Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-01-06
Rosencrans Park a Famous Resort
in the Early Days-The First
Park Opening.
HEALTH RESORT IS PROPOSED
Analysis of Water Made by Prof.
Pope of the State Agricultural
College.

County by F. @. and j. w. Lee: II
1884 the discovery of a number o
strong flowing wells along Boon,
river at Webster City developed
visions of another enterprise tina
should make Webster City famou.
and it's people wealthy. The water
from these wells was charged with
mineral qualities, and chemica
analysis showed these to be of such
proportions as to give the water g
medical value. 1t was now evident
to our enthusiasts that Webster City
was destined to be a great health
resort, and the following announc.
ment appeared in the Freeman of
July 9, 1884:
TO HEALTH SEEKERS-WEB-
sTER C1TY's MINERAL SPRING!
And overlooking wells present op-
portunities for health-seekers un-
surpassed by few localities in the
west The big Mineral Spring" is
situated within three minutes walk
| of the postoffice, and its waters are
perfectly pure and pleasant to the
taste. Flowing up through four
inch pipes at the rate of a barrel a
minute, ample opportunity is afford
all who can come to drink freely
of these waters that are commend
ing themselves to the invalid and
health seeker. The analysis as
made by Prof. Pope of Iowa State
Agricultural College, shows in COM
bination, iron, soda, magnesia, pot
ash, and sulphur, with other medi-
cal properties in less degree; and
are being tested by hundreds daily
with decided benefit in case of rheu-
matism, kidney, bowel and stomach
diseases, etc. The spring is fitted
up for the convenience of visitors
equal to any of the springs of the
country, and is in close proximity
to the flowing wells which are be-
lieved also to possess nearly or quite
the same properties.
Thee facilities for reaching Web
ster City are scarcely excelled in the
state-the town having direct rail-
road connection with Chicago, Sioux
City, Des Moines, Council Bluffs, St.
Paul and all other northwestern
country. The hotel accommodations
are first class with good board at
from 81 to Sc per week; and at
boarding houses entertainment can
be furnished at from SO to 81 per
week. Webster City is pleasantly
situated, with natural scenery, driv-
es, churches, schools and other at
fractions to the visitor.
The proprietors of the springs are
DESTROYS of fitting up a sanitarium
and special inducements will be
given to any competent and reliable
physician who will take an interest
in the enterprise.
For particulars address P. o. box
AZ, Webster City, Iowa.
While no reliable physician ap-
peared with money enough to spare
to push the health resort project,
many people in Webster City drank
the flowing waters, believed in them
and were consequently benefited.
THE FIRST PARK OPENING.
The flowing wells were located on
a. strip of river bottom on the east
side of Boone river just south of Du-
buque street, belonging to S. B. Ros-
encrans. Rosencrans was. one Of the
earliest settlers and had always been
prominent in business and politics.
He was an enthusiast and dreamer.
He had dreamed out the health re-
sort project. but as it failed to ma
terialize, his Imagination now turn
ed to another project It was the
creating Of beautiful public park
about the now famous flowing wells
During all Of the spring of 1885 he
worked at this project with feverish
activity, doing most of the work
with his own hands. He built walks,
edged with whitewashed stones,
planted flowers, built sparkling foun-
tains, put numerous seats in shady
A., hooks, and by the last of May the
park was bower of beauty. 1t was
then announced that on June 4,
1885 would occur the first grand
park opening, when the park was to
be thrown open to the public. The
event was literally advertised and
people came from all parts Of the
county and the park was thronged
with people all intent on a good
time. OF all the happy faces that
thronged the park none so beamed