The square is named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham.

[1] The oldest building on the square is the Enoch Hendry Row House, at 108–112 West Taylor Street, which dates to 1851.

[2] Chatham Square is sometimes known locally as Barnard Square, in reference to the 1901-built Barnard Street School (which actually stands at 212 West Taylor Street)[2][3] and has served as a building for the Savannah College of Art and Design since 1988.

The square contains a sundial dedicated to African-American politician Louis Burke Toomer in 1964.

[6] One of two Quantock Rows in the city, this one comprises the six homes between 114 and 124 West Taylor Street.