Hot Sulphur Wells is one of the lesser known hot springs of San Antonio, Texas. Many San Antonians remember the hot sulphur springs at Hot Sulphur Wells located south of downtown in the early part of the century. There were both public bathing areas and hotels to serve health-conscious citizens and tourists. This news article will examine what Hot Sulphur Wells is and was.
Hot Sulphur Wells also operated under the names Hot Sulphur Wells Bath House, Harlandale Hot Sulphur Wells Bath House, and Harlandale Hot Sulphur Bath House.
The first time Hot Sulphur Wells was mentioned was in a news article about the Hot Sulphur Wells Hotel and Hot Wells Hotel in a news article written by San Antonio Express in 1902. The advertisement told of a “modem, first class hotel located at one of the hot sulphur springs.” It was a popular resort of the day. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/58638711/)
Hot Sulphur Wells boasted a hotel, a spring-fed swimming pool, and recreational facilities to suit any taste or need. The hot sulphur springs and mud packs were supposed to cure almost any ailment.
Hot Sulphur Wells off of South Presa Street became a nationally famed resort in the early years of the 20th century, featuring an elegant hotel, a large amusement park, and baths in hot sulphur water. Visitors and tourists were drawn by the city's reputation as a health resort during early years of the 20th century. The hot sulphur springs and mud packs were supposed to cure almost any ailment. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/29745707/)
Terrell Wells Company first opened Hot Sulphur Wells to the public in 1900. The opening of the hot sulphur springs was announced in the San Antonio Daily Express. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=jtyPDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA238&lpg=PA238)
Hot Sulphur Wells was open from 8 AM to 9 PM on a daily basis from the 1900s to the 1920s. E H Perry was the proprietor of Hot Sulphur Wells during the early 20th century. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-apr-03-1923-p-16/)
The hot sulphur water was obtained at a depth of 2,100 feet. Natural for was 500 gallons per minute. Hot Sulphur Wells was a modern bath house equipped with fine equipment for kinds of baths. The hot temperatures are what brought in visitors and tourists. (Ref: Great San Antonio: the city of destiny and of your destination)
According to Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Hot Sulphur Wells had been producing 25,000 barrels of water daily at a mean temperature of 112ºF degrees. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/634509656/)
Hot Sulphur Wells was noted for its beautiful surroundings. The Hot Sulphur Wells had an elaborate bathing pavilion where medicinal, Turkish style baths, and vapor baths were given as well as massage accompaniments. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=hEcHva-BIAwC&pg=PA230-IA3&lpg=PA230)
The fame that the Hot Sulphur Wells Baths of San Antonio are gaining is widespread throughout the United States. The fame of the Alamo City to the tourist and invalid world has long been recognized. Its dry anti-malarial southern climate, its clear weather, equable temperature, where snow is practically unknown, and the Frost King seldom penetrates, its historic ruins and memories, and quaint picturesque surroundings have been the attractive magnet to draw here every year thousands of visitors seeking health or pleasure. The discovery and the publicity given the marvelous curative properties of the natural Hot Sulphur Mineral Water, with the additional advantage of a climate where baths can be taken with absolute safety and good results every day in the year, accounts largely for the popularity of this resort.
This water has a temperature of 104 degrees and is said to possess medicinal qualities equal to those of the famous Hot Springs of Arkansas. (Ref: https://digital.utsa.edu/digital/api/collection/p15125coll10/id/1884/)
Going for the baths was the thing to do and many San Antonians as well as tourists flocked to the popular area until the mid-1920s as most hot springs and hotels closed due to a lack of customers around the 1920s, as had the other sulphur springs in the area. Hot Sulphur Wells is believed to have closed in 1923. San Antonio made a big “splash” in the resort business for almost two decades. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/29754528/)
According to a news article printed in the San Antonio Express in 1965, Hot Sulphur Wells was a popular resort in the city of San Antonio. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/58638711/)
“Hot Sulphur Wells south of town, a large bath house and hotel were proving popular among both residents on Sunday outings, and visitors drawn by the city's reputation as a health resort.”
“Governor Bayers will leave today for San Antonio to spend some time in Hot Sulphur wells in an effort to recover his health.”
Hot Sulphur Wells was located somewhere on South Presa Street, San Antonio, Texas, US.
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