Forsyth Park began in the 1840s on 10 acres given by William Brown Hodgson. It was expanded and named for Georgia Governor John Forsyth in 1851. It covers 30 acres.
The fountain was installed in 1858 and cast by Janes, Beebe & Company. Its design comes from the work of French sculptor Michel Lienard and resembles fountains at the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
The Confederate Memorial was unveiled in 1874 and a bronze soldier was added in 1879. The Fragrant Garden was designed for the blind, and the fountain is ceremonially turned green for St. Patrick's Day.