A small community is the last place you’d expect to attract droves of people, but that was exactly the case with Ramsey Springs back in the 1800s. It all began with the discovery of an artesian spring, which was thought to have curative powers. Before long, an entire resort was built to accommodate the influx of people coming to drink and bathe in the miraculous water. Take a look:
About 20 miles south of Wiggins, you’ll find the Ramsey Springs community.
Woodlot/Wikimedia
Once a sleepy little town, Ramsey Springs was forever changed when Reverend Abner Walker and his brother George came to the area in search of artesian springs on the banks of Red Creek.
Woodlot/Wikimedia The Walker brothers heard about the springs from Native Americans, who said the waters could cure a variety of ailments. Suffering from severe stomach pains, George Walker drank the spring’s water. After doing so, he was cured.
Reverend Walker and George Walker were so impressed with the spring’s curative powers that they begin telling others about it. Word quickly spread, bringing people by the hundreds to Ramsey Springs.
Woodlot/Wikimedia By 1896, a boarding house had been built near the spring to accommodate the influx of travelers.
Eventually, Dr. George McHenry (pictured) and George Bustin took ownership of the spring. The two touted it as a cure for a variety of ailments.
McHenry, Gordon Spencer/Wikimedia In addition stomach ulcers and skin diseases, the water allegedly cured liver and kidney issues, skin disorders, and blood and bowel diseases.
Around 1920, the Ramsey Springs Hotel opened about a ¼-mile from the famous spring.
Forrest Lamar Cooper - Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History/Wikimedia Billed as “rustic,” the 35-room hotel was decorated with pine cones, taxidermy, and wood accents.
Nearly as impressive as the hotel itself, were the grounds, which included a swimming pool.
Forrest Lamar Cooper - Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History/Wikimedia The hotel pool wasn’t filled with just any water, though. It actually contained water from the nearby spring.
The Ramsey Springs Hotel thrived throughout the first part of the 20th century; however, after WWII, its popularity declined drastically. And in 1961, the hotel was demolished.
Woodlot/Wikimedia Pictured above is what’s left of the hotel’s pool.
As for the formerly famous spring, it now sits practically deserted, covered by a dilapidated structure.
Woodlot/Wikimedia It’s hard to believe this is all that’s left of what was once such a popular, travel worthy destination.
So, did you know about this part of Mississippi’s history? Tell us in the comments section.
Woodlot/Wikimedia
The Walker brothers heard about the springs from Native Americans, who said the waters could cure a variety of ailments. Suffering from severe stomach pains, George Walker drank the spring’s water. After doing so, he was cured.
By 1896, a boarding house had been built near the spring to accommodate the influx of travelers.
McHenry, Gordon Spencer/Wikimedia
In addition stomach ulcers and skin diseases, the water allegedly cured liver and kidney issues, skin disorders, and blood and bowel diseases.
Forrest Lamar Cooper - Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History/Wikimedia
Billed as “rustic,” the 35-room hotel was decorated with pine cones, taxidermy, and wood accents.
The hotel pool wasn’t filled with just any water, though. It actually contained water from the nearby spring.
Pictured above is what’s left of the hotel’s pool.
It’s hard to believe this is all that’s left of what was once such a popular, travel worthy destination.
This isn’t the state’s only formerly famous spring. Read about another here.
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Address: Ramsey Springs, MS 39573, USA
