Mount Clemens in Macomb County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mount Clemens Mineral Bath Industry
Photographed By Joel S., July 17, 2015
1. Mount Clemens Mineral Bath Industry Marker
Inscription.
Mount Clemens Mineral Bath Industry. . For seven decades, Mount Clemens was internationally renowned as a mineral bath resort city. In 1865 the first well was sunk to obtain brine for salt production. Because of the high cost of separating the salt from the various other minerals and elements in the water, this process proved unprofitable. In the fall of 1870, however, a local mill operator, Dorr Kellogg, decided to bathe in the warm, sulfurous water. Impressed with its therapeutic qualities, city businessmen were inspired to invest in a bathhouse. Known as the Original Bath House, it was completed in 1873. At the turn of the century, nine bathhouses and over thirty hotels operated in Mount Clemens. Owing to the Great Depression and increasing use of internal medicine, this "spa era" ended by 1940.
For seven decades, Mount Clemens was internationally renowned as a mineral bath resort city. In 1865 the first well was sunk to obtain brine for salt production. Because of the high cost of separating the salt from the various other minerals and elements in the water, this process proved unprofitable. In the fall of 1870, however, a local mill operator, Dorr Kellogg, decided to bathe in the warm, sulfurous water. Impressed with its therapeutic qualities, city businessmen were inspired to invest in a bathhouse. Known as the Original Bath House, it was completed in 1873. At the turn of the century, nine bathhouses and over thirty hotels operated in Mount Clemens. Owing to the Great Depression and increasing use of internal medicine, this "spa era" ended by 1940.
Erected 1979 by Michigan History Division, Department of State. (Marker Number L643.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 42° 35.826′ N, 82° 52.792′ W. Marker is in Mount Clemens, Michigan, in Macomb County. Marker is on Cass Avenue, 0.1 miles east of Southbound Gratiot Avenue (Michigan Highway
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3), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Clemens MI 48043, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 17, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 2,608 times since then and 477 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 17, 2015, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
