 White Sulphur Springs click on title for larger image |
"This celebrated watering place is situated in Greenbrier County, on the western side of the Alleghany, in an extensive and lovely valley. The beauty of its location, the medicinal virtues of its waters, and its enlarged accommodations, have conferred upon it the title of 'The Queen of Springs,' in the Mountains of Virginia; and hundreds flock to it every season from all sections of the Union.
The pool in which the Spring rises is an octagon about five feet diameter, and nearly five feet deep, and is covered by a Pavilion supported by twelve columns. Great improvements have been made by the new Company within the last twelve months. Many of the cabins have been removed, and magnificent buildings and handsome cottages have been erected in their stead. The Hotel is the largest in the mountains. The first floor contains the office, reception rooms, a dining room sufficient in dimensions to seat 1,000 persons, a ball room sixty feet square, and other smaller rooms. The second and third floors are for visitors.MORE |
The Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs was and still is the most elegant of the spas and attracted guests from Europe as well as the United States. Located in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, it survived while most others disappeared- it suffered no Civil War damage, was convenient to railroads, and diversified its offerings and activities. In addition to soaking in the mineral waters guests can now play golf and tennis, shoot sporting clays, view first-run films, fish for trout, and even learn to drive SUVs off-road. The resort also provides guests with a medical diagnostic clinic, in keeping with the spa’s original concept as a health facility.
Beyer’s view, looking north, shows “Old White” with unbuilt additions. The large hotel was completed in 1858. Beyer included future development not present during his visit, as he did with four other resorts. The cottages in this view survive and still accommodate guests. From 1959 through 1962, during the Cold War, a top-secret bunker was constructed under the Greenbrier as a refuge for members of Congress should the country be attacked with nuclear weapons. The secrecy was compromised by an investigative reporter in 1993 and the Five-Star fallout shelter is now open for public tours.
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