Haunted Monterey Square

The History of Monterey Square

Monterey Square was laid out in 1847 during Savannah’s westward expansion. Its name commemorates the U.S. Army’s capture of Monterrey, Mexico, in the Mexican-American War of 1846. In the heart of the square stands the tall marble column dedicated to General Casimir Pulaski, the Polish-born hero who was mortally wounded just south of Savannah in 1779. (Legend has it that Pulaski’s lost remains were later discovered under this monument during its 1850s construction.) By the late 1800s the plaza was fringed with handsome homes and public buildings. One of the most famous is the Mercer-Williams House: originally begun in 1860 by Confederate General Hugh Mercer but interrupted by the Civil War, it was finally completed by its new owner John Wilder in 1868. Another landmark is the Gothic-Revival sanctuary of Congregation Mickve Israel, whose congregation is America’s third-oldest; the synagogue wasn’t built until 1878, but its ornate Victorian chapel remains one of only a few Gothic-style synagogues in the United States. Nearly every building facing Monterey Square dates from the 19th century, reflecting Savannah’s antebellum grandeur and Victorian refinement.

Monterey Square otherwise remained a quiet civic park for many years, one of the green heartbeats of the city. Its live oaks and benches hosted picnickers and brass band concerts while generations of Savannah residents passed under its oaks to and from St. John’s Parish Church and surrounding neighborhoods. A tragic turn came in the 20th century when private events at the Mercer-Williams House thrust the square into the spotlight. In 1969, an eleven-year-old boy named Tommy Downs was killed in a fall from the roof onto the iron fence of the mansion. Decades later, in 1981, the house became the scene of a notorious murder: homeowner Jim Williams shot and killed his assistant Danny Hansford inside the study. Williams was tried four times before being acquitted, and he died in the house in 1990. These sensational events – dramatized by John Berendt’s bestselling book and a Hollywood film – are now as much a part of Monterey Square’s story as its Revolutionary origins. The echoes of all these historical moments have since intertwined with local lore, giving the square a reputation that goes beyond just old brick and mossy oaks.

Why Is Monterey Square Considered Haunted?

The haunted reputation of Monterey Square grows directly from its tangled history and the mysteries people associate with it. A major seed of the legend is the Pulaski Monument itself. When workers installed the memorial, they reportedly found a coffin with bones inside; physicians of the day believed they matched a man of Pulaski’s age and height. Whether or not those were truly Pulaski’s remains, Savannah lore holds that his spirit still lingers there. Over the years, tour guides have relayed countless tales of a ghostly soldier in Revolutionary War uniform seen marching or wandering near the obelisk at night. Witnesses speak of sudden cold breezes and the feeling of being watched when visiting the statue. One account even describes hearing muffled gunfire and seeing the phantom glow of campfires on foggy evenings – a dim echo of the Siege of Savannah.

Beyond the monument, the other key source of hauntings comes from the Mercer-Williams House and its guests. The violent drama of the 1981 shooting gave rise to persistent rumors of vengeful spirits. Staff and visitors in later years began reporting unexplained phenomena inside the mansion: lights flickering off and on by themselves, soft voices in empty rooms, and the sensation of unseen eyes upon them. For example, employees working in the study where Hansford died often feel a chill or see an unexplained flicker; guests have reported shadowy figures moving at the edge of vision and phantom footsteps echoing behind them. Even Jim Williams himself came to believe he was haunted by Hansford’s angry ghost (allegedly seeking a voodoo exorcism before his own death). Word of these stories spread quickly, and soon ghost tour operators added Monterey Square to their maps. In short, people tell of pulsing energy and strange events that seem tied to the square’s dark episodes, which is why so many consider it haunted.

Next, there is the tale of the young boy, Tommy Downs, who died here. Accounts say his spirit, too, has never fully left. Tourists often claim to glimpse a blond-haired boy in period clothing on the Mercer House’s roof or peering from its upper windows. Some people who snapped photos of the house swear they later saw the faint image of a child in the picture. Others tell of suddenly hearing the echo of a little boy laughing or crying on the nearby sidewalk, right before a mysterious feeling washes over them. Tommy’s story is repeated so often by guidebooks and locals that he has become part of the square’s haunted narrative – a perpetual reminder of that tragic accident.

Finally, Monterey Square has even inspired a musical ghost story. Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer – famed composer of “Moon River” and “Georgia on My Mind” – grew up just steps from here. Legend holds that in very still nights you can hear one of Mercer’s melodies drifting on the breeze. Some visitors report hearing a soft baritone crooning “Moon River” or “Someone’s Rocking My Dreamboat” under the Spanish moss. A few claim they’ve seen a 1920s-era gentleman walking slowly through the oaks, humming to himself. According to a ghostly tale, Johnny Mercer’s creative spirit is said to linger where his childhood memories live. The idea of hearing Savannah’s own music echo through Monterey Square adds an eerie but fitting note to the square’s collection of ghost stories.

Visiting Monterey Square: What to Expect

Monterey Square is easily accessible on foot as part of Savannah’s Historic District. By day it is a peaceful urban park: morning sunlight shines through the mossy oaks onto the clean green lawn, and you’ll see locals strolling, tourists taking photos, and perhaps a few joggers on the sidewalks. The surrounding 19th-century homes – including the Mercer-Williams House and the Gothic synagogue – glow softly in daylight, inviting architecture enthusiasts to linger. At night, however, the scene shifts dramatically. The square becomes quiet and atmospheric. Gas lamps cast pools of amber light, and shadows lengthen under the live oaks. This is prime time for ghost tours: many guided ghost tours in Savannah include Monterey Square on their route, sharing its haunted lore under the stars. If you happen to visit alone after dark, be prepared for an eerie silence occasionally broken by rustling leaves or distant footsteps that seem to come from nowhere.

For photographers, Monterey Square is photogenic any time, but night brings an extra mood. A tripod will help you capture the lamp-lit paths and the Mercer-Williams House façade with long exposures. (Note: interior photography of the Mercer House is not allowed unless you have booked an official tour; flash is generally prohibited.) The ground in the square and sidewalks is level but uneven in spots – watch out for cobblestones and tree roots. There is limited street parking on the surrounding blocks (metered spots on Whitaker and Wayne Streets) and paid parking lots within a short walk toward City Market. Nearby trolley stops and bicycle rentals also make it easy to incorporate the square into a larger tour of downtown.

Monterey Square sits amid several other attractions. Two blocks south is the beautiful Forsyth Park with its famous fountain and walking paths. A couple blocks north are City Market (shopping and dining under covered arcades) and then the River Street waterfront. Other historic squares like Chatham, Johnson, and Franklin are all just a stroll away. 

Ultimately, whether you arrive on a self-guided evening walk or as part of a guided Savannah ghost tour, expect Monterey Square to feel atmospheric. The old lamp light, mossy trees, and historic facades combine to make any after-dark visit memorable – and maybe a little spine-tingling.

Things to Do Near Monterey Square

• Forsyth Park: Just two blocks south, this famed park offers walking paths, a historic gazebo, and the iconic Forsyth Fountain – perfect for a daytime stroll or picnic.
• Mickve Israel Synagogue: On Monterey Square, the congregation’s striking Gothic sanctuary is worth a visit. Tours of the interior (limited hours) show its ornate stained glass and woodwork.

Is Monterey Square Worth Visiting?

Yes – for history buffs and ghost story fans alike, Monterey Square is one of Savannah’s must-see spots. By day it offers the simple charm of a classic Southern public square, with majestic live oaks, a sweeping fountain backdrop (visible from the north end), and exquisitely preserved 19th-century facades. By night it becomes a deeply atmospheric setting, where silence falls between the oak branches and you’re reminded of Savannah’s past on every side. The square’s layers of stories – from Revolutionary War memorials to murder-mystery scandals – create a powerful sense of depth. Visitors often describe standing in Monterey Square at dusk as an emotional experience, as if time itself has blended centuries together. In our view, the square’s unique combination of genuine history and spooky lore makes it one of the best haunted places to visit in Savannah. Even if you never see a ghost, the sense of history coming alive under the mossy oaks is unforgettable. Monterey Square proves that Savannah’s past is never very far away, and that each rustle of Spanish moss seems to carry another tale from another era.

Frequently Asked Questions About Monterey Square