Indian Springs Chapel in Butts County began as a log Baptist church in 1825 and was replaced by a frame building in 1854. The current sanctuary, built in 1890, is a beautiful example of late 19th-century Queen Anne craftsmanship. Remarkably, it was constructed using leftover lumber and materials from the famous Wigwam Hotel, a four-story Victorian structure once considered one of the largest frame buildings in the world.

The history of Indian Springs reaches back centuries. Home to members of the Creek Nation, the site was well known by 1717 for its sulfur spring, valued by Native Americans for its healing properties. Architect Richard L. Thornton describes the Indian Springs Aquifer as a natural formation where Big Sandy Creek bursts from rock at an elevation of 1,200 feet—higher than downtown Atlanta—creating an ecosystem similar to the Blue Ridge foothills.

To understand Indian Springs, it’s important to consider Georgia’s early 19th-century history. Conflict with the Creek Nation was constant as state and federal authorities pushed westward, acquiring land through a series of treaties: in 1790, land between the Ogeechee and Oconee Rivers; in 1804, between the Oconee and Ocmulgee; and in 1821, the first Treaty of Indian Springs, ceding land between the Ocmulgee and Flint Rivers. Chief William McIntosh, a Lower Creek leader, signed the 1821 treaty and acquired land around the springs, building the Indian Springs Hotel in 1823 (still standing and restored today).

In 1825, McIntosh signed a second treaty, ceding the last Creek lands in Georgia. Creek leadership declared the treaty unauthorized and sentenced him to death. On April 29, Chief Menewa led 200 warriors to McIntosh’s plantation in present-day Carroll County, killing him and burning his home.

With the land opened to settlers, Georgia set aside lots around the springs as a public recreation area, making Indian Springs the oldest state-owned recreation site in the U.S. The railroad brought visitors, and by the late 19th century, resort hotels—including some with 700 rooms—drew travelers from across the country.

Today, Indian Springs Chapel remains active, and Indian Springs State Park offers visitors a rare blend of natural beauty and layered history. Thanks to the Butts County Historical Society, this historic chapel and its cemetery continue to be preserved for future generations.