Savannah Honors Civil War Educator; Renames Square

Susie King Taylor Square: A name echoing resilience.

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Savannah Square Renamed: Erasing Hate, Honoring Legacy

Savannah’s City Council made a powerful decision. They voted to rename Calhoun Square. The new name is Taylor Square. This change honors Susie King Taylor (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA; Savannah to rename downtown square after Susie King Taylor; City of Savannah to Dedicate Taylor Square Feb. 10). Taylor was formerly enslaved. She remarkably became the first African American woman to openly teach Black children in Georgia. This renaming is a significant step for the city.

The square previously honored John C. Calhoun. He was a former U.S. Vice President. Calhoun was also a staunch advocate for slavery. Replacing his name removes a painful symbol. Instead, Savannah now celebrates Taylor’s incredible contributions. She served as an educator, nurse, and author during the Civil War (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA; Savannah to rename downtown square after Susie King Taylor). Therefore, the change reflects a shift towards acknowledging a more inclusive history.

Susie King Taylor Square: A Testament to Black Resilience

Who was Susie King Taylor? Her story is one of extraordinary courage. Born into slavery in 1848, she faced immense hardship (The Woman Behind Savannah’s Taylor Square; City of Savannah to Dedicate Taylor Square Feb. 10). Yet, she found ways to learn. Taylor clandestinely attended secret schools in Savannah, defying laws forbidding education for enslaved people. At just 14, she escaped slavery. She reached Union-occupied territory during the Civil War (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA).

Taylor did not stop there. She immediately used her literacy skills for good. She established a school for newly freed children and adults, known as freedpeople (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA; City of Savannah to Dedicate Taylor Square Feb. 10). Alongside her teaching, she also served bravely as a nurse. Taylor tended to Black soldiers during the Civil War. Her dedication highlights the critical role Black women played during this turbulent era. Consequently, her life serves as an inspiration.

Calhoun Square History: From Burial Ground to Symbol of Hope

The square now bearing Taylor’s name has a complex past. Originally known as Calhoun Square, it holds layers of difficult history. Research indicates the site served as a burial ground for enslaved Savannahians (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA; Savannah to rename downtown square after Susie King Taylor). Naming it after Calhoun, a defender of slavery, added another layer of pain. It represented a tie to systemic oppression for many in the Black community.

Replacing Calhoun’s name with Taylor’s transforms the space. It becomes a symbol of reconciliation. Taylor’s dedication to education represents uplift and progress. Her name now marks a place once associated with bondage. Moreover, it acknowledges the deep, often overlooked, history of the enslaved people connected to that land (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA). This renaming actively counters the narrative imposed by the Calhoun dedication.

Civil War Educator Honored After Lengthy Campaign

Renaming the square was not a quick process. It took three years of dedicated effort (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA; The Woman Behind Savannah’s Taylor Square). The Susie King Taylor Center for Jubilee led the charge. Their work involved gathering petitions. It required navigating city policies and seeking community approvals. This persistent advocacy highlights the grassroots commitment behind the change.

The Savannah City Council made the final decision in October 2023 (City of Savannah to Dedicate Taylor Square Feb. 10). Following the vote, the square remained unnamed for about a year during the transition (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA). The official dedication ceremony for Taylor Square finally took place on February 10, 2024. Indeed, this marked the culmination of years of work by advocates and community members (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA; City of Savannah to Dedicate Taylor Square Feb. 10).

Breaking Barriers: Savannah’s First Square Honoring a Black Woman

The naming of Taylor Square is truly historic. It marks the first time a Savannah square has been named after a Black woman (Savannah to rename downtown square after Susie King Taylor; The Woman Behind Savannah’s Taylor Square). In fact, it’s the first named for any person of color. This breaks a long pattern. For 140 years, Savannah’s squares predominantly honored white men, often figures connected to the slavery era or European history (Savannah to rename downtown square after Susie King Taylor; City of Savannah to Dedicate Taylor Square Feb. 10; The Woman Behind Savannah’s Taylor Square).

Before this change, Savannah had 22 historic squares (Savannah dedicates Susie King Taylor Square – The Current GA; The Woman Behind Savannah’s Taylor Square). Taylor Square now joins this unique urban landscape. Its presence signifies a deliberate move toward representation. It ensures that the city’s public spaces begin to reflect the contributions of all its people. Ultimately, this decision challenges historical narratives and celebrates Black achievement.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.