There is History Everywhere!

[PaigeBooth]

(07-08-2016 08:24 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  Lol. Before I went to your page I envisioned an actual bathtub! Silly me!

Bill, I suppose the word "bathtub" is a bit deceiving! I really had a great time visiting Berkeley Springs; there is a lot of amazing history there. It is easy to see why Washington enjoyed the area so much-- while nearby spring waters are 50 degrees, the water at Berkeley Springs is always 74 degrees. I put my hand in the water and although it felt comfortable, I think that to bath in it I would like it a little warmer! Washington, however, loved Berkeley Springs. In fact, he liked the area so much he even built a summer home on the two lots of land he owned in Berkeley Springs and made certain the house overlooked the springs.
These springs were actually considered "healing springs" and believed by Native Americans to contain healing powers. They believed this because the water contains a vast variety of minerals, and is said to be helpful in treating rheumatism, diabetes paralysis and other diseases. I found this particularly interesting because it reminded me of Franklin Roosevelt's "Warm Springs" in Georgia. Much like Berkeley Springs, the water contains a great amount of minerals, and FDR believed it treated his polio.
Unlike FDR, however, I was told at the museum in Berkeley Springs that, after testing the waters, George Washington did not believe the waters had any healing powers-- he simply enjoyed bathing in them.