By William “Skip” Deegans
Shown is an undated post card showing the pool at the Sweet Springs resort in Monroe County. The springs were discovered in 1764, and around them a prominent resort developed in the 1800’s that was known as “Old Sweet.”
Dr. William Burke, proprietor and resident physician of nearby Red Sulphur Springs, and author of “The Mineral Springs of Western Virginia” (1846) described the waters at the Old Sweet: “They quicken the circulation, impart tonicity and vigor to the system, excite the animal passions, cheer the spirits, and inspire the mind with pleasurable sensations.” He cautiously recommended Sweet Springs for certain cases of uterine functions, dyspepsia, and nephritic affections.” He wrote that “aged persons, free from organic disease, would find youth and vigor and elasticity at the bottom of this noble fountain,” and “with a daily plunge could live to the fabled age of the crow.” However, Dr. Burke strongly condemned the pernicious practice of imbibing “mint juleps” or other spiritous mixtures upon leaving the bath.
Needless to say, Burke’s accolades help make the Old Sweet one of the most popular of the Virginia mineral springs resorts. While the pool still exists to some extent, it has woefully deteriorated.
Post card courtesy of West Virginia University Regional History Center.
Sources: University of Virginia Archives, National Register of Historic Places nomination form, The Springs of Virginia by Perceval Reniers.
