Cedartown in Polk County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Big Spring Park

Photographed by David Seibert, September 4, 2010

1. Big Spring Park Marker

Inscription. Asa Prior, born in Virginia about 1785, pioneered into this valley and purchased a large tract of land including this spring and Cedar Creek in 1834. In 1852 he deeded the spring and 10 adjacent acres to the City of Cedartown. Another pioneer, Mr. Walthall, established the Walthall Indian Trading Post near the spring. Peace-loving Cherokees gathered here. Indian young people danced their corn dance under the cedar trees. The Cedar Valley Garden Club beautified this park. A shrine was dedicated to the memory of Sen. William Julius Harris, whose funeral was held in the park, April 21, 1932.

Erected 1956 by Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (Marker Number 115-6.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1750.

Location. 34° 0.876′ N, 85° 15.482′ W. Marker is in Cedartown, Georgia, in Polk County. It is at the intersection of Wissahickon Avenue and Essex Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Wissahickon Avenue. Big Spring Park is now part of the Cedartown Water Works. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cedartown GA 30125, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Mountains. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Trail of Tears Cherokee (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cedartown Water Works, Woman's Building, Big Spring Park Historic District (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hawkes Children's Library (about 700 feet away); Ivy Ledbetter Lee (about 700 feet away); Polk County (approx. 0.2 miles away); Polk County Confederate Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sterling Holloway (approx. 0.2 miles away); Polk County Courthouses (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cedartown.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 4, 2010

2. Big Spring Park Marker

Photographed by David Seibert, September 4, 2010

3. Big Spring Park Marker

Looking west on Wissahickon Avenue, with the park (and marker) on the left

Photographed by David Seibert, September 4, 2010

4. Big Spring Park Marker

The Cedartown Water Works Woman's Building, with the marker just visible on the right.

Cedartown Water Works image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 4, 2010

5. Cedartown Water Works

The Woman's Building, in the Big Spring Park Historic District, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 4, 2010

6. Cedartown Water Works

The marker, and entrance to the park, are on the right.

Sign at Big Spring in Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 4, 2010

7. Sign at Big Spring in Park

The sign cautions potential swimmers that "Snakes are naturally in spring area."

SIgn in Window of Water Works Woman's Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by David Seibert, September 4, 2010

8. SIgn in Window of Water Works Woman's Building

Message in a Bottle #2 Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink. It springs forth from underground, And ends up in your sink. Purity is cherished here, Or the whole town gets sickened. Can you believe I found a word that rhymes with Wissahickon? (The marker, park, and Water Works are on Wissahickon Avenue)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,345 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 16, 2010, by David Seibert of Sandy Springs, Georgia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.