Idlewilde
Also known as: Rastello House; Idlewild
Why it's listed
Idlewilde is a two-story frame house built around 1908 at the entrance of Indian Springs State Park in Butts County, Georgia. It follows the New South House form, with a central hall, a projecting front bay, a steeply pitched hipped roof, brick chimneys, beveled glass windows and simple classical wood mantels. Four historic outbuildings and a landscaped yard with a boxwood garden, terraces and stone walls complete the property. Jennie Bryans built the house, and she and her sister Bessie ran it as a boarding house for visitors who came to Indian Springs for its reputedly healing waters. Running a boarding house was a respectable way for single women to earn a living in rural Georgia at the time. Willis and Mrs. Powell later bought the property and kept developing the gardens until 1943. The state of Georgia received the property in 1979, and the house and grounds have since been restored. It is recognized for its architecture, landscape design, resort-era commerce and women's history.
Significance in brief: It is argued to be an excellent, intact and rare example of the New South House type, with intact New South landscaping including a boxwood garden, terracing and stone walls. It was also a boarding house run by sisters Jennie and Bessie Bryans for visitors seeking the healing springs, giving it significance in commerce, health/medicine, recreation and women's history.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 99000293, listed March 12, 1999. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Lake Clark Rd., Indian Springs State Park, Indian Springs |
|---|---|
| County | Butts County |
| Listed | March 12, 1999 |
| Reference number | 99000293 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1908-1943 |
| Architectural style | Other: New South House |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Commerce, Health/Medicine, Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently restored by Indian Springs State Park; now used as a museum within the park. |
| Acreage | 2.7 |
| Coordinates | 33.24758, -83.92309 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 99000293.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q16892601
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.