Cave Spring

History

The town of Cave Spring dates to 1832, but the community is much older. Historically, indigenous peoples of the area (both Cherokee and the earlier Mississippian culture) used the site for drinking water, tribal meetings, and games, according to legend. The town was founded in 1832 by Baptists who were among its early settlers. It takes its name from a clear water spring which still serves as the main source of drinking water for Cave Spring and nearby communities. The water is now delivered by a modern pumping system and has won awards for purity and taste. The spring flows from its source inside the cave into a small rock pool or open reservoir, separated from a larger duck pond. Both ponds are located just outside the cave entrance, which is fronted by a man-made rock wall. These improvements were added as part of Rolater Park, named in 1921. The wall encloses a lobby leading to the natural cave entrance, which widens to a larger cavity. The cave features limestone formations; one, a large stalagmite, is named the Devil's Stool. There is also a manmade staircase inside the cave for those who want to view the formations from above. The park site was formerly used by educational institutions such as Cave Spring Manual Labor School (renamed Hearn Academy) and others including Georgia School for the Deaf. During the Atlanta campaign of the Civil War in 1864, both Confederate and Union troops came to Cave Spring for hospitalization and rest. Cave Spring has historic homes and buildings from its early years, such as the 1867 Presbyterian Church, 1880 train depot, and 19th century hotels and boarding houses.

Geography

Cave Spring is located in southwestern Floyd County at (34.108912, -85.336018). U.S. Route 411 passes through the city, leading northeast to Rome and west to Gadsden, Alabama. The Alabama border is west of Cave Spring. Georgia State Route 100 leads north from Cave Spring to Coosa and southeast to Cedartown. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Cave Spring has a total area of , of which , or 0.36%, is water.

Race & ethnicity