Emmet Park

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Emmet Park
The Strand
Irish Green (former name)
Emmett Pk, Savannah - panoramio.jpg
A 2016 view of the row of live oak trees between the park and East Bay Street, looking east from the Rossiter Place exit onto East Bay Street
Emmet Park
Type Urban park
Location Savannah, Georgia, United States
Coordinates 32°04′48″N81°05′10″W / 32.0798681°N 81.086056°W / 32.0798681; -81.086056 Coordinates: 32°04′48″N81°05′10″W / 32.0798681°N 81.086056°W / 32.0798681; -81.086056
Area4.55 acres (0.0184 km2; 0.00711 sq mi)
Elevation32.8 feet (10.0 m) [1]
Owned byCity of Savannah

Emmet Park, also known as The Strand, is an urban park in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Its most prominent section is located in the northeastern corner of the city's historic downtown area, in what was known as the Old Fort neighborhood, [2] it continues in a dotted fashion for around 0.6 miles (0.97 km) west along Bay Street to its intersection with Jefferson Street. Monuments occupy several of the individual sections.

Contents

History

Formerly known as the Irish Green, [2] established with the help of Wexford native William Kehoe, [3] the park was named in 1902 for Irish orator Robert Emmet, [2] in commemoration of the centennial of his death, [4] although Emmet did not visit Savannah during his life. [2]

Two memorials stand in Emmet Park: an Irish Celtic Cross memorial, a Vietnam War veterans memorial, a Korean War memorial, a Chatham Artillery memorial and a memorial to Dr. Noble Wimberly Jones. [5]

Old Harbor Light also stands in the park, at its eastern extremity. It was erected in 1858. [6]

The park is a focal point for Savannah's Saint Patrick's Day celebration, one of the country's largest after Boston. [7]

Live oaks

The live oak trees that line the sidewalk between The Strand and Bay Street were first planted in 1857. They replaced rows of Chinaberry trees that were planted in the late 18th century. [8]

Related Research Articles

Robert Emmet Irish nationalist and Republican, and orator, executed after leading an abortive rebellion in 1803

Robert Emmet was an Irish Republican, orator and rebel leader. Following the suppression of the United Irish uprising in 1798, he sought to organise a renewed attempt to overthrow the British Crown and Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland, and to establish a nationally representative government. Emmet entertained, but ultimately abandoned, hopes of immediate French assistance and of coordination with radical militants in Great Britain. In Ireland, many of the surviving veterans of '98 hesitated to lend their support, and his rising in Dublin in 1803 proved abortive.

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St Stephens Green Public park in Dublin, Ireland

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Noble Wimberly Jones American politician

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Old Harbor Light (Savannah, Georgia) Lighthouse in Georgia, United States

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References

  1. Elevation Finder
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Five key Irish contributors to Savannah’s history, heritage" - Savannah Morning News , March 6, 2019
  3. "Man of Iron: William Kehoe". Freeman's Rag. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  4. Savannah’s Irish and Robert Emmet Park - Georgia Historical Society
  5. Savannah Irish and Robert Emmet Park - Georgia Historical Society
  6. Old Harbor Light - Georgia Historical Society
  7. Monaco, Rachael (March 10, 2013). "Second oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in United States hosted by Philadelphians." Examiner. Denver, CO: Clarity Digital Group, LLC.
  8. "Savannah's Historic Waterfront An Architectural and Urban Tour" – Dr Robin Williams, the Chair of Architectural History at Savannah College of Art and Design, Urban Traces, YouTube, May 4, 2020 (Emmet Park section begins at 30:00)