Huntsville in Madison County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

The Big Spring of Today

Huntsville Water Trail

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 13, 2021

1. The Big Spring of Today Marker

Inscription. By 1957, the Big Spring that was once so essential to Huntsville's origin and growth, was no longer the city's primary water supply. However, Big Spring Park lives on as a source of pride for the city and a monument to its founding.

Even with all its industrial uses, the spring had been a functioning park for many years. While stationed in Huntsville during the Spanish-American war, Colonel W. Hiram Chittenden of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers took an interest in the spring - ultimately relocating the pump house, installing a fountain, and lining the lagoon.

The Big Spring still generates 7-20 million gallons of water per day, a source of natural beauty around which the community can congregate and connect. The park has been home to numerous events, and is celebrated as the central feature of downtown Huntsville to this day.

Captions:
Left: Photography by Amanda Kemp ©2019 Huntsville Utilities
Right: Photography by Amanda Kemp ©2019 Huntsville Utilities

Erected by Huntsville Utilities. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.

Location. 34° 43.77′ N, 86°

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35.165′ W. Marker is in Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Marker can be reached from Fountain Circle Southwest near West Side Square. Located in Big Spring International Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 216 West Side Square, Huntsville AL 35801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Hunt (within shouting distance of this marker); The Big Spring (within shouting distance of this marker); Huntsville Utilites Special Awards (within shouting distance of this marker); The Spring Runs Its Course (within shouting distance of this marker); First Bank In Alabama (within shouting distance of this marker); Erected in 1835 (within shouting distance of this marker); Major General H.N. Toftoy, USA. (within shouting distance of this marker); Northern Terminus Indian Creek Canal (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huntsville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 13, 2021

2. The Big Spring of Today Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 18, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.