Stranger things in Georgia: Echo Square is an auditory oddity near Savannah's River Street
In the case of Savannah's River Street, "X" doesn't mark the spot for treasure, but it is the spot for a priceless experience.
Located in Rousakis Plaza, Echo Square doesn't look like much more than a small, bricked area surrounded by plants, ideal for sitting and watching the water. But don't judge a book by its cover. In the middle is what looks like an "X" made of black pavers. Those who stand in the middle have been known to experience a strange auditory anomaly, like an echo that can only be heard if you're standing on the "X."
Here's what some Google reviewers have experienced:
"What you've got to do is stand on the X, face the water, and start speaking. Your own voice reverberates in your head and all around you. Just speak normally. It’s pretty crazy. No one else can hear it doing that."
"Kind of neat, just stand directly on the "X" and start talking. It sounds like there's speakers all around you pointing at you but there's varying delays in the feedback from your voice as you hear it."
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According to a previous Savannah Morning News story, it's unclear what is causing this phenomenon. It may be a combination of the sound bouncing between the buildings and the Savannah River and then focused by the planters. It's also not completely certain whether or not this was intended by the square's designers as the effect was not advertised or inscribed on any kind of plaque.
Whatever the reason, Echo Square holds the distinction of being a rather hidden gem, but also being a memorable stop for tourists like Nikki Montgomery from Wisconsin.
"We had a lot of fun there," she wrote via Messenger. "My kids thought it was the coolest spot in Savannah. They were so excited to tell every kid that walked by while we were there about it."
Patrick Mckinney had a similar experience with his kids.
"Each tried it out and couldn’t believe what was going on," he wrote via Messenger. "They thought maybe there are speakers in the bushes. It was weird."
The square is located at 305 East River St. between the river and Fannie's Your Aunt. There is a public parking lot next to the square, but it is pay-to-park.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Echo Square at Savannah's River Street causes strange sound effects
