Prior to its use by the Whites, the route was an Indian trading path to Augusta. This thoroughfare became the earliest vehicular way of northwest Georgia, the first postal route of this section, and an important emigrant trace to the West. In the early 1850's Ringgold was a bigger market than Chattanooga and large quantities of wheat were shipped from this depot. Built in 1849 of local sandstone, with walls 14 inches thick, the building was badly damaged by Hooker's guns during the Battle of Ringgold, November 27, 1863. It was, as may be seen repaired with limestone blocks.
Blood stains are still visible on the floor.
It remained a Presbyterian Church until about 1920 when it was sold to a Methodist congregation which maintained it for some years. It then passed into private hands and to save it from destruction a group of descendants of the early members raised a fund and purchased it, deeding it to a board of trustees to be used for religious purposes. In recent years it has been used by various denominations. This house of handmade brick was built about 1863 by Mr. William L. Whitman, prominent merchant of Ringgold. After the Battle of Ringgold General U. S. Grant established his headquarters here.