Idlewilde (Indian Springs, Georgia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Idlewilde
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | Lake Clark Rd., Indian Springs State Park, Indian Springs, Georgia |
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| Area | 2.7 acres (1.1 ha) |
| Built | 1908 |
| Architectural style | New South house |
| NRHP reference No. | 99000293 |
| Added to NRHP | March 12, 1999 |
Idlewilde is a special historic building located in Indian Springs State Park in Butts County, Georgia. It was built between 1907 and 1910. This beautiful house was once a popular place for visitors to stay, like a hotel. Today, it serves as the main office for the state park.
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The Story of Idlewilde
Idlewilde has a long and interesting history. It was built by two sisters who were the granddaughters of Robert Grier. He was a well-known astronomer and writer from the 1800s. He even wrote a famous book called the Grier Almanac.
Building a Special Home
The granddaughters of Robert Grier wanted to create a welcoming place. They built Idlewilde and its lovely gardens between 1907 and 1910. It was designed to be a "boarding house." This means it was a place where people could rent a room and get meals, like a bed and breakfast.
A Place for Famous Guests
Idlewilde was a busy boarding house until 1925. Later, a couple named Mr. and Mrs. Willis B. Powell owned the house until 1943. They had many guests, including a very important person: Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was the President of the United States from 1933 to 1945.
Becoming a Park Landmark
After the Powells, Mrs. Linda T. Rastello owned Idlewilde until 1979. Then, the State of Georgia bought the property. Since March 1995, Idlewilde has been used as the main administrative office for Indian Springs State Park. Because of its history, Idlewilde was added to the National Register of Historic Places in March 1999. This list includes important historical places in the United States.
Exploring Indian Springs State Park
Idlewilde is part of the larger Indian Springs State Park. This park is famous for several reasons.
Natural Springs and Historic Buildings
The park gets its name from its natural springs. Native Americans believed these waters had special healing powers. The park also has old stone buildings and walls. These were built by work crews from the CCC during the Great Depression. The CCC was a program started by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help people find jobs during a tough time in history.
Inside Idlewilde Today
Even though Idlewilde is now an office, it still looks much like it did in the past. The building is very well preserved. You can see its beautiful pine floors and special windows with beveled glass. There is also a striking staircase that shows the craftsmanship of the early 1900s.
