Near Peebles in Adams County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Adams County Mineral Springs
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 16, 2019
1. Adams County Mineral Springs Marker
Medicinal value of springs promoted by Charles Matheny, 1840. First hotel built 1864 and resort named Sodaville. Under ownership of General Benjamin Coates, 188891, Smith Grimes 189108, and J. W. Rogers 190820. Mineral Springs Health Resort nationally known for its large hotel complex and recreational facilities. This hotel destroyed by fire 1924. Smaller hotel built 1904 quarter mile north continued operation through 1940.Erected 1980 by Adams County Historical Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 1-5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Natural Resources • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1840.
Location. 38° 52.79′ N, 83° 19.686′ W. Marker is near Peebles, Ohio, in Adams County. Marker is on Mineral Springs Road (County Route 18) north of Garnet Shiveley Road, on the right when traveling south. It is across from the springs. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6323 Mineral Springs Rd, Peebles OH 45660, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cairn of Peace (approx. 6.4 miles away); Wickerham Inn
this page online
More about this marker. Per the Ohio Historical Connection, this marker was inadvertently given a non-Adams County number, 1-5. There is another 1-5 in Athens County, 'Hocking Valley Railway.
Also see . . . PDF: Ohio Southland Journal, Volume 6, Number 2. “Mineral Springs, Adams County Ohio” 1995 article by Stephen Kelly. “For almost a century, Adams County possessed such a health resort. Located about six miles southeast of present-day Peebles, it was commonly known as Mineral Springs, Adams County, Ohio. It was situated on the Dry Fork of Turkey Creek at the foot of Peach Mountain. This once famous resort dates back to 1840 when a local resident, Charles Matheny, found the waters from one of the mineral springs in the area acted strongly on his kidneys and gave him relief from a persistent renal disorder. Word of his "cure" became widespread and soon a number of ailing hopefuls flocked to the area seeking help from the red sulphur spring from which Charles had drunk.” (Submitted on April 28, 2019.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 16, 2019
2. Adams County Mineral Springs Marker
The spring is out of frame across the road on the left.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 16, 2019
3. View of the Spring from the Marker
Photographed By J. J. Prats, April 16, 2019
4. Ruins of the Mineral Spring
Inscription just above the two indented stones reads, “Take a Drink on Wm. Bruckmann.” William Bruckmann owned the Bruckmann Brewing Company in Cincinnati, the nearest metropolis to the resort, and was never an owner of this property. The low stone pedestal on the floor of the structure was the basin from which the spring flowed. Old photographs show the name “Smith Grimes” now hidden under the lichen. He was the proprietor who built this stonework. Click on image, then again on oversize image to enlarge.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 699 times since then and 177 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
