Cave Spring, Georgia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cave Spring, Georgia
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Downtown Cave Spring
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Location in Floyd County and the state of Georgia
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| Country | United States |
| State | Georgia |
| County | Floyd |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.68 sq mi (9.54 km2) |
| • Land | 3.67 sq mi (9.50 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 640 ft (195 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,174 |
| • Density | 320.15/sq mi (123.61/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
30124
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| Area code(s) | 706/762 |
| FIPS code | 13-14108 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0355041 |
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, up from 975 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Rome, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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. 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 / 34.10889°N 85.33611°W (34.108912, -85.336018). 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.
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.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 835 | — | |
| 1890 | 952 | 14.0% | |
| 1900 | 824 | −13.4% | |
| 1910 | 805 | −2.3% | |
| 1920 | 738 | −8.3% | |
| 1930 | 723 | −2.0% | |
| 1940 | 982 | 35.8% | |
| 1950 | 959 | −2.3% | |
| 1960 | 1,153 | 20.2% | |
| 1970 | 1,305 | 13.2% | |
| 1980 | 883 | −32.3% | |
| 1990 | 950 | 7.6% | |
| 2000 | 975 | 2.6% | |
| 2010 | 1,200 | 23.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,174 | −2.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
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| 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.
Education
Cave Spring is within the Floyd County School District. Cave Spring was formally home to Cave Spring Elementary School until it closed in 2022. The zoned middle and high schools serving Cave Spring are Coosa Middle School and Coosa High School.
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
- Horace Alton White was born in Cave Spring
See also
In Spanish: Cave Spring para niños
