История знаменитого курорта Эпперсон Спрингс: от минеральных вод до электричества

We have been writing about a once famous mineral springs resort in nearby Westmoreland in Macon County. Named for an early owner, Epperson Springs once rivaled the better known Red Boiling Springs, which still operates and welcomes guests today. As early as 1852, the springs were a popular spot to visit, drink the healthful waters and stay in rustic cabins. In 1857 the springs were owned by Hartsville doctor A. M. DeBow. Dr. Debow’s untimely death led to the springs being sold to new owners, beginning a long line of short ownerships, one after another. It was not that folks questioned the “curing” powers of the sulphur waters, it was more a matter of trying to make a living year-round from a resort that was only open during the summer months. An 1867 advertisement for the springs gave the cost of “room and board" as twelve dollars and fifty cents a week or two dollars a day. The ad was signed by James M. Davis, the owner after Dr. DeBow. In 1873, Davis advertised the springs with an ad in a Nashville newspaper that read, “ EPPERSON SPRINGS…A Safe Place To Go To…Five Hundred Feet above the Level of Nashville…Never Any Cholera There." The 1870s were subject to deadly rounds of cholera, whose cause was contaminated water…but people didn’t know that at the time and would leave Nashville for healthier towns. In 1876, Davis lost the springs to a court ordered auction, to cover his outstanding debts. A fire had also hurt Davis as it damaged the hotel portion of the resort and wasn’t insured. The springs were purchased by William R. Rogan. Under Mr. Rogan, improvements were made. In 1878, Rogan offered a week’s stay with three meals a day for seven dollars. To keep guests occupied, Rogan saw to it that they had more to do than soak in sulphur water or drink either black, red, white or "double and twist" waters. An 1882 ad listed these options: “Ten-pins, Billiards and other amusements. A band of music, large and airy ball-room.” Being "airy" was impressive in the days before electric fans or air conditioning. William Rogan, like Jim Davis, knew the power of advertising. In 1896, the Nashville Banner carried this ad, “WANTED- You to find at Epperson Springs health, comfort and economy; finest sulphur waters; no malaria; no mosquitoes." Rogan managed to survive as a business, but at his death, his children sold the springs. Despite the many improvements Rogan had made, in 1906 the springs sold for only $6,500 to T. H. Harris, who kept the resort for one summer, selling it to Mary Alexander. Alexander kept it only one year, selling to still another buyer, who sold it in 1909 to Captain G. B. Muddy for a little over three thousand dollars. Captain Murray, however brought an infusion of money and ideas! Murry improved the road to the springs, added a new and larger hotel, gardens, a grand ballroom, two large dining rooms, a billiard room, barber shop and offices. More importantly, he built a ‘power house’ with a huge steam boiler to power the machinery to provide electric lights. A steam laundry was included in the power house. The new buildings would offer competition to the larger community of Red Boiling Springs down the road! Would it work? John Oliver is the Trousdale County historian.