Cave Spring, named after the picturesque mineral spring emanating from a limestone cave, was established in 1832 as a health resort. In 1846, the Georgia Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb (later the Georgia School for the Deaf) opened in Cave Spring and is still in operation today. Temporarily closed in 1862-1867 due to the Civil War, the school’s Fannin Hall was used as a hospital by both Confederate and Federal forces. Confederate General John B. Hood met with his superior, General P.G.T. Beauregard, in Cave Spring for a conference on October 9, 1864, to discuss Hood’s plan for the invasion of Tennessee. Today, Fannin Hall serves as the Cave Spring city offices.