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Shannondale and Beyond Presents: Shannondale Springs. First, a Warning. This is NOT a History lesson. I am NOT a Historian This is merely an introduction to one of Jefferson County’s long forgotten and recently re-discovered historic treasures. The Antebellum Years. Ca 1819-1858.
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Shannondale and Beyond Presents: Shannondale Springs
First, a Warning This isNOTa History lesson. I amNOTa Historian This is merely an introduction to one of Jefferson County’s long forgotten and recently re-discovered historic treasures
The Antebellum Years Ca 1819-1858
The Earliest Depiction of … …the resort ca 1819, a watercolor view from the western banks of the Shenandoah.
High Blood Pressure Rheumatism Auto Intoxication Kidney Conditions Albumenuria Pustula Eczema Acne Bulgaris Neurasthenia Nervous Disorders Constipation Arthritis Chronic Dyspepsia Liver Troubles Furred Tongue Loss of Appetite General Debility Depression Gout Heart Troubles Dropsy Dyspepsia All Digestive Troubles Around 1821 Dr. DeButts was introduced to the Springs and he declared the waters cured, among other ailments:
Not surprisingly, the resort grew with great rapidity
TheRealReason Folks Felt Better at the Springs: To escape from the swampland and oppressive heat of the Coast And the Added Benefits!! No Yellow Fever No Cholera No Typhus
In Its Heyday As many As13U.S. Presidents Visited Monroe Van Buren Fillmore Pierce Polk Five(6 if you include Geo.Washingtonwho surveyed our areaas a youth) are documented with varying measures of certainty. A son of PresidentTylermay have drowned in the Shenandoah off the Springs and it’s possibleJefferson,Madison,Jackson, Hayes, GarfieldandArthurmay have been occasional guests in their times.
Many notables visited the resort in antebellum times. Among them were politicians, business moguls, devotees of the arts and even authors of potboiler romance novels
Three Words of Explanation about the Following Scenes: Let’s Play Pretend !!
One of two Presidential Cottages Two Anglers Waiting to Wet a Hook
And the Famous Health Regimen 6:00AM- Arise and throw your cloak on your shoulders, visit the spring, take a small tumbler of water, move about in a brisk walk 7:00AM-Drink another tumbler of water 7:30AM-And take another drink 8:00AM-Breakfast (Don’t ask)–After breakfast,if you can command a carriage, take a drive, otherwise take a slow ride on horse-back until 10
10:00- 12:00AM-enjoy yourself in conversation or other mode most agreeable to you-eat no luncheon 12:00Noon- Another tumbler of water 12:00-1PM-take exercise at ten pins, quoits, or billiards 1:00PM- And, you guessed it, another tumbler of water 2:00-5- Dine and amuse yourself in social intercourse until 5
We’re Feeling Better Already!! 5:00PM-Take a drive, ride, or walk until 6 6:00PM- Gulp, drink another glass of the “magic” water and exercise till 7 7:00PM-Take a cracker and a cup of black tea. If you are a dancer, you may enjoy it, but in moderation, until 9 9:00PM-quaff a glass of water from the spring, and retire to your room.
For the less healthfully inclined,There were other pastimes provided.There was horseracing, jousting, a large gambling casino, a 100 foot long bar, music for terpsichorean delight and all manner of other diversions. In modern parlance, Shannondale Springs: the “IN” place to be!
An Indication of Renown Staffordshire China was likely used as tableware during the resort’s heyday.
As late as 1856, improvements to the Springs were an ongoing affair. The poster at the right is an example of the treasures we hope to uncover by publicizing our once world renown resort. It was found folded in a bible owned by the family of a free black ferryman, Lawson Goins, in 2004
Fate Curtails Success From the Virginia Free Press, March 25, 1858 FIRE AT SHANNONDALE SPRINGS “We regret to record the destruction of the large and commodious Hotel buildings at Shannondale Springs which occurred on Saturday morning last. The fire originated from a burning chimney, and so rapid was its progress, that all efforts to stay its course were unavailing. “The entire buildings … all now lie a mass of smouldering ruins.”
No photos exist but the fire at the old building must have looked similar to the one at Shannondale Club in 2003. Thehalcyondaysof Shannondale Springs were over
Intermezzo 1858-1888
What If… The Greenbrier …major historical events hadn’t intervened and the Springs had been rebuilt? But …. Those are big words, “What,If &But” !
BUT, in 1859… …John Brown Led the Raid on Harpers Ferry
And in 1861… …America’s Bloody Civil War Erupted
S’dale Springs Role in the Civil War Remains Sketchy at Present. Col. John Mosby, the Gray Ghost, fought skirmishes near the Resort. Records report a NY infantry unit captured several prisoners at S’dale Springs in 1862. Mosby’s Raiders are rumored to have used the area as a “hideout” on occasion. We hope to uncover more information in the future.
After the War, Interest in Rebuilding Remained Elusive The property was used for picnicking, holiday celebrations, day trips, church outings and similar adventures by locals.
For years The Spa Was: In 1880’s there still were several buildings extant including the “Presidential Cottages”, Bathhouses, and farm buildings. All that remained of the Grand Hotel were a few walls that had survived the destruction of the fire.
The Second Incarnation of: 1888-1909
By the Late 1880’s... ...the economy improved and the property was acquired in 1888 by investors who rebuilt the hotel and improved the resort’s amenities. And in 1890…
...The New Hotel Was Completed! At the opening dance in July, the only criticism was the female to male ratio was 3:1
CTM&M Co.’s boom went bust and H.C. Getzendanner bought the property at auction for $9055. Financing had been linked to the Charlestown Mining and Manufacturing Company
In 1903 the resort opened with modern conveniences!! Electric fans Bathrooms Telephones Golf Tennis Boating Swimming Bathing Fishing Stables and, of course, that “MAGIC WATER”!
Hotel #2 Was Built over the Old... ...hotel’s foundation. Not as grand as its predecessor, it was still a commodious building, 100’x30’ with porches, 2 floors a basement and attic.
Concern about Morals Dictated... ...”no bar for the sale of spirituous liquors...” be present on the premises.
Room&Board-$2/day or $8-10/wk ! Sadly, Mr. Getzendanner lacked diverse revenue resources of the antebellum owners. The Spa struggled despite his best efforts. AND…
…Dejà Vu All Over Again (Y. Berra) The Resort’s 2nd incarnation was cut short by a fire (reportedly of suspicious origin) in 1909. Shannondale Springs began a slide into obscurity