Rich with history, Louisiana is and was home to a few of the most intriguing natural springs in the country. With natural springs found well before the Civil War
and some being names for present-day cities, natural springs in Louisiana are a true gem! After the Civil War, numerous areas with natural mineral water were vibrant resort towns. This attracted people from Louisiana and beyond to come to Louisiana in search
of cures for their ailments. Modern way of lives have actually led to many springs being forgotten and, as an outcome, overgrown. We’ll share all the natural springs in Louisiana we don’t want to see forgotten.
Keep checking out to learn more about 9 memorable natural springs in Louisiana!
Northern Louisiana 1. Elgin Spring Antioch Elgin Spring is an artesian spring located in Antioch, Louisiana– an unincorporated community in Jackson Parish. The neighborhood is normally related to Farmersville, Louisiana. This spring is the northern area of the state’s only groundwater source. Artesian springs are distinct due to the fact that they require groundwater to the surface area by layers of rock surrounding the aquifer without the assistance of a pump like other springs often have. Residents come to the spring to gather drinking water at this natural spring in Louisiana. It is an open-running spring connected to the Sparta Aquifer and covers the majority of Northern Louisiana. The spring is beside busy Highway 2, and visitors ought to park in a cleared area off the highway
This is likewise a popular location for Geocaching– an enjoyable leisure activity where players leave hide-and-seek containers at particular coordinates to be discovered by others in their online neighborhood.
An artesian spring. Central Louisiana 2. Kisatchie National Park Provencal Central Louisiana residents declare the unnamed natural spring at Kisatchie National Forest has the best drinking water in the state. The forest is a popular location to camp, walking, horseback trip, and participate in other leisure activities, and discovering this unique spring isn’t hard. This natural spring in Louisiana is located off Forest Road 380 in Provencal. You’ll quickly identify the spring because water constantly flows from 2 pipelines placed into the hill. The water source is behind the hill, where you’ll find a brief hiking course. Neighboring is a popular location for dispersed camping because campers can easily get water from the natural spring. Locals and campers from the surrounding campgrounds likewise enjoy hiking to the spring to consume the water.
3. Hot Wells Resort
Alexandria
All of it began in the mid-1900s when workers were drilling for oil in the west woods of Alexandria, Louisiana, and rather of discovering oil, they discovered an underground spring. The spring was called after the hot mineral water it produces.
The spring ended up being known for its ability to clean up skin problems for an individual who was unable to discover other treatments that would work.
Word spread about the wonderful recovery powers of this natural spring in Louisiana, and the spring grew in popularity throughout the state. Hotels and a swimming pool were established, and visitors originated from all over to experience the recovery waters.
Today, just a couple of weathered-down buildings remain around the closed water wells. The Hot Wells Resort closed its doors in 1986, though its memory is still alive in the town of Alexandria.
Must you try to check out Hot Wells Resort now, you’re most likely to experience a ghost town. The old structures from the resort were taken apart in 2006 and the wells were capped. A three-unit apartment building sits in the area of the old Hot Wells Resort.
In 2017, the land was acquired by brand-new owners and conversations of renewing the wonderful resort occurred, however, there was a conflict over who owned the underground waters. No updates have actually been made since, however we can constantly hope!
4. White Sulphur Spring
LaSalle Parish
A story comparable to Hot Wells Resort– in the mid-1800s, a sulfur spring was discovered by Joseph P. Ward 10 miles southwest of the small town of Jena, Louisiana.
Regardless of its rotten egg odor (a widely known characteristic of sulfur springs), the landmark was a popular traveler attraction before the Civil War due to its supposed healing powers. The resort was understood for its parties, fine white wines, dancing, live music, and gambling,
There were hotels, a post office, and other structures surrounding this Louisiana natural spring. After the Civil War, video gaming was replaced by family-friendly activities.
The resort’s last owner turned the day spa into a searching and fishing resort because he didn’t like drinking. Everything was closed down after an inspector found infected water in the spring in the early 1900s.
This Louisiana natural spring’s only remnants are a shallow swimming pool near a small gazebo (built in 1916 and restored in 1976), picnic tables, and a roadside park.
If you pick to visit the site of this historical Louisiana natural spring, you’ll still smell the foul, rotten egg odor, and you’ll see an indication marking the area of the never-forgotten resort.
5. Belle Cheney Springs
Evangeline Parish
Another central Louisiana historical resort site, formerly referred to as Sarasota Springs, Belle Cheney Springs (in some cases spelled Chaney) was among the state’s most applauded resorts. The cold natural springs in Louisiana lay northwest of Turkey Creek.
The area’s oldest locals still remember the resort, which was thought– like many other historic natural springs in Louisiana– to have treating powers. Individuals would travel from New York to shower in the water and have household picnics.
The resort was purchased in 1853 and marketed as a resort that would include sparkling water, live music, and ballroom dances two times a week. Visitors would take the Texas and Pacific or Morgan Railway to come to this natural spring in Louisiana.
As the turn of the twentieth century came, the resort started to battle, and new owners tried to restore the resort, but sadly, absolutely nothing came of their efforts.
Regretfully, the Louisiana natural spring is dried up and overgrown with lawn in the piney woods of northwest Turkey Creek. If you decide to search for the historical natural spring, we suggest finding a regional who understands the location to reveal you where the old spring lies.
Southern Louisiana
6. Krotz Springs
Krotz Springs
The spring that motivated its town’s name, Krotz Springs, was discovered when Colonel Charles W. Krotz started drilling for oil in 1900. At 2,400 feet, he discovered an artesian well with strong pressure instead of oil.
Colonel Kotz bottled the water and boasted that Kotz Spring was “The coming health resort of the South.” He formed the Krotz Springs Mineral Water Company to market his artesian water, declaring the water ailed stomach, kidney, and bowel trouble.
He also declared it might treat rheumatism, would liquify gallstones, and was a cure for malaria. He touted it as “the finest bathing water worldwide.”
A 1907 short article in the St. Landry Clarion paper claimed, “It tastes like the ‘early morning after’ when you initially get it.” At that time, the water was only sold by the pint, but it would later be offered in smaller bottles. By 1910, the water was offered in several shops throughout the country.
The town grew, and Colonel Krotz took excellent pride in his town’s spring water.
Although Colonel Krotz envisioned the town to become a resort town, it was not implied to occur. The town continued to develop and would include a school, Colonel Kotz struggled to see success in his service undertakings.
The town of Krotz Springs is found on the banks of the Atchafalaya River. Although the actual website of the initial Louisiana natural spring water is not significant, the Atchafalaya National Wildlife Haven is a popular location to go to due to the fact that it becomes part of The United States and Canada’s biggest freshwater overload system.
7. Tilly Springs
Beauregard Parish
A small natural spring in Louisiana off Don Plush Road in between DeRidder and Merryville, Tilly Springs sits 157 feet above sea level. This natural spring is known for being an excellent fishing spot, and anglers report capturing largemouth and spotted bass at it.
Residents also like to gather drinking water from the spring, but no extra details is available.
8. Abita Springs Abita Springs The town of Abita Springs is a residential area of New Orleans and was home
to Native Americans as far back as 2,200 years earlier. The location was known for its fishing and natural spring water that made life in this area comfortable. Early leaders made this natural spring in Louisiana their home. Extensive screening was done on the water in
1887, revealing the sparkling water had plenty of minerals with medical properties. Abita Springs Hotel is freshly refurbished and the only present-day functioning resort staying. A small personal spring-fed swimming pool sits in the pool that comes out at 5 gallons a minute. Today, water is drawn from a deep aquifer in Southern Hills and some
areas lie 3,000 feet deep. The Abita Beer Brewing Company sources the water utilized in their beverages from here. Visitors to Abita Springs can also access the Louisiana natural spring water from a fountain in the town’s center, located beside a main roundabout on LA 36 beside a gazebo.
9. Denham Springs
Denham Springs
Established in 1826, this residential area of Baton Rouge’s mineral springs were discovered in the late 1700s near the Amite River, about one-half mile west of the present-day Downtown Antique District.
It would be years before the apparently therapeutic mineral waters would bring in tourists looking for remedies to various illnesses.
The city was a Confederate supply center in the Civil War. After the war, Denham Springs began several plantations and added a health spa together with other organizations. In the early 20th century, the town was best known for its mineral springs.
Denham Springs has actually experienced considerable growth in recent years due to the fact that of an increase in suburbanization, though it takes pride in its abundant history.
The city has a Historic District and a mural at the Old City Hall portrays among the hotels surrounding the springs in the 1800s (that, unfortunately, burned down throughout the Civil War).
In 2018, the mayor of Denham Springs revealed interest in rejuvenating the old natural springs in Louisiana and asked an LSU teacher, Douglas Carlson, for support. The Supporter did a story in 2022 about the professor’s findings.
Carlson was able to find five springs or seeps in the city’s Spring Park. A historical dig would need to be carried out to definitively determine where the old wells were located– and this would likely cost a number of countless dollars.
Wrapping up the Notable Natural Springs in Louisiana
< img width="1024" height="683" src="https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/shutterstock_188695628-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/shutterstock_188695628-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/shutterstock_188695628-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/shutterstock_188695628-960x640.jpg 960w, https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/shutterstock_188695628-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https://www.beyondthetent.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/shutterstock_188695628.jpg 1200w" alt="Water droplets from a bubbling natural spring."/ > An Natural springs in Louisiana were when the talk of the town, and we’re hoping this post will trigger some conversations about
these once-famed recovery waters. Although you might not be able to physically see all the waters, going to the websites and towns of their areas is a great method for more information about them from locals.
Searching for more enjoyable things to do in this state? See 19 of the very best places to go outdoor camping in Louisiana.
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Nicole Kinkade matured in camping sites in the Midwest with her household in their recreational vehicle and has many fond memories around the campfire. She and her spouse took numerous camping tent camping journeys at the start of their relationship, and she eagerly anticipates sharing the outdoors with her young son as he grows older.
She likes discovering new camping strategies and sharing them with the world. With a bachelor’s degree in Service Administration and Media Interaction, she is a passionate author who loves sharing her knowledge online.
Nicole can be reached at nicolek.author@gmail.com!.?.! https://www.vanicolekinkade.com/ Abundant with history, Louisiana is and was home to some of the most interesting natural springs in the country. Keep checking out to find out about nine memorable natural springs in Louisiana!