Cave Spring, a charming small town nestled in the scenic foothills of northwest Georgia, invites visitors to immerse themselves in a slower pace of life. Renowned for its iconic limestone cave and crystal-clear spring, this picturesque destination offers a wealth of things to see and do for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and families alike.
Today, we will explore the historic buildings in Rolater Park, visit the famous Cave Spring, stroll through the historic downtown streets lined with unique shops and local eateries, and discover several other areas of historical interest.
For a full walking tour, check out my video below.
Cave Spring History
Cave Spring sits along the Trail of Tears in Georgia. Before their forced removal, the Cherokee controlled much of the region, including the spot now called Cave Spring—once known as Beaver Dam. This area became a stronghold for Cherokee resistance as they faced displacement by white settlers.
Back in the 1820s, families of English and Scottish-Irish ancestry started settling in the area, drawn by its clear water and striking scenery. They had no idea that the spring bubbling out of the cave was actually fueled by an underground aquifer, pumping out two to three million gallons of water every single day. The settlers loved the place so much that they built their first churches, schools, and homes all around the cave, making it the heart of their new community.
Rolater Park
The heart of Cave Spring, Rolater Park is home to the town’s famous natural cave and spring. In 1931, Dr. J.B. Rolater, who lived in Cave Spring and went to Hearn Academy (which is located within the park), offered 29 acres of land with a natural cave and clear springs to make a public park to benefit the residents of the City of Cave Spring.
Inscription from the plaque in the park:
“Dr. J.B. Rolater – a former student of Hearn Academy and resident of Cave Spring – gave and granted these 29 acres of land, with its natural cave and clear springs, for a public park to benefit the residents of the City of Cave Spring. By way of this gift, many have come to enjoy his generosity.”
For more information about the Rolater Park Historic District, click here.
Cave Spring Cave & Spring
Located within Rolater Park, this historic limestone cave is the town’s namesake and a must-see attraction. The natural limestone cave maintains a consistent 57 degrees.
The spring and its surrounding cave were vital to the area’s early Cherokee inhabitants, providing fresh water and a gathering place long before European settlement. In the 19th century, the site became central to the community that formed around it, serving as a hub for commerce, education, and daily life.
Locals continue to fill water jugs from the cave’s spring for drinking water, and the cave is open for tours seasonally.
It’s said that the spring pumps out 2 million gallons of water a day, making it one of the largest limestone springs in the state.
Rolater Lake
The crystal-clear spring flows from the cave and feeds into Rolater Lake, a unique, 1.5-acre spring-fed swimming area shaped like the state of Georgia, which is the second largest in the state.
Hearn Academy
In 1838, the Cave Spring Baptist Church set up an education committee to create a permanent school. Construction began on what they called The Manual Labor School, focusing on teaching boys practical farming skills and trades that could earn a living. The school held its first class in 1839. In 1846, Lott Hearn donated an endowment, and the school was renamed Hearn Academy and shifted its focus toward academic preparation.
After a fire, the original building was replaced in 1910 by the current structure. Hearn Academy thrived as a prep school up until 1922, when Georgia’s growing public school system started to take over its role. The school officially closed in 1925, and these days the building hosts special events.
Hearn Inn
Built as a dormitory, it is now an inn that can be rented for overnight stays. See my complete write-up and history here.
Baptist Church
Cave Spring Baptist Church was constituted with eight original members on September 24, 1836, making it the third oldest Baptist congregation in Northwest Georgia. Before their current Greek Revival church was constructed in 1851, members gathered in a general store and later in the dormitory at Hearn School.
Georgia School for the Deaf
The original campus now houses City Hall and was once part of the Hearn Academy. In 1997, the City of Cave Spring purchased the original campus from the State of Georgia for $178,000. In August 1999, city offices relocated to Fannin Hall. The new campus is off of Perry Farm Road. You can find a historical marker at the original campus that talks about its history.
Inscription on the historical marker:
In 1833, a deaf man, John Jacobus Flournoy, of Jackson County, great grandson of Jacob Flournoy, a French Huguenot, urging education for the deaf, interested Governor Wilson Lumpkin and the Georgia Legislature in the educational movement. At first the pupils, few in number, were sent to the American Asylum for Deaf and Dumb in Hartford, Conn. Distance, weather and the youth of the pupils made that unsatisfactory.
On May 15, 1846, with four pupils in a log cabin, with O.P. Fannin, teacher, this school began as a part of the Hearn Manual School at Cave Spring, Georgia. This school grew rapidly, and, in 1847, a brick building was erected and dedicated. Later, other additions were made.
The school was closed during the War Between the States and used as a hospital by both Confederate and Union forces. It resumed operations in February 1867 and is still supported by the State of Georgia. In 1955 this school had 82 teachers and employees and an income of more than $500,000.
Historic Downtown Cave Spring
Stroll through the charming downtown area to browse antique shops, boutiques, and local restaurants. The historic buildings and friendly atmosphere make it a delightful place to explore and soak up the town’s character.
The square is lined with historic buildings (most are over 100 years old) that are now shops and eateries. You can read more about the designation here.
There is one building with a peculiar sign.
Cave Spring Welcome Center & Museum
Located in a former train depot, the Welcome Center provides helpful information for visitors and houses a small museum with exhibits on the area’s history, Native American heritage, and local culture. Unfortunately, it wasn’t open when we were there.
I couldn’t find much history about the building itself (the welcome center doesn’t even have a website), so I will have to do more research and update this when found.
The Vann Cherokee Cabin
Built in 1810 by Avery Vann of the Cherokee Nation, who was a Scottish trader who married a Cherokee woman and was the brother of Cherokee Chief James Vann. For years, the cabin sat unseen within the walls of the old Webster-Green Hotel in downtown Cave Spring. When plans emerged to tear down the hotel in 2009, the Cave Spring Historical Society stepped in, and their work uncovered a remarkable piece of Georgia’s past. After a lot of research and careful restoration, the cabin finally opened its doors to the public in 2016. It’s thought to be the second oldest surviving two-story Native American home.
Know Before You Go
Just be forewarned, like most small towns, hours of operation for shops, attractions, and food places are all suggestions, with almost everything being closed on Sundays & Mondays. Most everything was closed while we were there for two days in February. You will likely have better luck if you visit on a Saturday during the spring or summer months.
We do plan to go back in hopes more things will be open, so stay tuned!
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