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Chalybeate Spring
The chalybeate spring is located inside the iron railing; and the spring is the reason the first hotel was built in 1826. The local natives (Indians) told the white men that the waters had medicinal powers. Indians from as far away as Ohio came to partake of the foul tasting waters. Chalybeate (pronounced ka-LIB-e-at) means iron bearing. The first hotel patrons had to walk down the hillside to the spring to consume the waters because water could not be brought up to the hotel. It was said that the water had to be consumed at the spring to be effective. The question becomes whether the patrons felt better because of the water or the exercise from the walk up and down the hill to get the water. |
