coax out the imagination. Often, without realizing it, people walk away expecting a story: perhaps a phantom figure in a photo or a whisper on the wind that wasn’t there before. In that sense, Johnson Square keeps its legends alive through every retelling. By the time a night tour wraps up, visitors will have seen Johnson Square in the way Savannah loves: a crossroads of history and mystery, where even an empty city park feels alive after dark.

Visiting Johnson Square: What to Expect

Johnson Square welcomes visitors day or night, but your experience will differ greatly. In full daylight, the square buzzes with city life. Office workers and tourists stroll along the brick paths, and the fountains sparkle in the sun. The afternoon light highlights Greene’s obelisk and casts intricate shadows from the live oaks. Locals might pause on a bench to eat lunch or play with a dog. The whole park feels peaceful and safe – just a pleasant urban oasis. This is a great time for photography: try framing City Hall’s golden dome against the blue sky, or catch the fountains’ reflections in a fountain pool.

As evening falls, Johnson Square takes on a hushed, more atmospheric mood. The street lamps and gaslight-style lanterns glow golden, crowds thin out, and the square grows quiet. City Hall’s dome is softly lit in the distance, and the church steeple stands in silhouette. Many visitors say the air feels cooler for no reason. If you’re alone you may notice that the usual city sounds (joggers, traffic) fade until it’s almost silent except for distant crickets. Some people find this hush thrilling – a perfect setting for ghost stories – while others just appreciate the calm of the night park. It’s very different from the daytime bustle, and quite beautiful in its own way.

Johnson Square itself is very accessible. There are no gates or fences; you can enter from any side at any hour. The ground is flat and paved with brick or cobblestone, so it’s easy to walk across (though bring steady shoes, as some surfaces are uneven). If you’re using a wheelchair or stroller, the main paths around the monument are manageable, though a few old curbs exist. Note that after dark the lighting is mostly along the edges, so some corners of the lawn can be quite dim. There are no public restrooms in the square, but nearby shops and restaurants will let patrons use their facilities. As always, treat Johnson Square like any other city park at night – stay aware and stick to the paths. Savannah’s Historic District is generally safe after dark, but this is still urban space.

If you’re driving, parking is the usual downtown challenge. There’s no dedicated Johnson Square lot, but paid garages and street meters are one or two blocks away (try along Congress Street or West President). These lots fill up in the evening, so plan accordingly. Many visitors simply arrive on foot if they’re already in the Historic District, or take the free DOT trolley that runs along Bull Street (it stops at Congress). Rideshares or horse-drawn carriages are common too. Once parked, you can sit on any bench, enjoy the fountains, and photograph the buildings around: the church’s brick façade, the marble obelisk, the sleek dome of City Hall, and the handsome brick and granite banks that line the square.

Johnson Square is a favorite spot for photographers. In the afternoon, try shooting from the southwest corner so that the Greene monument stands in profile against the dome of City Hall. Late in the day, the setting sun can backlight the fountains and trees. After sunset, a tripod lets you capture long exposures of the glowing statues and lamps. Some ghost-hunters even suggest using flash to catch “orbs” of light – even if those are likely just dust or insects. For most of us, simple night portraits with the lanterns behind your subject give a spooky vibe. Whatever time you visit, look for small details: the bench plaques, the historic plaques on the church, and the sundial marking William Bull.

One of the easiest ways to learn about Johnson Square is to join a ghost tour that stops here. Johnson Square is a common meeting point for many guided walking tours in Savannah. For example, Ghost City Tours’ popular Dead of Night Tour often begins at Greene’s statue around 9:00 PM. The Grave Tales Tour and Blue Orb Tours also include Johnson Square on their haunted routes. These “guided ghost tours in Savannah” use the square as a storytelling spot, then lead groups onward to other sites. If you prefer to explore on your own, you can pick up one of Savannah’s ghost trail maps (sold by local shops) and listen to an audio guide while you wander. Either way, it’s easy to step right into a lantern-lit history lesson from Johnson Square.

Things to Do Near Johnson Square

Johnson Square is literally in the middle of Savannah’s Historic District, so there’s no shortage of nearby attractions:

• City Hall & Christ Church: Directly adjacent to Johnson Square are two historic landmarks. Savannah City Hall (north of the square) is a stunning 1906 building with an iconic golden dome. Christ Church (southeast corner) is Savannah’s oldest congregation (the current building dates to 1838). Both often welcome daytime visitors – City Hall sometimes hosts small exhibits, and the church offers history tours (including one about a famous colonial family crypt).

In short, Johnson Square sits at the crossroads of Savannah’s past and present. Historic churches, civic halls, eerie cemeteries and lively shops are all within walking distance. Enjoy the local cuisine, the river views, and the living history before or after you soak up the square’s own legends.

Is Johnson Square Worth Visiting?

Johnson Square is more than a dot on a map; it’s a place where Savannah’s spirit, in every sense, comes alive. By day the plaza’s charm and green shade speak to the city’s colonial depth; by night it awakens your imagination and maybe even sends a chill up your spine. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, a history buff or a ghost hunter, the experience of standing on these same stones as generations past will linger with you. It’s no wonder that Johnson Square remains one of Savannah’s most haunted places – a must-see stop that blends history and mystery under the live oaks. After all, this is a square where legend and reality meet side by side in Georgia’s Hostess City.

Frequently Asked Questions About Johnson Square