Nestled in Broomtown Valley along the eastern slopes of Lookout Mountain, the Chelsea community has a history that stretches back to the early settlement of western Chattooga County. Although never incorporated as a town, Chelsea was once home to its own school, post office, church and railroad passenger stop. The community also holds a special place in the history of Southern folk art through its association with the Reverend Howard Finster, who served as pastor of Chelsea Baptist Church long before becoming an internationally recognized artist.
While Chelsea has changed considerably over the generations, its history can still be traced through the families who settled there, the railroad that connected it to neighboring communities, and the church that remains one of its most recognizable landmarks.