Barnad and Wayne street sign Savannah

Chatham Square

The most southwestern of Savannah’s squares is Chatham, on the intersection of Barnard and Wayne. A residential square devoid of shops or monuments, Chatham was one of the last to be founded, in 1847.

Chatham Square at Barnad and Wayne street in Savannah

Both the square and Savannah’s Chatham county were named after a Brit who never once set foot in the city. William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham also counts Pittsburgh among the American places named in his honor. The Whig statesman led Britain during the Seven Years War, and was one of the few British politicians to sound alarm bells about the impending US Revolution. Though he was roundly ignored by an obtuse parliament, Pitt sought to appease the colonists before things got out of hand.

Savannah Chatham Square houses

Older Savannahians often refer to Chatham Square as Barnard Square, because of the school on its northwestern side. Still the square’s most conspicuous building, the school now hosts SCAD’s Fibers Department. The rest of the buildings around Chatham are apartments, making this one of the quieter residential squares in the city. Gordon Row, on the southeastern side, is a stand out. These fifteen four-story brick townhouses were built before the Civil War, and are still used as apartments.

More Chatham Square Photos:

  • Chatham Square Fence Savannah
  • Chatham Square Wall Lantern
  • Town House Chatham Square Savannah
  • Spiral fence Savannah
  • Cute Houses in Savannah
  • Stairs Up Chatham Houses Savannah
  • Window bling holders Savannah
  • Chatham Square Savannah Oaks
  • SCAD building Chatham Square Savannah
  • Monument Chatham Square Savannah
  • Oak and houses Chatham Square Savannah
  • Parking meter inside a bush
  • Spiral stair rail savannah
  • Door knob Chatham Square Savannah
  • Garden bowl Chatham Square Savannah
  • Horse tour Savannah

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5 responses to “Chatham Square”

  1. William Avatar
    William

    Wasn’t Chatham the square that the guy drove through drunk a few years back and knocked over the sundial?

    1. Gil Avatar
      Gil

      William,
      That was Troup Square.

      1. William Avatar
        William

        Thanks. Just couldn’t quite remember which it was.

  2. Gil Avatar
    Gil

    I lived in Gordon Row back in the late 1970s, pre-Scad and Midnight. It was a great time to live and work downtown. The nearby Crystal Beer Parlor was a neighborhood saloon, limited in size to the bar area and accompanying booths and tables. The wooden floors were sprinkled with the sawdust-like sweeping compound. It had the hamburgers in town. I wish I could remember the names of both of the waiters who had worked there for decades. “Smitty” was one of the gentlemen who served as waiters. Until the new buildings were built on the east side of the square, we had a volleyball net strung on a vacant lot for Sunday afternoon play. Things have changed sinced then, some for better, some for worse.

  3. Steve Edwards Avatar
    Steve Edwards

    Beautiful pictures. We live on Chatham Square, so I’m always taking pictures in and around it. I’m afraid most of them don’t meet your standards. Great site.

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