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Guides / Old Town Squares
Old Town Squares
<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Each of Brunswick’s 14 original squares in the Old Town Historic District has a story to tell, and every story plays an important part of the city’s narrative. The houses of government and businesses bordering squares in the downtown corridor shaped the cultural and economic destiny of our port city. Homes around the residential squares tell the stories of the people who built the city and raised their families here.</span></p>
Hanover Square
Originally laid out in 1771 by George McIntosh at the re quest of the Royal Gov-ernor of Georgia, the city plan of Brunswick was an evolu-tion of General James Oglethorpe’s famous “Savannah Plan”. The first actively used of the six major squares of Brunswick is Hanover Square. The Square has long been a focal point for the social and communal life of the city. As the city grew and contracted from 1771 to 1825, Hano-ver Square was little more than a designation on the city map. In 1796 the county seat was moved from Ft. Frederi-ca to Brunswick. Elections were held at Hog Crawl Creek off Hwy. 17.. Urbanus Dart and William Davis petitioned the state in 1825 to reconstruct the city. Thus, a lottery was held in Savannah to raise money. In 1825 a county courthouse, jail, and Masonic Temple were constructed as one building in the center of the Square. Over the next 30 years, the building fell into disrepair as the city was aban-doned. As the city gained its third and final charter in 1856, Hanover Square became once again the main public square and gathering place for city residents. From 1952 to present day, the continued preservation efforts of previous citizen groups and individuals have saved Hanover Square from oblivion. In 2004, Signatures Squares of Brunswick was incorporated to actively restore Hanover Square to prominence and restore all the origi-nal squares of Brunswick to their rightful place in the city’s social and community life.

Originally laid out in 1771 by George McIntosh at the re quest of the Royal Gov-ernor of Georgia, the city plan of Brunswick was an evolu-tion of General James Oglethorpe’s famous “Savannah Plan”. The first actively used of the six major squares of Brunswick is Hanover Square. The Square has long been a focal point for the social and communal life of the city. As the city grew and contracted from 1771 to 1825, Hano-ver Square was little more than a designation on the city map. In 1796 the county seat was moved from Ft. Frederi-ca to Brunswick. Elections were held at Hog Crawl Creek off Hwy. 17.. Urbanus Dart and William Davis petitioned the state in 1825 to reconstruct the city. Thus, a lottery was held in Savannah to raise money. In 1825 a county courthouse, jail, and Masonic Temple were constructed as one building in the center of the Square. Over the next 30 years, the building fell into disrepair as the city was aban-doned. As the city gained its third and final charter in 1856, Hanover Square became once again the main public square and gathering place for city residents.

From 1952 to present day, the continued preservation efforts of previous citizen groups and individuals have saved Hanover Square from oblivion. In 2004, Signatures Squares of Brunswick was incorporated to actively restore Hanover Square to prominence and restore all the origi-nal squares of Brunswick to their rightful place in the city’s social and community life.

Blythe Square
Blythe Square, like many of the smaller squares around the city, were repurposed for commercial and private use. Having the support of United Methodist Church of Brunswick and other partners, Signature Squares was able to transform Blythe Square from parking spaces to a community garden in July of 2010.

Blythe Square, like many of the smaller squares around the city, were repurposed for commercial and private use. Having the support of United Methodist Church of Brunswick and other partners, Signature Squares was able to transform Blythe Square from parking spaces to a community garden in July of 2010.

Wright Square
Wright Square, one of the two largest of the original 14 squares of Brunswick, was named after Georgia’s last Colonial Governor, Sir James Wright (1716-1785). Well-respected and fair, Wright held his office from October 13, 1760 until the end of the Revolutionary War.

Wright Square, one of the two largest of the original 14 squares of Brunswick, was named after Georgia’s last Colonial Governor, Sir James Wright (1716-1785). Well-respected and fair, Wright held his office from October 13, 1760 until the end of the Revolutionary War.

Hillsborough Square
Hillsborough Square, named for Wills Hill, Earl of Hillsborough, Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1768 to 1772. He also served as the President of the Board of Trade and Plantations, which had jurisdiction over all of the American colonies, until 1768.

Hillsborough Square, named for Wills Hill, Earl of Hillsborough, Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1768 to 1772. He also served as the President of the Board of Trade and Plantations, which had jurisdiction over all of the American colonies, until 1768.

Halifax Square
Halifax Square, named for George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax (1716-1771), President of the Board of Trade from 1748 to 1765. Halifax established the position as a department of the British Cabinet. He was known for his success in promoting American commerce, and became known as "father of the colonies.”

Halifax Square, named for George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax (1716-1771), President of the Board of Trade from 1748 to 1765. Halifax established the position as a department of the British Cabinet. He was known for his success in promoting American commerce, and became known as "father of the colonies.”

St. Simon's Square
The name refers to the barrier island east of Brunswick.

The name refers to the barrier island east of Brunswick.

Satilla Square
The name refers to the nearby river system.

The name refers to the nearby river system.

Frederica Square
The square is named after Fredrick Louis, the Prince of Wales. Frederick Louis was the father of King George III.

The square is named after Fredrick Louis, the Prince of Wales. Frederick Louis was the father of King George III.

Queen Square
This square is one of the original town squares laid out in 1771. It is home to the Oglethorpe Memorial, Downing Memorial, Liberty tree and Sesquicentennial tree. The Liberty tree was planted in 1906 by the DAR with soil from the 45 states and 4 territories. The Sesquicentennial tree was planted in 2006 with soil from “Brunswicks” in 5 states.

This square is one of the original town squares laid out in 1771. It is home to the Oglethorpe Memorial, Downing Memorial, Liberty tree and Sesquicentennial tree. The Liberty tree was planted in 1906 by the DAR with soil from the 45 states and 4 territories. The Sesquicentennial tree was planted in 2006 with soil from “Brunswicks” in 5 states.

King Square
King Square was named to honor the royal rulers of Britain.

King Square was named to honor the royal rulers of Britain.

Crispen Square
A small square that resides on the southernmost part of the Old Town sector.

A small square that resides on the southernmost part of the Old Town sector.

Hillary Square
The name Hillary Square could refer to a person or event during the Colonial times, but there are no hard facts available at this time.

The name Hillary Square could refer to a person or event during the Colonial times, but there are no hard facts available at this time.