Chippewa Square, Savannah

Chippewa Square is one of Savannah's 22 historic squares. Laid out in 1815, it occupies a central position in the city's layout, situated along Bull Street and McDonough Street. Chippewa Square was named in honor of American soldiers who fell in the Battle of Chippawa during the War of 1812.

The square's most historic structure is the Savannah Theatre, located at 222 Bull Street, which dates back to 1818, making it the oldest building on the square.

A prominent feature of Chippewa Square is the James Oglethorpe Monument, a tribute to the founder of Georgia. Unveiled in 1910, it was a collaborative creation by sculptor Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon. The monument is significant for its depiction of Oglethorpe, facing south with a drawn sword, symbolically facing Georgia's historic adversary, Spanish Florida.

Chippewa Square gained widespread recognition through its appearance in the 1994 film "Forrest Gump." The iconic "park bench" scene was filmed on the north side of the square, using a fiberglass prop bench instead of the park's actual benches. This prop has since become a significant piece of film history, with a replica displayed at the Savannah Visitors Center and the original kept at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles.

In addition to its cinematic fame, Chippewa Square is also the site of significant religious and architectural landmarks, including the First Baptist Church (1833), the Independent Presbyterian Church, and the Philbrick–Eastman House (1847). Each of these buildings adds to the square's historical and cultural fabric, making Chippewa Square a vital component of Savannah's heritage.