Chippewa Square

Chippewa Square, laid out in 1815, is one of the 22 historic squares in Savannah, Georgia. Located in the heart of the city's Historic District, it sits at the intersection of Bull Street and McDonough Street. The square is named in honor of American soldiers who fought in the Battle of Chippawa during the War of 1812.

At the center of Chippewa Square stands a prominent bronze statue of General James Oglethorpe, the founder of the Georgia colony. This 9-foot tall monument, created by sculptor Daniel Chester French and unveiled in 1910, depicts Oglethorpe in his military attire with a drawn sword, facing south towards what was once Spanish Florida.

The square is surrounded by several notable buildings, including the historic Savannah Theatre, which dates back to 1818 and is considered one of the oldest continually operating theaters in the United States. The First Baptist Church, built in 1833, also faces the square and is one of the oldest surviving church buildings in Savannah.

Chippewa Square gained additional fame as a filming location for the 1994 movie "Forrest Gump." The iconic scenes where Forrest sits on a bench and narrates his life story were filmed on the north side of the square. However, the bench used in the movie was a prop and is not a permanent fixture in the square.

The square features lush greenery, including towering oak trees draped with Spanish moss, creating a picturesque Southern atmosphere. Brick pathways crisscross the square, and benches provide seating for visitors to relax and enjoy the surroundings.