Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-01-23
.SWEETWATER PARK HOTEL
IS DESTROYED BY FIRE
Handsome Summer Resort at
Lithia Springs Is Burned.
$3.50, 900 Loss

LITH1A SPRINGS. Ga, Jan. 22.-The
Sweetwater Park hotel, one of the larg-
est summer resorts in Georgia, was ELI
tirely destroyed by fire here this morn
ing, entailing loss estimated at $780,
600. The origin of the fire is unknown,
The loss is thought to be covered Oy
insurance. -..r afs.
The hotel, which was three stories
high, contained $50 bed rooms, with mod
ern baths, sun parlors and other con-
veniences.
While it waG principally used as a
summer hotei. 1t had recently also been
occupied by winter tourists, but was va
cant at the time of the fire.
The hotel was built about % years ago
While no plans have been announced
by the owners, the hotel will probably
be rebuilt.
WAS FAMOUS HOTEL.
Built over 2S years ago by the late E.
w. Marsh, Sweetwater Park hotel had
for years enjoyed the patronage Of the
best people of the south. 1t was espe-
cially popular with Atlantians and peo-
pie from the southern part of Georgia
1t was opened during the winter, and
many northern tourists spent their win
ters there. The social life, however, was
at it's height during the summer months.
Many Atlantians would spend month
at a time at the place. enjoying the coun-
try life and at the same time getting the
benefit of the water. Weekend parties,
made up of the leaders of Atlanta's So
clety, contributed much to the gaiety of
the resort There were germans every
Saturday night, attended by many of the
society leaders of Atlanta.
1t is only ride of 20 miles by the rail
from the city to Austell' Ga, where a
dummy met each train, and carried the
people to the hotel about a mile away
The springs were some distance from the
hotel, and were reached by the same
dummy line. In recent years, each sum-
.mer, the resort has been a great place
for automobilists. as the roads were
good and il is only is miles through the
country. Many years the 9 O'Clock Ger
man club had their annual summer out
ings at the hotel. The club would char
ter a train and carry between rs and 100
couples. The party would go up some
Saturday about o'clock in the after
noon, dance until midnight, and then
return on the same train.
SCENE OF CHAUTAUQUAS.
Henry w. Grady. just before he died.
organized a chautauqua, which was held
for two months on the grounds of the
hotel property. Some of the most noted
men in the country at that time took
part in it. amongst whom being the late
William Mckinley, who was a congress-
man at the time, and spoke on the tariff
question; Roger Q. Mills, of Texas, and
Thomas Nelson Page. These men were
all guests of the hotel during their stay.
Private John Allen also spent his sum-
mers there. The chautauqua existed
only one summer though. Many Allan
tians were interested with Mr.. Grady,
one of whom was the late M. c. Kiser.
Before Mr.. Marsh died about ten years
ago he told his friend, Green B. Adair,
that he had spent over 100000 on the
property. Only $4,000 insurance was
carried on the building by the present
company. 1t was bought by the BOwden
Iitha Springs Water company from
the receiver Of the Marsh estate for
100000 The land consisted of 70 acres.
and besides the hotel there were several
cottages and other buildings.
The officers of the present company
owning the property are:
John D. Little, president; Mrs L. p.
Whitehead. vice president; Herbert E.
Haley, secretary and treasurer; William