CAVE SPRING — In 1832 Alexander Thorton Harper was the first white child born in Cave Spring.

This is just one of the many facts shared by Nancy Boehm, one of the guides during a Rome Area History Museum tour of Cave Spring on Tuesday.

“I think it’s wonderful to have all these people here. I really hope people gain an appreciation of Cave Spring and come back to see us again,” said Boehm, chairwoman of the Cave Spring Downtown Development Authority.

More than 50 people attended the tour to learn about the huge history of the small town.

“We had such a great turnout, especially considering the heat and everything. It’s a complete shocker — but in a good way,” said Leigh Barba, executive director of the Rome Area History Museum.

Many historical areas of Cave Spring were part of the tour, including the new welcome center at the Asbury House; the Wesley O. Connor House, home of a long-time superintendent of Georgia School for the Deaf; the Tumlin House, built in the 1850s, now a bed and breakfast; the Hearn Inn, originally a boy’s dormitory for the Hearn Academy; and the Webster-Green Hotel, where a Cherokee cabin was recently found after years of speculation that the structure was inside.

The cabin is believed to have been built by Cherokee Indians around 1830 and is attached to the old hotel.

“I love Cave Spring, and I’m new to Georgia, (and) I’ve always been fascinated with the history of Cave Spring,” said Jeanie Hogan of Louisiana, a tour participant.

Another participant, Jane McCool, lived in Cedar­town from 1987 to 1998 and used to frequently visit Cave Spring.

“I think it’s wonderful. I am absolutely thrilled about the opening up of the town. There is a part of me that is a little sad because Cave Spring used to be somewhat of a hidden treasure, but I’m glad that people are getting to see how great the town really is,” she said.

There were also some tour guides from the Cave Spring Cabin Committee, including Winnie Morrow and Dianna Edwards Haney, who told about the history of the town.

“Our purpose is to save the history of Cave Spring for the future generations,” stated Morrow.

Click here for a PDF containing history of Cave Spring, and for information and locations for the buildings in the tour.

Chelsea Latta, a senior at Model High, is an intern with the Rome News-Tribune.