SPRINGS OF SONOMA COUNTY 



A. R, WATERS 

 Secretary Santa Ro«a Chamber of Commerce 



THE marvelous region — a branch of Hades— nestling among the um- U 

 brageous oaks and firs in the pine-clad mountains, rich in manzanita I 

 groves, sweet-scented shrubbery and wild flowers, and surrounded I 

 on all sides by his Satanic Majesty's prodigious laboratory — known jj 

 as the California Geysers, — is located in the northwestern part of 

 Sonoma County, sixteen miles east of Cloverdale, from whence it is reached 

 by stage. These famous springs are objects of wonder and admiration 

 to all of the tens of thousands who visit them annually. 



The combined Geyser Springs, hot and cold, flow about 100,000 gal- 

 lons of water daily. The area covered is about four hundred acres, and 

 the temperature of the water after it reaches the Pluton River is about 

 75 degrees. Many of the springs resemble the true geysers of the Yellow- 

 stone Park, but scientists tell us that they are fumaroles or openings and 

 outlets in a volcanic district. The waters are very medicinal and curative for 

 many of the diseases of the skin and organic troubles to which man is heir 

 and are being used more every year to the great help of all who visit them. 



Taking the springs in Sonoma County alphabetically, we will find 

 the Alder Glen situated two and one-half miles from Cloverdale, and the 

 Fairmount Mineral Springs about five miles from Cloverdale. The water 

 of the latter is alkaline and carbonate, very palatable, and has a pleasant 

 antacid effect on the stomach. 



Geyser Springs consist of several hot- and cold-water springs at 

 Geyser Station that have alkaline water ranging in temperature from 55 

 to 212 degrees. The Little Geyser Springs consist of several small jets 

 of hot steam issuing from the earth's crust at a temperature of 190 de- 

 grees, and are located three miles below Geyser Station. 



Litton Seltzer Springs are located four miles above Healdsburg, at 

 Litton Spring Station. The excellent seltzer and soda waters, both of 

 which are well known commercially, and are slightly acid when drawn, but 

 on exposure the evaporation of the carbonic anhydride becomes alkaline. 

 It is used as an antacid in dyspepsia and in kidney troubles. It has aperient 

 properties also. 



Mark West Springs are beautifully situated in the hills about eight 

 miles from Santa Rosa, near the famous Petrified Forest, on Mark West 

 Creek, at an elevation of about eight hundred feet, and surrounded by 

 Mt. Washington, Mt. Lincoln, and Mt. Grant. There are hot sulphur and 

 hot mud baths, with temperatures from 65 to 82 degrees. An iron spring 

 contains highly chalybeate water, with magnesia, lime, soda, carbonate 

 of iron, and free carbonic acid gas. The iron spring is used for its tonic 

 effects, and the sulphurous ones for rheumatism and cutaneous diseases. 



The White Sulphur Springs, near Santa Rosa, flow abundantly, the 

 waters being mostly sulphureted and cold. The action of the water is 

 slightly aperient and diuretic, acting on the stomach, liver, and intestinal 

 tract. It is useful in congestion of the liver, due to malarial poisoning 

 and rheumatism, kidney, and bladder troubles, and skin diseases. The 

 springs are only two miles from town. 



Skaggs Hot Springs are eight miles west of Clairville, on the North- 

 western Pacific Railroad. There are four main springs of thermal alkali- 

 chalybeate water, ranging from 120 to 140 degrees. The water is agree- 

 ably pungent to the taste, and issues clear and sparkling from the earth. 



There are many more important springs within the county, on both 

 the Northwestern and the Southern Pacific, to the south of Santa Rosa. 

 All have their virtues and many are being used extensively. Several physi- 

 cians have sanitariums established, and are doing a fine business caring 

 for invalids and others who desire treatment. There are fine openings 

 for hundreds of others to do the same thing in the county. 



