Sonoma County CA Archives History - Books .....Mineral Springs 1877 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com February 24, 2006, 4:58 pm Book Title: Historical And Descriptive Sketch Of Sonoma County, California MINERAL SPRINGS. SKAGGS' SPRINGS are next in importance and popularity to the Geysers, and are crowded annually by those in quest of health or pleasure from all parts of the Pacific coast. These springs are situated at the head of Dry Creek valley, about eight miles west of the depot of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad at Geyserville. The land upon which they are located was entered in 1856 by William Skaggs, A. Skaggs, and William and John Knight, as a grazing ranch. In the spring of 1857 A. Skaggs bought out his partners, and has since continued sole proprietor. There are a number of hot sulphur springs at Skaggs' of delicious temperature for bathing. There is also a cold soda and iron spring, a valuable tonic for invalids, but the luxurious baths, which seem to recreate one anew, are the chief attractions of the place. The first regular visitors to Skaggs' came in 1860, the number increased until 1864, when it became apparent that the medicinal properties of the water were fast extending its reputation, and would justify an outlay for permanent improvements, which were at once commenced. The house was open for the reception of guests in 1864 by A. Skaggs; he rented the place in 1867 and resumed control in 1868. In 1869 and 1870 the house was leased by John Leonard, and in 1871 by B. F. Tucker. Perry Emmerson kept it in 1872-73, and since that time the springs have been under the management of Mr. Skaggs himself. A large sum of money has been expended by the proprietor. There are good accommodations for at least three hundred persons in the hotels and the cottages which surround it. There are elegant walks and drives about the grounds, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is the most popular place of resort for families north of the bay of San Francisco. The largest number of guests the first year the springs were opened, on any one day, did not exceed twenty; now as many as three hundred have registered in a day, and for the season they may be counted by the thousands. The location of the springs will be seen on the accompaning map. To reach Skaggs', passengers may leave San Francisco any day by the morning or evening boat, and in three hours, by steamer and car, arrive at Geyserville, when an ele gant four-horse stage awaits the cars. From Geyserville the distance over a beautiful road to the springs is but eight mile*, just long enough to give a real zest to the bath, which comes always first and last in order. These justly popular springs grow in reputation every year because they have real merit, and the proprietor does all that can be done for the comfort and pleasure of his numerous patrons. LITTON SPRINGS are located four miles from Healdsburg, on the line of the railroad. They were improved about two years ago by Captain Litton, the owner, at an expense of $80,000. There U a very handsome hotel and a number of cottages. The water is an agreeable seltzer, and is bottled and sold in considerable quantities. When better known, no doubt Litton will become a favorite place of resort. We have not heard who has charge of the hotel for this season. These springs may be reached any day by the regular trains of the San Francisco and .North Pacific Railroad. THE MARK WEST SPRINGS are situated on Mark West creek, about nine miles from Santa Rosa; they are beautifully located in a bend of the creek which forms a romantic little dell surrounded by chapparal hills. These hills during the season display colors as rich as the mountain heather, which has been celebrated in the old country in song and story. It is not overdrawing the picture to say that iu mid-summer the little valley in which the springs are located, glows like an emerald set about with opals. The chief attraction of this spring is its sulphur bath. They are owned by Judge A. P. Overton, of Santa Rosa, and are leased by Mr. Simpson, an experienced popular landlord. Their nearness to Santa Rosa, and the excellence of the baths will always make Mark West springs a favorite and fashionable place of summer resort. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS are situated two miles and a half from Santa Rosa, under the Cotate peak, which overlooks the city. They are owned by John Taylor, and are leased by Mr. Hughes. The place is well improved; the water holds in solution sulphur, soda, magnesia, and iron, and is considered very healing for many of the ills that flesh is heir to. There are also a number of well-tilted bath-rooms supplied with hot and cold mineral water. It is a favorite drive from Santa Rosa to the springs, and they are also patronized by many from abroad. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, BY ROBERT A. THOMPSON, EDITOR OF "THE SONOMA DEMOCRAT." PHILADELPHIA: L. H. EVERTS & CO. 1877. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sonoma/history/1877/historic/minerals318nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/cafiles/ File size: 5.5 Kb