Tucked beneath a canopy of live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, Radium Springs Gardens is one of Georgia’s Seven Natural Wonders. Georgia’s largest natural spring pumps thousands of gallons of water a minute from an underground cave.
Radium Springs Casino
The Muscogee Creek Nation called the spring “Skywater” because they believed the sacred water had dropped from the sky. European settlers called it “Blue Springs” due to its clear, cool waters. In the 1920s, tests found trace amounts of naturally occurring radium in the water, which inspired the change to Radium Springs. At the time, radium was considered a cure for many ailments.
By 1927, investors opened Radium Springs Casino which despite its name did not offer gambling. It was a resort complete with a grand dining hall and ballroom, a bathhouse, a manicured golf course, and swimming areas for visitors seeking “health-restoring” waters.
Floods from the Flint River in 1994 and 1998 destroyed the historic structure. Rather than rebuilding the resort, Dougherty County transformed the grounds into a public botanical garden, preserving the original stone terraces, columns, and courtyards.
Drought conditions led to low water levels during our visit, making it hard to see the spring’s signature blue color.
Educational signs throughout the park share the resort’s history and information about the spring.
Wildlife
The wetlands and canopy act as a sanctuary for wading birds, birds of prey, woodpeckers, and songbirds. Near the terraces for the spring, little blue herons and white ibises wandered in the water.
From the observation deck near the parking area, we enjoyed views of Radium Creek between the trees and wood storks in the canopy.
Whether you are drawn by its Jazz Age history, the walking paths, or a chance to spot local wildlife, Radium Springs Gardens is a memorable stop in southern Georgia.