The square was laid out in 1791 and is named for General Joseph Warren, a Revolutionary War hero killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill and who had served as president of the Provincial Government of Massachusetts.[2][3][4] British gunpowder seized by Savannahians had been sent to aid the Americans at Bunker Hill. The "sister city" relationship between Savannah and Boston survived even the Civil War, and Bostonians sent shiploads of provisions to Savannah shortly after the city surrendered to General Sherman in 1864.[5]
Each building below is in one of the eight blocks around the square composed of four residential "tything" blocks and four civic ("trust") blocks, now known as the Oglethorpe Plan. They are listed with construction years where known.
The Lincoln Street Parking Garage occupies the entire western side of the square.[6]
Southwestern residential/tything block
Although built to look somewhat similar to 324–326 East Bryan Street, directly opposite to the north, 321–323 East Congress Street was built in 1997.[7]
Northeastern residential/tything block
(Estate of) John Eppinger Property, 404 East Bryan Street (1822)[1] – moved from 211 West Perry Street
Patrick Shiels House, 410 East Bryan Street (1848)[1]
Dennis O'Connell House, 416 East Bryan Street (1888)[1]
Mary Driscoll House, 418 East Bryan Street (1898)[1]