Forsyth Park is a famous park in downtown Savannah Georgia and an important staple to the city that draws locals and tourists alike. The park is known for its 30 acres that sit under large oak trees filled with Spanish moss. A large beautiful water fountain sits in the main entrance drawing and greeting every visitor that passes by. The large fountain displays its beauty in everyone’s vacation photos. The park is so beautiful and so loved by many that wedding engagements happen here. Others enjoy the park in more simpler ways like taking walks along the path and having picnics with loved ones.
There is more to Forsyth Park than all the beauty that can be seen in the daylight. Forsyth Park has an extensive historical past dating back to pre civil war times. The park was designed in 1840 and was named after Georgia’s 33rd Governor, John Forsyth. By the 1850’s the park expanded from 10 acres to 30. Right from the beginning the park was a popular place for families to visit. The park was also used for public speeches, community events, and other public celebrations and gatherings. When the civil war began the park was used to train soldiers.
General Sherman came to Savannah after finishing his march to the sea in December of 1864. By this time both Confederate soldiers and Union soldiers were using many of the public places that Savannah had to offer. Due to there being so many soldiers, some of them were sick or injured from the war, while others were dying either from starvation or other causes. These facts left a strong mark on defining Savannah’s historical past.
Fast forward to our current date and people can still see and feel the remnants of the past. In the daylight Forsyth Park is beautiful with Spanish moss hanging off the large oak trees. At night that Spanish moss and those oak trees cast shadows that can make you think you’re seeing things. Visitors have reported seeing figures in the shadows under the oak trees. Others have heard footsteps when no one else was around. Some visitors have also reported feeling cold in areas of the park and then that coldness vanished.
If you’re ever in Savannah Georgia I dare you to visit Forsyth Park in the daytime and then at night to compare notes. That is, if you’re not afraid of what you might see or feel…
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The facts for this story were gathered during years of going to museums, getting on tour buses, and talking to seasoned locals about Savannah’s history. Details on dates and other facts were gathered from:
Nealon, Tim. The Haunted History of Forsyth Park in Savannah. 2026. http://www.ghostcitytours.com.
