I am guessing that you are talking about the White Sulphur Springs in
Greenbrier County in what is now WV. It is called The Greenbrier
now. There were sulphur springs all over the mountains of Virginia
where many of the landed families with wealth spent the summer. For
many good reasons. It was fun. They believed that there were healing
properties in the water. It was a huge social scene in which their
marriageable daughters could meet wealthy young men and vice versa.
And, very importantly, it got their families out of the unhealthy
areas that many lived in in the hot season---am I right that it would
have been malaria....yellow fever...etc that would been a threat in
many of the low lands? And I forgot to mention that the temperature
would be much nicer in the mountains.
I have several books on White Sulphur Springs as well as some pictures
that I have taken over the years. I also have a book on the other
sulphur springs in Virginia in the early days. I, of course, can't
put my hands on either quickly. But I can dig them up if anyone is
interested in names and authors.
The information that pops into my head is that some of the far
southern families would ride via steamboat up the Mississippi and/or
Ohio River to dock at Guyandotte, Va (later WV). They would then take
a stage coach over the James River and Kanawha Road that went from
Lexington, VA to Louisville, Ky via Lexington, KY, Guyandotte,
Charleston, Lewisburg (next door to White Sulphur). The information
on this road is according to Carey Eldridges book: Appalachian Trails
to the Ohio River. One other piece of information pops into my head
is that Henry Clay was a frequent guest at White Sulphur Springs.
There is a story in my family that he would stop in the Teays Valley
area on his trip east from Lexington, Ky area at the home of an
ancestor of mine.
Couldn't help but comment as I have been going to the Greenbrier for
many years and will be making a trip there next month. Because I am
very interested in all sorts of history, I have had some fun with the
historical information. There is a room on the main floor close to
the dining room---it might be called the WV room....can't remember.
There is a mural in the room that depicts the early days of the
resort. I have photos of the mural if anyone is really interested.
Marsha Moses
On May 24, 2010, at 10:26 AM, Peggy and Keith dixon wrote:
> We did have rail service but the Greenbrier was built because of the
> sulphur waters that were suppose to have healing properities. There
> were other resorts in this area support the same cause. We have
> Blue, Green, and I believe Yellow Sulphur where the rich would come
> to bath in there waters.
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Janice <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: Sat, May 22, 2010 10:27:00 AM
> Subject: Re: Ancestry Family Trees
>
> Could Greenbriar have been the Niagara Falls of its' day? If the
> area were close to a stage or rail line, travel to the resort would
> be relatively simple even if not particularly inexpensive.
>
> Janice
>
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