Welcome to the Homepage of the Indian Spring Hotel sponsored by
the Butts County Historical Society
Chief William McIntosh (1775ca - 1825)
William McIntosh, son of Captain William McIntosh and Senoia Henneha of
the Coweta-Cussitta Towns of the Lower Creeks. Born about 1775 near
Tuetumpla (now Alabama) McIntosh was raised by his mothers brothers
who taught him the life skills necessary to survive in the wilderness
on his own.
McIntosh also spent much time with his father and stepmother in the
Savannah area. It was here that he learned to read, write and speak
English. He learned his business skills from his father as well.
Feeling comfortable with both his mother's people and his father's
people helped McIntosh to gain the confidence necessary to become a
leader
His mother was of the Wind Clan, the clan from which leaders are
usually chosen. McIntosh became a Micco or king of the Lower Creek
villages. That is he was elected orator or chief spokesman for these
loosely aligned villages.
White's Historical Collections of Georgia, an early Goergia history,
described McIntosh as intelligent and brave, in person he was tall,
finely formed and of graceful and commanding manners. His first cousin
was George Troup who served as Governor of Georgia.
McIntosh's military rank was earned by fighting with American forces
under the command of Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. He fought well
at the battles of Autossee, the Battle of Horse Shoe and in the Florida
campaign. His rank was Brigadier General.
An astute businessman, McIntosh amassed considerable wealth. His
plantation in Carroll County was the home of 40 slaves, many head of
cattle and sheep as well as much land under cultivation. McIntosh was
married three times to Sasanna Coe, a Creek woman, Peggy a Cherokee
and Eliza. Each lived in her own home on a nearby plantation.
By 1823 when the first of the treaties for land in Georgia were being
signed, McIntosh was aware that the Americans were going to acquire
more and more land. Having fought along side them, McIntosh felt
strongly that the Creeks should sell their land and take the money and
land promised in the West. It was to this end that he signed the
Treaty of 1825 at the Indian Spring Hotel. Unfortunately McIntosh was
unable to convince the leaders of the Upper Creek villages or the
Cherokee at New Echota. He wrote to his cousin, Governor Troup asking
for support, but the promised troops never arrived. While the Treaty
was being signed on the bar, leaders of the Upper Creek villages stood
outside the hotel and swore revenge on McIntosh.
McIntosh was followed to his home in Carroll County where he was found
and killed. His slaves were run off, his crops burned and his cattle
slaughtered. His plantation was burned. McIntosh fought valiantly, but
was mortally wounded and driven by fire from his home. After falling,
McIntosh was scalped. His wife Susanna threw herself over his body and
protected it for 3 days until troops arrived and buried McIntosh on the
spot.
Indian Spring Hotel
(also known as the Varner House and the McIntosh House)
The Indian Spring Hotel was built in 1823 as an Inn by Chief William
McIntosh. It was run for McIntosh by his cousin Joel Bailey. In 1825,
a two story addition was built. The addition included the Tavern known
as the Treaty Room and a large ball room above it.
The hotel is unique and extremely significant to the history of the
State of Georgia. It is the only known ante-bellum mineral springs hotel
in Georgia still standing. It's history yields much data on the culture,
society and architecture of Georgia throughtout the 19th century.
The Federal style architecture, hand planed wide boards, wooden pegs and
handmade bricks clearly indicate an early 19th century construction date.
The foundation was made of native stone.
Indians had been coming to the Spring for many decades prior to 1800.
They believed in the medicinal qualities of the water. No permanent
structures were built near the waters due to the fear that crying
children and talking women would scare the "healing spirits" away from
the waters. However, William McIntosh built a cabin here in 1800.
In 1838 the Indian Spring Hotel was the only public house at the Spring.
It appears to have been a reasonably successful establishment that would
have compared favorably with any other in the state. The Inn was gaining
a reputation as Georgia's finest. While the momentous events at the
Indian Spring Hotel in 1825, and the aftermath of the treaty would
certainly be the most outstanding single historical event in the history
of the hotel, the decades from 1840 to 1860 proved to be the heyday of
the hotel.
There is no doubt that by the 1840's, the Indian Spring Hotel with its
resort style architecture (wrap around porches), ballroom, bar, billard
room, and other amenities, had taken on the appearance of a "Springs"
resort much like those found in Virginia and New York.
In 1840, the Democratic-Republican Party held a dinner at the Springs
following a meeting in Milledgeville, Some 10,000 people attended the
dinner, with 5,000 being seated at one time. During this convention,
orators spoke "on the piazza of the Indian Spring Hotel". Political
events, particularly large rallies such as this one, were important
social events in the 19th century.
The Varner family owned the hotel the longest, 103 years (1850-1953).
Miss Joe Varner was very politically active and entertained many
important people at the hotel
By 1900, the Indian Spring Hotel had ended its hotel career. The old
hotel had given Indian Springs the impetus for its early development.
It was Indian Spring's first hotel and for many years its finest. It
had a history unequaled by any other hotel in the state.
In 1953, the hotel was sold to J. H. Elliott, an antique dealer, who
operated it as a museum. In 1974, Mr. Elliott sold the hotel to the
State of Georgia. The state had planned to restore the building, but
gave up the idea when they estimated it would take $300,000 to get the
hotel back in shape. In 1982, the state deeded the property to Butts
County and the county leases it to the Butts County Historical Society
for $1.00 per year.
The society began its restoration work in 1985. Due to some errors in
earlier attempts at restoration, the hotel began to develop structural
problems. Since that time (approximately 10 years ago), the society has
endeavored to correct the problems. The work continues with the help of
donations,grants and fund raisers. Several events are held each year to raise
money for the restoration of the Indian Spring Hotel.
Indian Spring Hotel Formal Garden
The formal garden at the Indian Spring Hotel is a re-creation of those
lost and somewhat rare examples of the resort hotel gardens of the early
19th century. These gardens were a competitive showcase of the newest or
most exotic plants recently introduced into America.
From these once numerous gardens, seeds and cuttings were disbursed
throughout the South by the hotel guests. The society is continuing
this tradition by offering plants, bulbs and seeds for sale in the
Spring. The early 1800's garden contains raised beds of roses, annuals,
perennuals, trees, shrubs and herbs that would have grown in this area
during that time period.The design of the fence, gates, Summerhouse,
flower beds and selection of all plants and roses were made by our
design consultant, Reneau de Beauchamp.
In June 1990, the garden was dedicated to the First Lady of Georgia,
Mrs. Elizabeth Harris. Funding for the garden was made possible by a
friend of Mrs. Harris.
The garden can be rented for weddings during the Spring and Summer
months when it is in full bloom.
The Indian Spring Hotel and Garden is located 50 miles South of Atlanta
or 50 Miles North of Macon off I75, exit 205, follow signs to Indian
Springs State Park. Hotel and Garden are located across the road from
the state park.
The Butts County Historical Society is also responsible for the Indian
Springs Chapel, Circa 1890(formerly known as the Indian Springs Baptist
Church) Located in Indian Springs, Georgia, this beautiful Queen Anne
style structure stands today with virtually few interior and exterior
alterations since it was built in the late 1890's. The Chapel was
constructed from left over lumber milled for the Wigwan Hotel. The Wigwan
was located on the ridge overlooking the mineral spring house at the
Indian Springs State Park. The hotel was built in 1890 and stood until
destroyed by fire in 1921.
The Chapel contains the original kerosene light fixture, colored glass
windows, and brass bell placed with it was built. The bell in the tower
has been tolled practically every Sunday since it was hung. Also
located in the chapel are wooden benches. The benches are much older
than the church and may have been saved from another church that burned,
being torn down or from the church that originally stood on the
property. Recently an old pump organ that sat in the Carmichael House
in Jackson, Ga. for many years was placed in the chapel on loan from Mr. & Mrs. John Herdina of Jackson in honor of Mr. J. R. Carmichael.
As part of the historic restoration of the building, a paint analysis
has been done by a color expert to determine the original colors. The
analysis shows that Ochre was the first coat of paint which was also
the color of the Wigwan Hotel. The church has recently received a new
roof and coat of Ochre paint.
In July of 1992, Mr. Jimmy cornell, Mr. Asa Maddox, Mrs. Tootie
McMichael and members of the Indian Springs Baptist Church voted to
turn the chapel over to the Butts County Historical Society for
preservation.
The chapel is used on Sunday mornings for church services and can also
be rented for weddings. The building has a seating capacity of 75 to
80 people. For more information on renting the chapel contact us at
our email address or call 770-775-3313 or 678-752-9332.
Indian Springs Chapel
Here are some of the pictures from previous
festivals.
Indian Springs Native American Festival held yearly on 2nd weekend in September.
For more info contact
www.pentimento.com
Scottish Festival at Indian Springs Hotel
