Cave Spring, Georgia

Cave Spring is a city in Floyd County, Georgia, United States. It is located 17 miles (27 km) southwest of Rome, the county seat. The population of Cave Spring was 1,200 at the 2010 census,[4] up from 975 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Rome, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Cave Spring, Georgia
City
Downtown Cave Spring
Downtown Cave Spring
Location in Floyd County and the state of Georgia
Location in Floyd County and the state of Georgia
Coordinates: 34°6′32″N 85°20′10″W
CountryUnited States
StateGeorgia
CountyFloyd
Area
[1]
 • Total3.68 sq mi (9.54 km2)
 • Land3.67 sq mi (9.50 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
640 ft (195 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,174
 • Density320.15/sq mi (123.61/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
30124
Area code(s)706/762
FIPS code13-14108[2]
GNIS feature ID0355041[3]
Websitewww.cityofcavespring.com

The town is named for its natural limestone cave and mineral spring site which serves as the main source of drinking water for nearby communities. The spring flows from the cave into a rock holding pond in Rolater Park and then into a 1.5-acre (6,100 m2) swimming pool constructed of stones.

Spring water is piped to local homes and businesses by the public-utility service of Cave Spring.[5] Visitors may also bring jugs to fill at the spring and take home for drinking.

Geography

Cave Spring is located in southwestern Floyd County at 34°6′32″N 85°20′10″W (34.108912, -85.336018).[6] U.S. Route 411 passes through the city, leading northeast 17 miles (27 km) to Rome and west 46 miles (74 km) to Gadsden, Alabama. The Alabama border is 5 miles (8 km) west of Cave Spring. Georgia State Route 100 leads north from Cave Spring 12 miles (19 km) to Coosa and southeast 11 miles (18 km) to Cedartown.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Cave Spring has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.5 km2), of which 0.02 square miles (0.04 km2), or 0.36%, is water.[4]

History
Rolater Park is known for its spring water and pre-Civil War cave.

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.[7] 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.

Government and infrastructure

Its city hall is Fannin Hall, formerly part of the Georgia School for the Deaf.[8] It was renovated and reopened in 2015.[9]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880835—
189095214.0%
1900824−13.4%
1910805−2.3%
1920738−8.3%
1930723−2.0%
194098235.8%
1950959−2.3%
19601,15320.2%
19701,30513.2%
1980883−32.3%
19909507.6%
20009752.6%
20101,20023.1%
20201,174−2.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

2020 census
Cave Spring racial composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 970 82.62%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 122 10.39%
Native American 2 0.17%
Asian 8 0.68%
Pacific Islander 1 0.09%
Other/Mixed 43 3.66%
Hispanic or Latino 28 2.39%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 1,174 people, 459 households, and 260 families residing in the city.

2000 census

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 975 people, 404 households, and 281 families residing in the city. The population density was 242.7 inhabitants per square mile (93.7/km2). There were 431 housing units at an average density of 107.3 per square mile (41.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.82% White, 12.41% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.44% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.15% of the population.

There were 404 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 5.1% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.5 males.

The building of the Georgia School for the Deaf, Fannin Hall, was built in 1846. It was later used as a field hospital for Civil War soldiers. It is now city hall of Cave Spring.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,750, and the median income for a family was $47,917. Males had a median income of $35,395 versus $20,962 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,850. About 14.0% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Cave Spring is within the Floyd County School District.[12] The district operates Cave Spring Elementary School.[13] The zoned middle and high schools serving Cave Spring are Coosa Middle School and Coosa High School.[14]

Cave Spring is the home of the Georgia School for the Deaf, established in 1846. It is a state-funded residential school operating under the auspices of the Office of Special Services of the Georgia State Department of Education and the Georgia State Board of Education. It aims to ensure that appropriate educational programs are available for hearing-impaired and multi-handicapped hearing-impaired students residing in Georgia. GSD was once a field hospital for both Confederate and Union troops during the Civil War.

Notable residents

References
  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001), Cave Spring city, Georgia". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  5. "City of Cave Spring". Public Utilities. City of Cave Spring. 2021. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  6. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  7. "Floyd County". Calhoun Times. September 1, 2004. p. 57. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  8. Riquelmy, Alan (March 9, 2014). "Fannin Hall: A historic structure in need". Rome News-Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  9. "Cave Spring's historic Fannin Hall reopens renewed". Rome News-Tribune. August 23, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
  12. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Floyd County, GA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  13. "Home". Cave Spring Elementary School. Retrieved June 25, 2021. 13 Rome Road, Cave Spring, GA 30124
  14. "School Distrist's(sic) Feeder Patterns". Floyd County School District. June 1, 2008. Archived from the original on June 1, 2008. Retrieved July 16, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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