Christmas Ice Fountain Savannah

Forsyth Park

Occupying 30 acres between Drayton and Whitaker Street, Forsyth is Savannah’s answer to NYC’s Central Park. It’s not as massive as its counterpart, but blends seamlessly into the city, and has always formed a part of its identity.

Forsyth Park Fountain Savannah

Forsyth Park was built in the 1840s and christened in honor of John Forsyth, a former statesman and Georgian governor. The park’s massive central fountain, crowned with a female figure and flanked by spitting geese, was inspired by the fountain in Paris’ Plaza de la Concorde. With water shooting haphazardly in all directions, it’s one of the most recognizable landmarks of Savannah, appearing in films like 1962’s Cape Fear and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Three monuments in Forsyth Park commemorate Savannah’s contribution to American wars. To the north, there’s one for the Vietnam War. An impressively large memorial to the Civil War’s Confederate dead is in the park’s center, with the biblical inscription: “Come from the four winds, o’ breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” (It’s a touching line, but one which reveals disturbing pro-zombie tendencies; The Walking Dead was filmed in Georgia, wasn’t it?). And at the southern end is an interesting tribute to the Spanish-American war, in which the US helped liberate Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines and Guam from Spanish influence.

Stock Photo Forsyth Fountain Savannah

Though the northern third of the park is shaded and tree-filled, the rest is wide open, with flat lawns that host weekend picnics and pick-up sports. There’s a cafรฉ, a visitors center and an open-air stage for summer concerts, as well as something I’d never heard of before: a Fragrant Garden for the Blind. The gate was locked, but I stuck my nose through the bars and took a long whiff. It smelled of trash and roses.

During our first few days in Savannah, we had already crossed through Forsyth Park multiple times. Practically an extended pedestrian-only section of Bull Street, it’s as much a thoroughfare as a destination, and I had a feeling we’d be getting to know the park intimately.


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4 responses to “Forsyth Park”

  1. Sky Princess Avatar

    I love your photography.

    When I was in Savannah I was told that there are over 2000 people buried beneath the fountain in Forsyth Park. I have no idea if the story is true, but maybe you will come across more information on it.

    What is the very tall statue with the standing man on top?

  2. Susan Avatar

    I agree, wonderful photo’s! I am enjoying seeing Savannah through another photographers lens! Sky Princess: This is supposed to be true…there are tunnels that run under the park any victims of the 1876 yellow fever epidemic are buried under the park as the story goes. The old Candler hospital is right across the street from the park. The entrance to the tunnel is actually by the hospital…i’ve seen it!

    Here is an interesting video on the tunnels:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p769qDGCWV0

  3. Sky Princess Avatar

    Thanks for the information Susan. I will check out the youtube video.

  4. Juergen Avatar

    Great video Susan, thank you!

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