Established in 1838–39 by the Cave Spring Baptist Church, the Manual Labor School taught boys farming and trades on a 680-acre property.

Renamed Lott Hearn Manual Labor School in 1856, it became Hearn Academy in 1903. The present 1910 classroom building (pictured here) replaced the original structure after it was destroyed by fire, operating from 1910 to 1925. The nearby c. 1912 Hearn Inn served as the school's dormitory. Today, Rolater Park is all that remains of the original campus. This is one of over 50 sites on our Fall Ramble to Rome and Floyd County, September 25-27. More details and tickets are available at: https://www.georgiatrust.org/tours-events/fall-ramble/ 📅September 25-27, 2026 📍Rome and Floyd County 🎟️georgiatrust.org