Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Local interest


I am finding out a little about our local community history these days. I didn't know that Bethune was home to the "Big Springs Mineral Water Resort" some years ago. Here, a former proprietor explains:


Big Springs water should be used to bathe the affected parts (external) as well as drank [sic]. Recognizing the inability to do this successfully at the home, there (are) now large swimming pools for the pleasure-seekers, where the sick or well can have any kind of a bath needed or wanted. This is something that but few health resorts have, but this Spring, as the name implies, flows over 300 gallons per minute—ample for all needs, with a temperature of 57 degrees. You don’t need ice in this water.


It operated into the 1960's. Now I understand it is on private property. Here's a picture of bathers at the Big Spring's in the early 1900's.


Our county's historical society is going to have a driving tour of Bethune in early March. We plan to attend and learn some local history.

Oremus pro invicem!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jim -- I'm a Hydrologist with the US Geological Survey and I'm working on a ground-water study of Chesterfield County. Do you know the location of Big Spring? It's not labeled on our maps.

Thanks -- Bruce Campbell