Orleans Square

About This Square

Established in 1815, this square was named in honor of General Andrew Jackson’s victory in the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812.

For about a hundred years, this was a very fashionable square to live on.  Many grand homes were built here including the Harper-Fowlkes House, built in 1842 on the SE corner of the square, which is a wonderful example of the Greek Revival style of architecture and is open for tours.

Greek Revival architecture was also used for Bulloch Manor, which was wealthy businessman Archibald Bulloch.  It was torn down in 1916 when the city built an auditorium.  That building was torn down in the 1970s and they built the Civic Center’s parking lot you see on the west side of the square now.

But now that a new arena has opened on Savannah’s west side, there is much discussion about what will happen to the Civic Center.  Many want it to be torn down and if that happens, new development could go up to restore Orleans Square to its former grandeur.

At the center of the square is a fountain dedicated in 1989 to the city’s early German migrants who fled persecution in the 18th century.

Notice the brick building on Oglethorpe Avenue a block away. That was originally located on the other side of the street but they moved it there when the army corps of engineers wanted to tear it down to build their headquarters.