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*SEE SUPPLEMENT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. One of the most remarkable collections of historic structures in West Virginia, Salt Sulphur Springs is the centerpiece of the Salt Sulphur Springs National Historic District in Monroe County, West Virginia. One of the best-known healing spring resorts in the southeastern U.S., it attracted thousands of guests annually before and after the Civil War, including dignitaries such as presidents Monroe, Madison, and Van Buren. In 1862, it was a headquarters for the Army of the Confederacy. In its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, the property was declared to be one of the largest pre-Civil War groupings of native stone in West Virginia, imbued with "a strong sense of place and time when Salt Sulphur ranked as a leading resort in the Upper South." ATTRIBUTES AND HIGHLIGHTS *On National Register of Historic Places *Declared to be one of the largest pre-Civil War groupings of native stone buildings in West Virginia *Rehabilitation Grants and Tax Credits *Legacy historic mineral springs resort dating to circa 1816 *Six buildings on the property: The Salt (old stone hotel), The Salt Cottages (2), Stone Chapel, Stone Spring House, Stone Bathhouse *The Salt Stone Chapel will be included in the sale at a price to be determined *1/2 mile frontage on Indian Creek *Three famous springs on property: "Sweet," "Salt Sulphur," and "Iodine" *Sweeping views of West Virginia countryside *On US-219 Scenic Byway *25 miles from The Greenbrier Resort *25 miles to I-64 at Lewisburg jet airport *38 miles to I-77 at Princeton *50 miles to Blacksburg, Va. LOCATION Google Coordinates: 37.570919°(N), -80.571051°(W) Address: 2 Salt Sulphur Lane, Union, WV 24983 Elevation Range: 1801 ft. to 1948 ft. +/- HISTORY OF "THE SALT" The history of The Salt Sulphur Springs Resort may most firmly be established in 1802, when a spring on Indian Creek was noted to possess medicinal qualities. In 1805, a second spring was discovered. These became the resort's Sweet Sulphur Spring and Salt Sulphur Spring. As a result of the demand for "medicinal" spring waters among wealthy Southerners, the springs soon attracted visitors. In 1816, Ervin Benson, who had purchased 500 acres at the site in 1797, hired John Fullen, Sr., of Lexington, Va., to build the first stone building, the present-day Old Stone Hotel. The bathhouse, springhouse, and store building were soon added to meet the demand of an increasing clientele. The Salt Resort Hotel has, in recent years, been used as a private residence for the Farmer Family. The downstairs today includes a large modern household kitchen that blends in with the parlor, which includes the original fireplace and mantle. A staircase is located on both ends of the hotel to access the upstairs bedrooms and the presidential suite. The grand ballroom fills the majority of the downstairs. The grand ballroom features a tall ceiling height, and the Musicians Gallery box is situated in the far right corner of the room. Access to the Musicians Gallery is from the southern staircase of the building. Also at the south end of the hotel are the grand entrance foyer and staircase. A half bath is located beneath the stairs. The Salt Sulphur Springs Hotel is awaiting the new loving owner to restore this trophy property to its full splendor of the bygone days of the 1800s. Although much work stands to be done, the Salt can be a functioning residence and special event business for the owner and innkeeper while repairs and upgrades are completed in modules. Because the property is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, tax credits and grants for restoration are likely to be available. |
