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All the United States Florida White Springs White Sulfur Springs Ruins

White Sulfur Springs Ruins

The abandoned bathhouse is all that remains of the hot springs considered Florida's original tourist attraction.

White Springs, Florida

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Rachel M
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The bathhouse on the Suwanee River.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
The top floor of the abandoned bathhouse.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
The White Springs bathhouse in its heyday, circa 1912.   Florida Memory
The remains of the bathhouse in White Springs.   Ebyabe
Information on the White Sulfur Springs.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
“Florida’s First Tourist Attraction”   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
  breaingram / Atlas Obscura User
  ironraygun / Atlas Obscura User
  timelesscreations / Atlas Obscura User
Bathhouse interior pool area.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
The wall of the bathhouse, built from local coquina.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
The interior of the bathhouse and the remains of gate.   Mom0ja / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Billed as "Florida's Original Tourist Destination," White Sulfur Springs was originally a sacred meeting ground for the Apalachee and Timucuan tribes. Believing that the sulfuric water had medicinal powers, the opposing tribes agreed to set aside their conflicts to drink and bathe in the mineral water without fear of attacks.

In 1835, after purchasing land along the Suwanee River, Bryant and Elizabeth Sheffield discovered the spring. Despite the fact that the sulfur-laden spring water stunk of rotten eggs, Mr. Sheffield claimed that upon drinking it his nerves were calmed, his kidney troubles appeased, and his rheumatism cured.

The Sheffields built a hotel and a bathhouse and marketed the White Sulfur Springs as a cure-all health spa. Guests seeking treatment for everything from rashes to cancer arrived via the Suwannee River ferry. By the late 19th century the town had 14 luxury hotels and numerous boarding houses to accommodate the visitors, including some famous visitors such as Teddy Roosevelt and Henry Ford.

In 1908, the simple wooden bathhouse was upgraded to a four-story building with dressing rooms, examination and treatment rooms, and a concession stand. The circular balconies surrounded a 20 x 30-foot bathing pool cut from solid rock, where the waters maintained a temperature of 72˚F.  A large concrete gate kept the cold waters of the river from mixing with the spring water. 

By the 1930s, the popularity of the resort had dwindled.  The spring, which once flowed at a rate of about 47 million gallons a day, dried up in 1990. Despite infrequent flooding from heavy rain, it appears the sulfur waters are gone for good. Visitors to the area today can view the ruins of the old coquina bathhouse, which still stands as a reminder of White Springs' days as Florida's first tourist attraction.

Related Tags

Hot Springs Water Abandoned Ruins Health Resorts Tourism

Know Before You Go

Located on the river side of US 41 in the town of White Springs, Florida, near the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park. If the water level is low, you can go into the bathhouse ruins to look at the bathing pool. Use caution if water levels are high, and view the spring from the top of the structure.

Community Contributors

Added By

Mom0ja

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Molly McBride Jacobson, breaingram, timelesscreations, ironraygun

  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • breaingram
  • timelesscreations
  • ironraygun

Published

April 20, 2017

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Sources
  • https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/44756
  • http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/blog/ncrc/2013/03/28/heritage-site-of-the-month-white-springs/
  • http://www.suwanneedemocrat.com/archives/the-springs-are-running-in-white-springs-the-odor-is/article_934088cc-a99f-5e8e-baaf-c04074ccbe81.html
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Springs,_Florida
White Sulfur Springs Ruins
White Springs, Florida
United States
30.329949, -82.760665

Nearby Places

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

White Springs, Florida

miles away

Suwanee Springs Bridge (The Bridge to Nowhere)

Live Oak, Florida

miles away

Falmouth Springs

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of White Springs

White Springs

Florida

Places 2

Nearby Places

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

White Springs, Florida

miles away

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miles away

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Falmouth, Florida

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of White Springs

White Springs

Florida

Places 2

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