HISTORIC OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Subject: Seneca's Mineral Springs Version 1.0, 12-Jan-2003, H-29.txt **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.usgwtombstones.org/southcarolina/oconee.html **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Jan-2003 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Jan-2003 HISTORY WRITE-UP : John Moore, Journal-Tribune Newspaper in Mar-1966 SENECA - The passing of a few years often can blot from memory some of life's most cherished moments, along with a few ages of its colorful history, as well. For instance, how many 0conee residents would remember the all but fabulous notoriety once associated with "Mineral Springs"-or even remember Mineral Springs, for that matter? In a secluded little nook, almost in the very heart of a busy Seneca area, a faint vestige of the once popular Mineral Springs is still to be found-overgrown with weeds and rubble, to be sure, but without question still offering its connecting link with a forgotten era. MINERAL SPRINGS - (actually there were two of them) has an interesting past all of its own. In the early days of Seneca, when the railroads first came, and there was little to be offered in the way of public entertainment, this quaint little spot was considered to be a prominent part of the town's social activities. Originally, the Springs were easily accessible, and were situated in a picturesque little ravine to the west of town proper, adjoining what is now the Gignilliat Estate. The old Keowee Hotel was only about half a mile away, and stood at the end of a long boardwalk, slightly below the present site of Bergen's Store. It was here that tourists, sightseers and "drummers" gathered, along with an intermingling of local residents - and it was a popular custom for these groups to take a well-beaten path of a Sunday afternoon for a carefree stroll down to the Springs. In those days, the Keowee Hotel was a kind of "wilderness outpost" for wealthy Charlestonians who came up on vacation.