Chippewa Square

I was so excited to visit this square since you hear about it’s ties to the movie Forest Gump and housing Forest’s bench. However, I hate to disappoint you, but you won’t find the bench here. «It» (or rather a prop-​version) has been moved to the Savannah History Museum but you will find a statue of Savanna’s founder: James Oglethorpe. It was pointed out to me that he is facing South towards Florida, Savannah’s sworn enemy at the time, with sword drawn. But, since Oglethorpe already has his own square named after him (although no statue in ‘his’ square), this square is named after the Battle of Chippewa which took place in Upper Canada and where the British defeated American forces.
Chippewa Square might be the most trafficked square, with neighbors such as the Savannah Theater, one of the United States’ oldest continually-​operating theatres and which our tour guide led assumptions that possibly John Wilkes Booth performed at – although this cannot be confirmed and restaurants (short walk from The Public Kitchen & Bar and The Collins Quarter). You can’t miss the beauty of the First Baptist Church located to one side and the Philbrick-​Eastman House (which house several prominent Savannah families).
Square Review 3:22

If you find yourself visiting Savannah, a tourist to-​do is to visit Chippewa Square. After all, it’s where Tom Hanks, in Forrest Gump, famously said, «Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.» Unfortunately, unlike the movie, there’s no bench — a replica of it (yes, replica) resides in one of Savannah’s local museums — and the street isn’t a two way. (Gasp. Hollywood lied.)
Instead of a bench, you’ll see a short concrete wall with flowers planted in front, and a sign designating the square. Oh, and you can find it located on the intersection of Bull and Hull streets.
Chippewa Square is a little more than this scene from this Oscar winning movie, though. It’s beautiful, with those ghostly-​looking trees thanks to the endless strands of Spanish Moss that seem to appear out of no where. There’s a romantic circular walkway that my dog loved peeing all-​over. And, smack-​dab in the middle, a gigantic statue of British General, Savannah’s founder, Native American homie, and overall bad*ss, James Oglethorpe resides.
About the statue itself, the man stands with sword in hand facing south to Florida. Also, behind his right heel is a pomelo. The symbolism? Back then, Georgia served as a protectorate of South Carolina (who exported tons of pomelos), and often fought with the Spaniards down in Florida. Some battle happened in the square, too, and I’m sure, like pretty much everywhere in the most haunted city on Earth (according to Duke University), hundred or thousands of people are buried beneath the Square’s concrete. (So, don’t be afraid if you see an orb, or two, or three at night.)
Overall, is it worth to check out? Sure. But after spending several days at the Foley House (which resides on that square), I don’t think it’s anything worth going out of the way for.

Great little setting and a quit park and yes. home of the Forest Gump Bench (which BTW is NOT here) its a great place to sit and relax.

What more can I add? Yes, this is where the Forrest Gump bench scene was filmed. Beautiful square, but only one of many beautiful squares in Savannah.

[Insert generic review about all Savannah Squares are beautiful, but only one — this one — was part of that movie.]

Went here to see the old «Forrest Gump bus stop» but the bench wasn’t there. Apparently it was just a prop that they used and they moved it over to a Museum. Still cool to see. There was plenty of places to sit and the park was definitely beautiful.

Two words: Forest Gump! Of corse since this is one of my favorite movies I had to visit the famous savannah square! Unfortunately they do not have the original bench because it was placed into a museum, but it is still cool to visit knowing that’s where it was filmed!

As with all squares in Savannah, another inviting place to meander. You’ll see the tourist trolleys, carriages and such circling this one as it was where Forrest Gump gave his famous bench side (which is not there) life story to anyone who would listen. Just hang out and listen to the tours as they drive by to get all the info you’ll need to know, they go by every 4 minutes like clockwork.

Chippewa Square is one of Savannah’s most popular Squares, for tourists. On any given day you can site on one of the stone benches and watch hundreds of people walking by… half of them looking for the infamous Forrest Gump bench… which isn’t in Chippewa Square. The bus stop scene in Forrest Gump was filmed in Chippewa Square, but the bench never existed. It was a movie prop which now sits in a museum in Savannah.
Chippewa Square was laid out in 1815. The name Chippewa was used to honor the men who fought at the Battle of Chippewa, which was a battle in the war of 1812. In the middle of the Square is the monument to the founder of Savannah, James Edward Oglethorpe. It was Oglethorpe, way back in 1733 who first put boots on the soil on the bluff by the Savannah River. The city of Savannah and eventually the state of Georgia followed.

One of Savannah’s beautiful squares in the historic district, this one celebrates the battle of Chippewa. There is also a nice statue of Ogglethorpe in his swanky hat. This park is where Forrest Gump waited on the bench for the bus though the bench has since been relocated to the visitors center. Very nice buildings around.

One of many Savannah squares. Of course it’s one of the most popular ones since it’s where Forrest Gump bench was located at. You won’t find the bench now because it’s now located at the Savannah history musuem. Right across the street is the Savannah Theatre which is one of the oldest in the country.

I am always wanting to check out places when in new cities and when I read a part of Forest Gump was shot at Chippewa Square, I had to check it out. Granted they took out the park bench and it’s at a museum now, but it’s still worth checking out just to see the area. All of the squares in Savannah have their own history and breathtaking beauty to them, it’s worth seeing as many as you can!

Gorgeous Savannah Square with a lot of history. Great central location and the home of the Forrest Gump bench!
The trees are gorgeous and it is very close to wonderful coffee shops, restaurants, and local stores. There are also some beautiful churches nearby and on Chippewa Square. If you’re fortunate enough to snag a room on the Square, the Foley Inn is right on it!

This was my favorite of all of Savannah’s parks/​squares. Very relaxing, large park with some neat trees and walks. A very picturesque location.

Savannah is such a charmer. The squares are a perfect surprise where you’re running around. I’m sad they didn’t want to leave the Forrest Gump bench, but I guess too many people were trying to steal it. We came here again at 10:00pm for a ghost tour. Even in the dark, you can tell how beautiful the square is.

Came here for the simple fact that Forrest Gump was here. We were disappointed to see that the city did not preserve that little spot were Gump sat. I mean, come on, that is quite an iconic scene! I believe tourists will be very excited if the city manage to squeeze that little gem in. Not only was the spot missing the ‘bench’ and has been replaced by mediocre flower beds, but there were also yellow police tape all over it.
The city should truly recognize the tourist potential of that one little spot. Then again, what do I know? All I know is that for the past decade, they never honored ‘the bench,’ and yet, when we went there, the first thing one local pointed me to is where ‘the bench’ was shot… and we didnt have to ask! they just simply know what tourist-​looking people are doing in that square… and as we happily took pictures, there were other groups of families and tourists who were waiting for their turn for a photo op … and they too looked disappointed to not see ‘the bench.‘
I think it is time to put back the bench even if it was just a prop. There are thousands of people who holds Forrest Gump dearly, and the bench scene is easily one of the most recognizable and memorable moments in movie history. True that people may impede traffic (like as if there are no other ways to maneuver around this square,) and that the bench may have to be replaced a few several times during the year (due to the many many people that will be sitting there,) but truly think of the potential business such a small effort of keeping a small addition to this park will bring! The local businesses around this area will truly appreciate the foot traffic. The city can have volunteers to make sure that people get their turns to take pics (e.g no more than 3 mintues per group,) and also volunteers to take photos of groups and direct traffic. heck, if need be, have a donation box that will help pay for the extra police force that may be needed to secure pedestrians and ease with traffic, pay for the bench-​watcher, and even the upkeep of the bench itself. And for busy times like New Year’s or St. Patty, the bench can be temporarily removed to prevent inevitable uncontrollable congestion in that area …
ok… so i have rant on enough. But seriously? there is away around it. PUT THE BENCH IN! PUT THE BENCH IN! PUT THE BENCH IN!!!

This square has become one of my husband’s & my favorite square. Beautiful oak trees and plenty of benches makes this square a nice place to stop and take in the scenery. Also, there is a wonderful coffee shop on one of the corners, Gallery Espresso. It’s great to grab a coffee and enjoy it in the square early in the morning before things get too busy

Through the late 1800s this square held a pair of Confederate busts, but they were moved to Forsyth Park in the early 1900s when the current statue of James Oglethorpe was erected. I think it is an improvement. With Oglethorpe presiding, this little square speaks as fully of the Old South as any of Savannah’s beautiful squares.

Cute little square (park) to just take a few deep breahtes and take in the scenery.

Another of one of my favorite squares/​parks of Savannah. This one is very popular, as it is known for the «Park Bench» scene from the movie Forest Gump. The park bench was only a movie prop and you will not find it here, but you can find the location on the North side. Chippewa Square is located on Bull, between Hull and Perry Streets.