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March 26, 2012

White Sulphur Spring whets its palate

Joyce Marie Taylor Suwannee Democrat

Jasper — The sounds of the tannic acid water of the Suwannee River as it rushed into the spring house at White Sulpher Spring on Saturday, March 17 was bigger than its bite. The roar of the water was loud, but the recent rains barely made a difference in the dried up spring, as the river water meandered into the lower-most opening of the spring house.

In the 1800s this particular sulphur spring in the town of White Springs was promoted as a cure for just about any ailment and visitors came from miles away to soak in the healing waters. After a log hotel was built beside the spring it became a popular health resort and one of Florida's first tourist destinations.

In the late 1800s, 14 luxury hotels, as well as other boarding houses in the area, accommodated all the visitors who arrived by special excursion train.

Records show that in 1906 the spring was enclosed with gates and a high coquina (sedimentary rock) and concrete wall to keep the river out. A four-tiered building on either side of the spring contained shops, dressing rooms, and clinical examination rooms. Among the resort's famous visitors up until the 1950s were Henry Ford and Teddy Roosevelt.

The spring has been dry for the most part, however, since the 80s and is in even more danger as the Suwannee region deals with its vanishing water supply.

To view a video of the water rushing into the spring, visit our website at nflaonline.com and search “White Sulphur Spring”.

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