ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia
| Forsyth Park in Savannah, Georgia The beautiful park and its stunning fountain were created during a 19th century beautification project. They are among Savannah's most beloved landmarks. |
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Forsyth Park in Savannah
The beautiful avenue of trees
leading to the park's historic
fountain is one of Savannah's
most photographed scenes.
The beautiful avenue of trees
leading to the park's historic
fountain is one of Savannah's
most photographed scenes.
Forsyth Park Fountain
Modeled after a water feature
in the Place de la Concorde in
Paris, Forsyth Park 's fountain
was installed in 1858.
Modeled after a water feature
in the Place de la Concorde in
Paris, Forsyth Park 's fountain
was installed in 1858.
Forsyth Park - Parisian Inspired Beauty in Savannah, Georgia
A 19th Century Dream Realized
Confederate Monument
The beautiful monument to
soldiers of the Confederacy
was erected in Forsyth Park in
1879.
The beautiful monument to
soldiers of the Confederacy
was erected in Forsyth Park in
1879.
| Copyright 2011 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
One of the most unforgettable sights in the
historic Georgia city of Savannah is the view
along Bull Street to the spectacular fountain
in Forsyth Park.
It is a view that the planners of the park
dreamed would create a spectacular vista
hundreds of years into the future. Forsyth
Park is now more than 150 years old and the
dream of those 19th century visionaries has
been realized many times over.
The land on which Forsyth Park was created
has held great significance over the years. In
1779 it lay just outside the British defenses
of the city and formed part of the site of the
camps of the allied French and American
army during one of the bloodiest actions of
the American Revolution.
The north end of the park, where the beautiful
fountain stands today, was the point from
which the Comte d'Estaing, commander of
the French forces in the battle, began to dig
his siege trenches. From here the French
planned to slowly dig their way north to the
British earthworks. The siege failed before
the effort could be completed.
Savannah grew dramatically during the first
half of the 19th century and many of the
leading citizens hoped to create a city that not
only was a center of commerce, but a utopia
of beauty as well.
Influenced by the remarkable vistas and
views created by French urban renewal
efforts in Paris, city planners in Savannah
dreamed of a large park area that would
become a center for beauty and hospitality in
the already old city. The result was Forsyth
Park.
The park began in the 1840s when 10 acres
were donated for public use by William
Hodgson. Using this core of land as a
starting point, planners expanded the
available acreage to 30 acres with a donation
of land from Georgia Governor John Forsyth
that tripled the size of the planned park. In
1851, in recognition of his contribution to the
future of the city, the park was named in
Forsyth's honor.
With the original plan of Savannah as
designed by General James Oglethorpe now
filled, city leaders dreamed of a park that
would expand the city to the south. It would
become a center point for residential areas
that would radiate out from the beautiful
common area.
historic Georgia city of Savannah is the view
along Bull Street to the spectacular fountain
in Forsyth Park.
It is a view that the planners of the park
dreamed would create a spectacular vista
hundreds of years into the future. Forsyth
Park is now more than 150 years old and the
dream of those 19th century visionaries has
been realized many times over.
The land on which Forsyth Park was created
has held great significance over the years. In
1779 it lay just outside the British defenses
of the city and formed part of the site of the
camps of the allied French and American
army during one of the bloodiest actions of
the American Revolution.
The north end of the park, where the beautiful
fountain stands today, was the point from
which the Comte d'Estaing, commander of
the French forces in the battle, began to dig
his siege trenches. From here the French
planned to slowly dig their way north to the
British earthworks. The siege failed before
the effort could be completed.
Savannah grew dramatically during the first
half of the 19th century and many of the
leading citizens hoped to create a city that not
only was a center of commerce, but a utopia
of beauty as well.
Influenced by the remarkable vistas and
views created by French urban renewal
efforts in Paris, city planners in Savannah
dreamed of a large park area that would
become a center for beauty and hospitality in
the already old city. The result was Forsyth
Park.
The park began in the 1840s when 10 acres
were donated for public use by William
Hodgson. Using this core of land as a
starting point, planners expanded the
available acreage to 30 acres with a donation
of land from Georgia Governor John Forsyth
that tripled the size of the planned park. In
1851, in recognition of his contribution to the
future of the city, the park was named in
Forsyth's honor.
With the original plan of Savannah as
designed by General James Oglethorpe now
filled, city leaders dreamed of a park that
would expand the city to the south. It would
become a center point for residential areas
that would radiate out from the beautiful
common area.
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In keeping with the European style upon
which it was based, Forsyth Park was also
designed to magnify the beauty of the city. To
this end a magnificent fountain was placed at
the north end of the park in 1858. With its
surrounding landscaping, this water feature
created a stunning conclusion to the vista
gained by looking south along Bull Street to
the park.
The fountain still flows today, thanks to loving
care and restoration by the city, and is one of
the most photographed places in Savannah.
Forsyth Park today features walking paths,
open areas, beautiful tree cover, a fragrance
garden and Savannah's magnificent
Confederate Monument. It covers 30 acres
and has far exceeded the dreams of even its
most visionary planners.
The park extends from Gaston Street to Park
Avenue along the Bull Street Corridor in
Savannah. It is one block south of Monterey
Square.
which it was based, Forsyth Park was also
designed to magnify the beauty of the city. To
this end a magnificent fountain was placed at
the north end of the park in 1858. With its
surrounding landscaping, this water feature
created a stunning conclusion to the vista
gained by looking south along Bull Street to
the park.
The fountain still flows today, thanks to loving
care and restoration by the city, and is one of
the most photographed places in Savannah.
Forsyth Park today features walking paths,
open areas, beautiful tree cover, a fragrance
garden and Savannah's magnificent
Confederate Monument. It covers 30 acres
and has far exceeded the dreams of even its
most visionary planners.
The park extends from Gaston Street to Park
Avenue along the Bull Street Corridor in
Savannah. It is one block south of Monterey
Square.
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Fort Frederica National Monument
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Horton House Historic Site
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island Historic District
St. Simons Island
St. Simons Lighthouse
Ghost of the St. Simons Lighthouse
Savannah, Georgia
Historic Sites & Points of Interest
Fort Frederica National Monument
Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Horton House Historic Site
Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island Historic District
St. Simons Island
St. Simons Lighthouse
Ghost of the St. Simons Lighthouse
Savannah, Georgia
Historic Sites & Points of Interest
| Photos by Jamie Bennett & Roger Moore |