Oglethorpe Avenue

Oglethorpe Avenue in downtown Savannah, Georgia is one of the main east/west streets through the Historic District. Along this avenue you'll find tourist attractions, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and other businesses. The avenue was originally named South Broad Street but was later named for the founder of Savannah, James Edward Oglethorpe. Oglethorpe Avenue features a large median in the middle with towering oak trees, draping moss, and beautiful azalea bushes. Historical markers are also found along this important road.

Along Oglethorpe Avenue are two of Savannah most interesting tourist attractions. The Colonial Park Cemetery, where burials began in 1750, and the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, located at 10 E. Oglethorpe.

Colonial Park Cemetery

270 years ago, the Colonial Park Cemetery was established. In 1750, its location was, at the time, outside the town limits of Savannah. Burials would occur here for more than a century until 1853 when they ceased. One of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Button Gwinnet, is buried here.

Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace

The founder of the Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, was born in a home at 10 E. Oglethorpe Avenue.  Her birthplace became the very first National Historic Landmark in Savannah.

Savannah Police Officer Memorial

Near the intersection of Oglethorpe Avenue and Habersham Street, across from the Savannah Police Department, is the Savannah Police Officer Memorial Monument.

Big Duke Alarm Bell

The Big Duke Alarm Bell celebrates the firefighters who have served Savannah in the past and serve the city today. It was originally created in 1872 and served as the only way to warn citizens if a fire threatened the city. In 1901, the alarm bell was recast. Its dedication to our city's firefights occurred in 1985.  You will find the Big Duke Bell in the Oglethorpe Avenue Median near the Savannah Fire Department.

1812 Wesley Chapel UMC Historical Marker

Historic Wesley Chapel was Savannah's first Methodist building and it was located at the corner of Lincoln Street and Oglethorpe Avenue. The chapel was named in honor of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, who spent time in Savannah during the early days of the settlement.

Conrad Aiken Historical Marker

Savannah native Conrad Aiken (1889-1973) is honored with a historical marker across from Colonial Park. Aiken was a prolific writer and poet who won the Pulitzer Price for Poetry for Selected Poems and later served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 1950 to 1952.

Independent Presbyterian Church Marker

A historical marker commemorating the history of Independent Presbyterian Church was erected at Oglethorpe Ave. and Bull Street in 1955, exactly 200 years after the congregation was formed. 

James Moore Wayne Historical Marker

This historical marker honors Savannah-native James Moore Wayne (born 1790) who served as the 16th Mayor of Savannah and later in the United States Congress.  In 1835, President Andrew Jackson appointed Wayne to the United States Supreme Court, where he served as an Associate Justice for 32 years.

Lowell Mason Historical Marker

Savannah honors Lowell Mason, a prolific composer of sacred worship music, who lived in the city for more than a decade while service as the organist of the Independent Presbyterian Church and the Superintendent of its Sunday school. The marker can be found at Bull Street and Oglethorpe Avenue

Jewish Cemetery Historical Marker

The Jewish Cemetery Monument is located along Oglethorpe Avenue. While the Colony of Georgia forbid Jews and Catholics from living there, Georgia's founding father bent the rules and allowed members of the Jewish community to stay after their unexpected arrival. In July 1733, five months after General James Edward Oglethorpe landed at Yamacraw Bluff, a ship carrying 42 Jewish passengers unexpectedly arrived. One of the Jewish passengers was a doctor. Oglethorpe was joyous at having a doctor, as many members of the colony had died from illness and allowed them to stay. He even granted permission for them to own land, which was in conflict with the charter establishing the colony. This marker commemorates the spot Oglethorpe allowed for the Jewish residents to use as a cemetery.

Scottish Forbears Obelisk

In 1987, The Savannah Chapter of the St. Andrew's Society placed a monument to honor their heritage and the legacy of the men and women who sailed with General Oglethorpe from England to establish to Colony of Georgia. The monument is an Elberton Blue Granite Obelisk that rises nearly 9' from its base.