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All the United States South Carolina Blenheim Blenheim Mineral Springs
Gastro Obscura

Blenheim Mineral Springs

Discovered by a soldier during the Revolutionary War, these springs helped create an iconic South Carolina ginger ale.

Blenheim, South Carolina

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Rebecca S.
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The Blenheim Mineral Spring   Rhiannon83 / Atlas Obscura User
Sign near the Spring telling the story of the springs discovery   Rhiannon83 / Atlas Obscura User
Remnants of the Original Blenheim Bottling Plant   Rhiannon83 / Atlas Obscura User
  rubeodos / Atlas Obscura User
  lastingimpression33 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The year was 1781 and a Patriot soldier by the name of James Spears was fleeing from Tory troops during the American Revolutionary War. According to legend, Spears lost his shoe while trying to escape and went back later to find it in a hole filled with water in Blenheim, South Carolina. He sampled the water and was surprised by the heavy mineral flavor. The springs soon became an attraction, drawing visitors who wanted to try it for themselves.

In the 1890s, Dr. Charles R. May was advising his patients to drink the water from the springs to remedy stomach ailments. After several patients complained about its heavy, iron-like taste, May added Jamaican ginger and sugar to make it more palpable. In 1903, May and a partner began bottling the sweetened, spiced mineral water. Built next to the spring, the Blenheim Bottling Company quickly gained fans with its ginger ale, which offered a unique spicy kick.

After the company changed ownership and the bottling facility burned down in 2008, production of Blenheim ginger ale has moved to an amusement park in Hamer, South Carolina.

Related Tags

Water American Revolution Americana Military

Know Before You Go

To get to the spring, take 38E out of Bennettsville, South Carolina, into Blenheim. Turn left onto East High Street and follow the signs. The ruins of the original Blenheim Bottling plant are adjacent to the spring.

Community Contributors

Added By

Rhiannon83

Edited By

rubeodos, lastingimpression33

  • rubeodos
  • lastingimpression33

Published

December 7, 2018

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Sources
  • http://www.blenheimgingerale.com/about-us/blenheim-history/
  • https://scgreatoutdoors.com/park-blenheimmineralsprings.html
  • https://marlborocounty.sc.gov/history/town-blenheim
Blenheim Mineral Springs
Spring Road, just off of SC #381
Blenheim, South Carolina
United States
34.509991, -79.647561
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Nearby Places

South of the Border

Hamer, South Carolina

miles away

Mars Bluff Crater

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Carolina

South Carolina

United States

Places 102
Stories 15

Nearby Places

South of the Border

Hamer, South Carolina

miles away

Mars Bluff Crater

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Carolina

South Carolina

United States

Places 102
Stories 15

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