WELCOME TO CAVE SPRING, GEORGIA
EST. 1832
Downtown Cave Spring * Log Structure under Green Hotel * W. S. Simmons (Lake) House
2011 PLANNED EVENTS IN CAVE SPRING
Date Event Time Location
February 1, 10 & 15 T- Ball Sign-up Community Center
March 4 - Steak Dinner 4:30 - 7:00 Community Center
March 27 - Story Telling Hearn Academy
March 29 - T-Ball Starts Ball Fields
April 2 - Smoked Butts Sale 12:00 Welcome Center & Museum
April 23 - Easter Egg Hunt 12:00 Old Fire Hall
June 4 & 5 Soft Ball Tournament Ball Fields
June 11 & 12 Cave Spring Arts Festival Rolater Park
July 4 - Parade Downtown
July 2 BBQ Welcome Center & Museum
July 2 Fireworks @ Dark
September 21 - Decorate Fall Scene Downtown
September 23 - The Pig Out (Arts & Craft only) 12:00 - 6:00 Rolater Park
September 24 - The Pig Out 10:00 Rolater Park
October 22 - Ghost Tours 6:00 Welcome Center & Museum
October 22 - Founder's Day Ball Hearn Academy
October 29 - Trick or Treating 5:30 - 9:00 Downtown
Costume Contest 6:00 Gazebo
November 7 - 11 Decorate Christmas Downtown
November 12 & 13 Christmas Open House Downtown
December 4 - Singing in the Park 6:00 Old Baptist Church, Rolater Park
December 7 - Candle Light Service on Square 6:00 Gazebo
(click to enlarge)
CAVE ENTRANCE * CAVE ACROSS POND * ROLATER PARK LAKE (POOL)
MUSEUM/WELCOME CENTER
4 ROME ROAD DOWNTOWN
SPONSORED BY THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
DONATIONS GREATLY APPRECIATED!
TO DONATE TO THE museum BUILDING PURCHASE FUND
Contact: Rip Montgomery,DDA 706-777-8608
Email: thepeddler13383@bellsouth.netHISTORY WORTH SAVING!!
NOW YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH NEW GOODIES AND EVENTS
HAPPENING AT
THE PEDDLER ON FACEBOOK
(click to enlarge)
Secure donations may also be made through your
pay pal accountto the log cabin fund with much gratitude from the restorers.
In the summer of 2010, this ancient two story log structure was discovered under the facade of the old Green Hotel in
Cave Spring. Testing and determining the origin, builders, age and species of trees from which the the structure was constructed is in progress now. The possibilities for opening up the early history that has been forgotten, lost or hidden in this area with such varied and interesting resources both geological and historical dating back to earliest man, make this a most exciting opportunity to add to the beneficial knowledge of our progeny and open a dialog that could help mankind make the hard decisions that will preserve the earth for many generations. We at least may learn to appreciate the toil and motivations that enabled the future progress in all the things that we richly enjoy.Theories of its origin and use are many. Perhaps it was a late 1700 to an early 1800 building that may have been used for a trading post, with or without a tavern, and hostelry, and built by the Cherokee who often had two story structures, and certainly lived here, and matches the description of an establishment run by a son of Avery Vann for whom our lovely Vann's Valley was named. New research is now
possibly connecting it with other very famous names in the Cherokee Nation.Perhaps it may have been used later to house students for the famous Lott Hearn Manual Labor School, (now known as simply Hearn Academy,) for which the "Father" of Cave Spring, Armistead Richardson, donated 200 acres in the middle of town, with the stipulation that the institution would never allow gambling in any form or the use of intoxicating spirits, thus making Cave Spring the "first temperance town on the globe."
Over the years the structure has had many uses, a few of which were the hotel, a building with apartments, a portion being a library at one time, a doctor's office for Dr. Harvey Norton, Jr., and finally an antique shop with a nursery and landscaping business. The Cave Spring Historical Society is diligently working toward buying the property and its ultimate preservation.
Come and visit soon and catch our
CABIN FEVER!Become a member of Cave Spring Historical Society
Exciting new Georgia Trail of Tears information
road ROUTES REDISCOVERED RUNNING through Polk and Cave Spring on Google Earth (link)
Requires Google Earth 5.0
see WHAT A great
VIRTUAL museum CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTY!CURATOR/WEBMASTER/ORIGINATOR IS HERMAN MCDANIEL
DETAILS OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
in cave spring AND OTHER AREA EVENTS:
a WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON LOCAL & AREA EVENTS, MERCHANTS, RV PARK, LODGING, past MOVIE PRODUCTIONS, CS COMMUNITY CENTER, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES, LINKS TO NW-GA & NE-AL ATTRACTIONS, PARKS AND MUSEUMS, HISTORY, PICTURES, & LINKS TO GEORGIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (EST. 1847).
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WEBSITE CONTACTS:
cavespringga@gmail.com,bwabernathy@gmail.com, or vabern1246@hotmail.com
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eating and SHOPPING IN CAVE SPRING
Shops & RESTAURANTS
SHOPS are usually open daily, 10-5 OR 6.
Sunday hours: 12 or 1 'til 5 OR 6.
F
See listings at Merchant Links
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DOWNTOWN
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THE VETERANS WALK and Citizens Memorial
with memorial bricks honoring servicemen of all wars and eras and others with connections to the City.
MEMORIAL BENCHES, LANDSCAPING & FLAGS TO HONOR THE 5 SERVICE BRANCHES
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HISTORICAL CAVE SPRING:
welcome TO CAVE SPRING, GEORGIA
past & present
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1. RICH'S BAKERY, 2. SPRING ( RAM PUMP CAGE), 1915
3. Wright & Ford & early wooden bldgs that burned
Bird's Eye View of Mill St. and Cave Spring looking North, 1908
\
FROM
THE ELLIS DICKERSON ALBUM, VIEW OF DOWNTOWN CAVE SPRING EARLY 1900 (FROM G S D AREA)IN PIC IS ERWIN HOTEL (CHURCH & RIVER ST.) IN UPPER MIDDLE, CAVE SPRING HOTEL MIDDLE ABOVE WATER, GREEN HOTEL MIDDLE FAR LEFT.
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(CLICK TO ENLARGE)
EARLY PICTURE OF G S D'S FANNIN HALL, CIRCA 1925
NOW CAVE SPRING CITY HALL, IT WAS USED DURING THE CIVIL WAR AS A HOSPITAL FOR THE TREATMENT
OF SOLDIERS FROM THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE AND THE UNION, INJURED DURING THE BATTLE OF ATLANTA.
IT'S BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS HAUNTED BY
GHOSTS & HISTORY OF SOUTHEASTERN TENNESSEE, INC
(SEE DETAILS (PLUS PICTURES, AUDIO, VIDEO) OF THEIR INVESTIGATION AT THE SITE.)
(MANY WHO LIVED IN THIS BUILDING HAVE EXPERIENCED HAIR PULLING FOLLOWED
BY A BREEZE AND OTHER PLAYFUL OR UNSETTLING PHENOMENA.)
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(CLICK TO ENLARGE)
↑NEW COMMUNITY CENTER AND COURTYARD
BEHIND FANNIN HALL in City Complex on Georgia Avenue
For rental details contact City Hall
706-777-3382
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ALABAMA ST(HWY411S/GA53) @ LEE STREET & PERRY FARM ROAD
CAVE SPRING DEPOT: {1} late 1800'S {2} 1940-1950 {3} NOW
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A BIT OF CAVE SPRING HISTORY
AND INFORMATION:
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Cave Spring, early having been settled by the Upper Creeks and later the Cherokees, attracted Europeans by 1826, and is still a small town in beautiful Vann's Valley, which is named for the family of Avery Vann, father of Cherokee Sub Chiefs, Joseph and David Vann. David was known to have lived and farmed 400 acres in and around Cave Spring, owning 17 houses, buildings and structures with slaves, and with a main residence that was described as being elegant living quarters in a letter discovered in the 1960's in Gordon County. The Cherokee Kitchen bot ehind the large two story brick home diagonally across from the old Depot, (circa 1880), has always been reputed to be part of his estate. The land and gold lotteries that preceded the tragic history of the Trail of Tears, changed forever the populace of the area and much early history is either not known or unrevealed---yet.
Located about 14 miles southwest of Rome and 5 miles east of the Alabama state line on US HWY 411S / GA HWY53, the community has managed to preserve its charm and integrity without excessive modern development, except for a brand new "state of the art" red light complete with crosswalk signals, now in the middle of town, an occasional facelift and paint updating the facades of the old buildings. In 2010, a two story log structure was discovered under the facade of the old Green Hotel with fascinating possibilities for uncovering theearliest history of the town. The Trail of Tears Association is doing extensive research of the early Cherokee history here, and finding wonderful information Though it is well known that the Cherokees were removed from Georgia, it was only in 2009 that The Omnibus Public Land Management Act H.R. 146 implemented the extension of the trail into Georgia and NC. Cave Spring's part of that history is remarkable and mapping the old Cherokee roads, and following them on Google Earth and the new sites where hopefully new markers will point out the old history will be of great value in understanding our history and early attitudes relating to settlement of this exquisite area.
Cave Spring's original claim to fame is its namesake mineral spring, flowing from the cave in Rolater Park, its 29 acre site having been given to the citizens of Cave Spring by Dr. Joseph B. Rolater in the early 1930's.. A major site in this "Land of Enchantment," thousands yearly enjoy family reunions, picnics, and just exploring the cave, observing the beauty of the area, and it's historic buildings, the pool, the creek, and the fish,ducks, and wild birds that enjoy the park.
Trout Unlimited sponsors a fun fishing experience for children of most ages, with a Fishing Rodeo held around the pond in Rolater Park stocked with Trout, on the 3rd Saturday in June.
New to the agenda of the town for everyone's enjoyment is the annual "Pig Out", on the last Saturday in September, a BBQ cookoff, with Artisan Demonstrations, including a blacksmith, weavers, quilters, and more, antique tractors and engines, a Model A Car Show, Living History by the Sons of Confederate Veterans, including cannons.
The annual Hwy 411 Yard Sale runs through Cave Spring, too, held Wednesday through Saturday at the end of September or the beginning of October, depending on how the days fall. The route is from Leeds, AL to an end point somewhere in Tennessee.
Date Event Time Location
February 1, 10 & 15 T- Ball Sign-up Community Center
March 4 - Steak Dinner 4:30 - 7:00 Community Center
March 27 - Story Telling Hearn Academy
March 29 - T-Ball Starts Ball Fields
April 2 - Smoked Butts Sale 12:00 Welcome Center & Museum
April 23 - Easter Egg Hunt 12:00 Old Fire Hall
June 4 & 5 Soft Ball Tournament Ball Fields
June 11 & 12 Cave Spring Arts Festival Rolater Park
July 4 - Parade Downtown
BBQ Welcome Center & Museum
Fireworks Downtown at dark
September 21 - Decorate Fall Scene Downtown
September 23 - The Pig Out (Arts & Craft only) 12:00 - 6:00 Rolater Park
September 24 - The Pig Out 10:00 Rolater Park
October 22 - Ghost Tours 6:00 Welcome Center & Museum
October 22 - Founder's Day Ball Hearn Academy
October 29 - Trick or Treating 5:30 - 9:00 Downtown
Costume Contest 6:00 Gazebo
November 7 - 11 Decorate Christmas Downtown
November 12 & 13 Christmas Open House Downtown
December 4 - Singing in the Park 6:00 Old Baptist Church, Rolater Park
December 7 - Candle Light Service on Square 6:00 Gazebo
December 10 - Christmas Parade 6:00 Downtown
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In Rolater Park are the Hearn Inn, the Hearn classroom building, & the Old Baptist Church, restored by and available for rent for lodging and events, from the Cave Spring Historical Society.↓↓
1.(HISTORIC) BAPTIST CHURCH 1940'S PC
2. HEARN CLASSROOM BUILDING 1940'S PC
3. HEARN ACADEMY DORM 1925 PC
1908 VIEW OF CAVE, SPRING, & POND
original cave entrance on hill above
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1940'S POST CARD IN CAVE 1998 VIEW INSIDE CAVE 1950'S PC
Pictures of Rolater Park
Opening Memorial day weekend through Labor Day, in
Rolater Park, is the 500 by 100 foot swimming pool/lake in the shape of the state of Georgia, built by the W P A during the "Great Depression."One of Georgia's largest swimming facilities, and constantly fed by the spring's clear, cold water, this enduring town attraction has amused many generations of Cave Springers and visitors.
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CAVE SPRING HIGH SCHOOL REMEMBERED
BUILT 1922-23, OPEN SEPTEMBER, 1923*
* CAVE SPRING & VAN(N)'S VALLEY, BY JAMES COFFEE HARRIS
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Link: CAVE SPRING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
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G S D FRONT GATE
232 Perry farm road CAVE SPRING, GEORGIA
706-777-2294
LINKS TO RECYCLING PROJECT, BOX TOP PROGRAM, AND BOOSTER INFO ABOVE
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G S D'S first students were taught in 1846 at Hearn School by O. P. Fannin.
The present campus is located at 232 Perry Farm Road.
Link above goes to G S D Web site.
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TALLALAH ESTATES was built by Major Wm. H. Gill, later called "Sunshine", by owner Robert Perry,
whose family loved to entertain at home and on Woodstock Lake nearby on the property.
(NOW DEMOLISHED), WAS LOCATED ON THE GORDON CAMPUS OF G S D.
BELOW IS ITS BEAUTIFUL LAKE IN 1920'S(1st thumbnail) & 1913 post card (2nd Thumbnail) & Woodstock Lake, 2010 Middle Pic
1. TALLALAH LAKE 2. WOODSTOCK LAKE 3. TALLALAH LAKE
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Come enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere of small town living. Wander through our shops for a sometimes nostalgic look at the past and get a heaping helping of fudge, or a Vera Bradley bag, among loads of goodies offered in the shops.
Relax in the gazebo on the square and watch the world go by, or wade at the spring or in Little Cedar Creek,
and swim in Rolater Lake (the pool) in the summer season.
Honor veterans in the town square at the lovely new winding bricked sidewalk leading from the gazebo to the veterans memorial, complete with flags honoring the services, & memorial benches for repose throughout park and town and don't forget our 4th of July Parade, 9 AM sharp.
tour the cave, and sit on the "Devil's Chair", near the original cave entrance at the top. See the lighted camel head-appearing stalagmites in the main chamber and its other formations and rooms, and the chamber through which the spring runs.
Bring your license and your gear, and fish for trout in Little Cedar Creek, restocked twice a month by Georgia Fish and Game Commission.
Watch for planned events
and JOIN us for the fun!
Now it's your turn!
PLAN YOUR TRIP. ENJOY YOUR TIME HERE. AND THEN
Fill your water bottles for free where the pure spring water emerges
from the cave after your fun-filled day
to enjoy this delicious natural resource at your home.
And PLEASE remember---
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Cave Spring is always
WAITING for you!
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MANY THANKS FOR YOUR PATRONAGE
and COME BACK SOON!
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WEBSITE Maintained by
Vicki & Billy Wayne Abernathy
(drawing by Curtis Craw)
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