Native Amercians originally and now families stroll the sidewalks and nature trails through what is now, the oldest state park in the nation, on a quest for a taste of healing waters. Nature lovers ride up on their bikes for the 'revitalizing and refreshing' waters, and to cool down with a dip in the falls. The young and old journey into the history of yesteryear with tours of a Federalist style Indian Spring Hotel/Museum (ca 1823) built by Brigadier General and Chief William McIntosh, of half-Creek and Scottish descent, who signed the Treaty of 1825 in this very Hotel that ceded 4.7 million acres of land to the State of Georgia. This history alone should draw many to see where the lives of so many Native Americans were changed, forever. Imagine the re-creation in a local play of this controversial treaty signing and his murder by his brethren for doing so. Imagine the sermons in the Queen Anne style Indian Springs Chapel (ca 1890) and learning how the children felt as they cooked their lunch over the pot-bellied stove in the Old Schoolhouse (ca 1885).
Imagine the visitors meandering through the historical and whimsical gardens experiencing 'accidental learning' while enjoying the beauty of the native plants of the by-gone era. A bride and her beau continuing to build memories in the Chapel and Formal Rose Garden and Gazebo, as many tell of their weddings from a hundred years back - in tongue and in letter. Imagine the faces of the little ones as they buy sweets and ice cream. Imagine a time gone by with local artist renditions of the ten hotels which previously populated the area for sale in the Art Gallery as tourist take back memories with purchases from the antique shop and gift store. With the Hotel open as a museum and the numerous festivals planned, and with all the refurbished shops and venues named for local historic families - both rich in money and in legend - the lure of Indian Springs, GA is being reborn while carrying on the wonderfully rich cultural history.
Imagine all this through the eyes of an individual from far away, or a group on a corporate retreat staying in a 5 bedroom 16,000 square foot 1852 antebellum home with 20' columns, antiques, Victorian tubs and fireplaces with sweeping terraces of azaleas and hydrangeas and the sweet smell of jasmine while swimming in the spa like pool. Imagine fishing in a private lake with a picnic of snacks and sandwiches from the Big Chief Country Store. Imagine these visitors soaking up this heritage yet plugging into high-speed internet to email the outside world of the "uniqueness of this sweet secret in the hearet of the South". Imagine the Indian Springs Holiness Campground, a Non-denominational 600 acre attraction, which has extended a branch of partnership for their well-kept secret of their 1898 Hotel and revival camp meetings and gospel sings which are open to the public. Imagine all this surrounded by 600 acres of the oldest state park in the nation housing a serene 100 acre lake open for fishing for all to venture with little jon-boats and paddle boats to explore the far edges of the lake. All this with 80 campsites and RV sites close at hand. And explore the beauty of Dauset Trails, a wonderful setting to learn of native animals and ride the 17 miles of mountain bike trails and 11 miles of horse trails.
A POPULAR GEORGIA RESORT SINCE 1825. A relaxing get-away built around the recently restored Indian Spring Hotel Museum - the original building where the Treaty of 1825 was signed with the Creek Indians deeding most of what is now GA, AL and MS to the State of Georgia. Civil War History tells of Sherman's troops camping here and converting the old StageCoach Stop into a Hospital. Make it a day trip with the family or spend the weekend around one of our Country's few remaining natural mineral springs. Just one hour South of ATLANTA, take I-75S Exit 205 East, OR fourty minutes north of Macon take exit 188 at Forsyth, and follow the signs to Indian Springs State Park.
Come see why SOUTHERN LIVING and GEORGIA TREND MAGAZINE featured our sweet little area and Governor Perdue awarded us "Best New Tourist Destination". Come drink the water. And once you tour the delights of The Village at Indian Springs, you may choose to knight yourself as a Village Idiot too! :)
