Facts Compiled From Indiana Department of Geology and Natutal Resources Twenty-Sixth Annual Report 1901 |
Three blocks southeast of the Union Railway Station in Terre Haute is a mineral well known as "The Exchange Mineral Well". The well has a depth of 1,865 feet and the mineral water output is estimated at 100 gallons per minute. The water has a constant temperature of 80 degrees and is classified as thermal water, one of a very few in Indiana. "The Exchange Artesian Mineral Springs Bath House and Swimming Pool" is the name of a finely equipped bath house, built of brick and stone, which has been connected with the Exchange well for a number of years. It contains 34 bath rooms, with all necessary appliances; facilities for vapor and Turkish baths and a swimming pool 66x75 feet in size. As of 1903, the owner, Mr. David Bronson claimed to have $40,000 invested in the business. The bath house was open year round. |
At the foot of Walnut Street in Terre Haute, Indiana, a short distance from the Wabash River is a well that was drilled to a depth of 1,912 feet. Originally drilled in search of oil, a strong flow of mineral water was hit at about 1,800 feet. Another vein of water was hit at 1,840 feet and still another at 1,912 feet. The combined flow from all three veins is approx. 180 gallons per minute at a constant temperature of 80 1/2 degrees. A sanitarium and bath house was erected in 1875, and remodeled and refurnished in 1889. It contains 35 bath rooms and good facilities for Turkish, vapor and mud baths. There is also a natatorium or swimming pool, 40X60 feet in size. It has no roof covering, yet the water never freezes as a constant stream of water from the well flows through it. This establishment is under the direction of A.P. Conant. It was open year round. |
Within a few feet of the Wabash River, near the foot of Swan Street, below the Magnetic Mineral Well, is the Gas Companys well. Originally drilled for gas or oil in 1889, at 1,800 feet sulphur water was hit and at 2,930 feet a second vein was hit, rich in hydrogen sulphide gas and particles of iron sulphide. 250 gallons an hour was the output and the temperature was 81 1/2 degrees. The site was never developed and a stone pillar with faucets was built at the top of the well. Note: This well I remember as a child. Located at the edge of Fairbanks Park, it was still in use, anyone could fill their container with the water for free. It really did smell and taste terrible (a least to a child.) |
Near the northwest corner of 8th Street and Wabash Ave., in the back of at that time the "Terre Haute House" a well was drilled by Chauncey Rose. It reached a depth of 1,793 feet. In the last 100 feet, a strong flow of sulphur water was hit. The well was not used and was plugged. |
Facts Compiled From Indiana Department of Geology and Natutal Resources Twenty-Sixth Annual Report 1901 |