Cook Springs in St. Clair County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Site of the Cook Springs Hotel

1884-1954

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 26, 2023

1. Site of the Cook Springs Hotel Marker

Inscription. Near this site, and founded by entrepreneur Lafayette Cooke, for whom the community of Cook Springs was named, the hotel resort, operated from 1884 to 1954, was a grand example of mineral-springs resorts developed around the nation during that era. A combination of health retreat and entertainment destination, the hotel catered to upper-middle class and wealthy patrons. Guests arrived by train directly in front of the hotel. Patrons enjoyed a wide range of recreational activities and gained alleged health benefits by drinking the mineral-rich water. In 1930, Lafayette Cooke donated 1,600 acres and his hotel to the American School of Evangelism to be used for good deeds.

Erected 2011 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 33° 35.649′ N, 86° 23.848′ W. Marker is in Cook Springs, Alabama, in St. Clair County. It is on Cook Springs Road 0.1 miles south of Interstate 20, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 Cook Springs Rd, Pell City AL 35125, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Alabama and in the Birmingham Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Camp Winnataska (approx. 4.4 miles away); A County Older Than The State (approx. 6.4 miles away); Pell City, Alabama (approx. 6.4 miles away); Historic Downtown Pell City (approx. 6.4 miles away); Pell City’s Historical Residential District (approx. 6½ miles away); The Mill Village (approx. 6.7 miles away); Liberty Church, School, and Graveyard (approx. 6.8 miles away); Town of Margaret (approx. 7.7 miles away).

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 26, 2023

2. Site of the Cook Springs Hotel Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,794 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Clear daylight photographs of marker. • Can you help?