Cleghorn Spring Park Is Becoming A Reality
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The Summerville News
Thursday, May 3, 2001
Work is well underway in the restoration of Cleghorn Spring into a park.
The historic spring, located in Summerville, was the main reason for the location of the county seat at its present site - the abundant supply of water.
According to a recent U.S. Geological Survey dated in 1973 the flow of the spring is .46-million gallons to 2.6-million gallons per day.
Stone work is underway around the spring itself, around the bank above the spring and the spillway is being rocked.
There will be walkways, flowers, tress and native grasses planted when the construction phase has been completed.
The project is funded by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Local Development Fund Grant awarded in Oct. 2000 for $20,000 and the park is expected to open to the public in January, 2002.
A joint application was made for the funds by the City of Summerville and Chattooga County with local matching and in-kind labor.
Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC)
The Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC) is contributing a large portion of the project with labor as well as expertise. Georgia Commissioner of Corrections Jim Wetherington has approved and provided support for the project, according to a Better Hometown spokesman.
Nell Farrar, a spokesperson for the group said, "Warden Bill Tompkins of Hays Prison has taken a great interest in this project and in the importance of the history of the site. He has donated the inmate labor and officer guard duty."
Bob Plemmons, the Community Liaison of Engineering and Construction Services with the Georgia DOC has also been valuable in the project and has provided connections to the services needed to begin the work, Mrs. Farrar added.
Jim Durham, Regional Engineering with the DOC has provided on-site consultation. The DOC has also provided Steve Beard from Winder and Chester Welchel from Jasper as Project Supervisors.
DESIGN
The design of the site was a combination of two plans and is considered a passive recreation and historic park, "a place to recognize the history of the site and to enjoy the beauty of the area," Mrs. Farrar said.
The only parts of the two plans which will not be constructed are a fountain and an amphitheater, because of lack of room.
The two plans were contributed by the Jaeger Co. Landscape Architect and Design Firm, Gainesville and the Better Hometown Program, designed by Mary Chapman, a graduate student at the University of Georgia School of Environmental School of Design.
Also providing assistance are co-managers Nell Farrar and Becky Groce plus Design Committee Chairperson Fran Myers who have provided local input and assistance.
The Chattooga Garden Club donated $2,000 to the park and the Garden Clubs of Georgia has contributed a $2,000 grant to the project for restoration of a historic garden including the return of golden willow trees.
CONSTRUCTION
Construction will continue this spring and summer.
The planting of trees and shrubs will be postponed until fall or winter due to expected dry conditions this summer.
The park is expected to be officially opened to the public in January, 2002.
The grants state the project must be completed in 12 months. The project began in January, 2001.
HISTORY
The history of Cleghorn Spring has been diverse.
"Hundreds of people drive through the intersection of U.S. 27 which is Commerce Street as it crosses First Street in downtown Summerville," Mrs. Farrar said, "They don't recognize the historical significance of the nearby sloping grassy lot and weathered gazebo."
She added, "To passerby, it is not readily evident that significant events occurred on and near this site and that it holds a historic rock structure surrounding one of the most enduring and high volume fresh water springs in the state."
She said with the help of local citizens and the guidance of the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, the site can be redeemed.
Cherokee and Creek Indians were said to have used the spring, long before the site was settled and city built.
"With the coming of white settlers and the land lottery of 1832, the Cherokees moved out of North Georgia and this historic site became the property of John F. Beavers," Mrs. Farrar said, "As the county's largest landowner, Brigadier General Beavers built a magnificent home on the hill overlooking Big Spring, as it was called in 1834.
She continued, "Thus the man deemed 'the Father of Summerville' chose this site on which to build and to live for the next 20 years. Interestingly, his choice also determined the location of present-day Summerville, originally called Selma. Though three sites were being considered for the site of the county seat, the present site was chosen with a great factor being the high volume, fresh water Big Spring. General Beavers sold 90 acres to the Justices of the Inferior Court on March 23, 1839 and offered free use of the spring as a water supply for the new town."
Mrs. Farrar listed a number of historic incidents during the Ware Between the States as Confederate and Union troops passed through Chattoooga County.
Confederate General John Bell Hood brought 20,000 troops through the county in Oct. 1864, followed closely by a reported 100,000 Union troops under the command of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman.
War records indicate Sherman set up field headquarters in Summerville and letters dispatched from the general and dated Oct. 1864, including a letter which changed his strategy to include the destruction of the South - leading to his march to the sea.
"The spring, which was along the main thoroughfare of the town was certainly involved in or a witness to these exciting military events," Mrs. Farrar said.
The last reported skirmish of the war was in Chattooga County on May 5, 1865.
"For the edification and enjoyment of today's youth and future generations, this site should be involved in a comprehensive plan for Chattooga County," Mrs. Farrar said, "With this restoration of this site along with others, visitors would have a destination in Summerville on their journey."
