Savannah, GA was famously designed with many neighborhood squares by Georgia founder James Oglethorpe. Initially there were four squares which eventually expanded into 24 squares as the city continued to expand. One of the most famous squares today is Monterey Square and we made a point to take a closer look.
As I mentioned in my last post, Polish Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski died from the wounds he received during the Siege of Savannah and Monterey Square has a large pillar in his honor in the middle of the square.
Monterey Square takes its name from the 1846 Battle of Monterrey during the Mexican-American War which was won by future President Zachary Taylor.
In 1929 Congress made October 11th each year is Casimir Pulaski Day.
"Casimir Pulaski Day" is also the name of a great song by Sufjan Stevens.
As if the Pulaski monument wasn't enough, Monterey Square is also the home of the famous Mercer House. Built by the Great-Grandfather of famous songwriter Johnny Mercer it was the setting of the famous murder that inspired the book Midnight in the Garden Of Good and Evil.
Famously, Savannah antiques dealer Jim Williams shot and killed Danny Hansford in his home under the chandelier that you can view from the sidewalk outside the house.
Williams was charged with murder and was tried four different times for the incident finally being found not guilty in 1989. The book follows the events of the trial and is famous for the descriptions of the odd Savannah citizens that live in the neighborhoods around the squares.
As I mentioned in my last post, Polish Revolutionary War hero Casimir Pulaski died from the wounds he received during the Siege of Savannah and Monterey Square has a large pillar in his honor in the middle of the square.
In 2001 the pillar was restored after it started to show its deterioration in the 1990's.
In 1929 Congress made October 11th each year is Casimir Pulaski Day.
"Casimir Pulaski Day" is also the name of a great song by Sufjan Stevens.
As if the Pulaski monument wasn't enough, Monterey Square is also the home of the famous Mercer House. Built by the Great-Grandfather of famous songwriter Johnny Mercer it was the setting of the famous murder that inspired the book Midnight in the Garden Of Good and Evil.
Famously, Savannah antiques dealer Jim Williams shot and killed Danny Hansford in his home under the chandelier that you can view from the sidewalk outside the house.
Williams was charged with murder and was tried four different times for the incident finally being found not guilty in 1989. The book follows the events of the trial and is famous for the descriptions of the odd Savannah citizens that live in the neighborhoods around the squares.
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