Why you should experience Waving Girl Statue in Savannah, Georgia.
Waving Girl Statue is Savannah's most enduring symbol of welcome, a story cast in bronze that captures the spirit of the city itself.
Standing gracefully along the riverfront at Morrell Park, the statue depicts Florence Martus, the lighthouse keeper's sister who waved to every ship entering the port for 44 years, from 1887 to 1931. With her scarf raised high, she became a living legend, a silent ambassador of kindness whose gesture was returned by countless sailors passing through the harbor. The sculpture, illuminated by the shifting light of dawn and dusk, embodies the same warmth and constancy that make Savannah unforgettable.
What you didn’t know about Waving Girl Statue.
The statue was created in 1972 by sculptor Felix de Weldon, the artist behind the Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Florence Martus's story remains one of the most beloved in Savannah's lore: each day she greeted ships from her post on Elba Island, rain or shine, using a handkerchief by day and a lantern by night. Some sailors swore her wave brought them luck. Though she never married, her devotion to the seafarers who passed by became her life's work, and her legend grew until the city immortalized her in bronze. Today, her figure faces east, forever welcoming travelers from across the Atlantic.
How to fold Waving Girl Statue into your trip.
Visit early in the morning for solitude or at sunset when the statue glows against the golden river light.
Begin your walk along the Savannah Riverwalk or River Street and follow the waterfront path to Morrell Park, where the statue stands overlooking the harbor. Take a quiet moment to reflect on Florence's story, one of hope, routine, and human connection that transcends time. Bring a coffee, sit by the railing, and watch the ships pass just as she once did. The Waving Girl isn't merely a monument, she's a feeling made visible, Savannah's eternal gesture of welcome.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
“Cobblestones that destroy your ankles, pralines that ruin your diet, and bars that promise you'll forget both by sundown.”
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