Ericson, Joe E

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East Texas Historical JournalVolume 33 | Issue 1 Article 93-1995Nacogdoches as a Health Resort? The Story ofAqua Vitae ParkJoe E. EricsonFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/ethjPart of the United States History CommonsTell us how this article helped you.This Article is brought to you for free and open access by SFA ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in East Texas Historical Journal by anauthorized administrator of SFA ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact cdsscholarworks@sfasu.edu.Recommended CitationEricson, Joe E. (1995) "Nacogdoches as a Health Resort? The Story of Aqua Vitae Park," East Texas Historical Journal: Vol. 33: Iss. 1,Article 9.Available at: http://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/ethj/vol33/iss1/944 EAST TEXAS HlSTORICAL ASSOCIATIONNACOGDOCHES AS A HEALTH RESORT'!THE STORY OF AQUA VITAE PARKby Joe E. EricsonBefore America's entrance into World War I. two enterprising Nacog-doches. Texas, residents developed a plan to make that old East Texas towninto a health resort, a spa to rival Marlin and Mineral Wells. The impetus fortheir notion of a privately owned, public park operated for a profit and forrecreation for the public came from "Uncle" Charl1e Bird, " a well knownNegro round town." IEarly in 1908 Bird purchased a piece of land on the west side of LaNanaCreek, south of the road later known as East Main Street and then a few blocksfrom downtown. When purchased, the plot of land had little value; containingonly one or two houses, it was used primarily as pasture. Moving his wife tothe spot in September 1908 with the intention of making it his homestead,Charlie Bird dug a well on the property to provide water for his home.When water began to tlow in his well, Bird learned that the liquid had a"particular taste and effect" that rendered it unpalatable to drink. Demon-strating a great deal of resourcefulness, the old man began to peddle the wateraround town, especially to the sick and afflicted.About a year after he acquired the land, Bird "conceived the idea ofdisposing of his property" and approached Robert Lindsey and June C. Hanis,local businessmen involved in dry goods. real estate, cotton buying,newspaper publishing, and a variety of other commercial activities. Afterconsulting other local residents, Lindsey and Harris decided to organize astock company, purchase the land, and exploit its location and resources.The property acquired wa<; described by the Daily Sentinel as "aboutseven hundred feet tronting on [East] Main Street and running back towardHayward Mill taking in about fourteen acres. The east line meanders along theLaNana Creek, south line being partly fanned by that stream."2 As thepromoters planned to improve the area and tum it into a public park, work toclear the site began almost immediately. Among the first changes was tostraighten the bed of LaNana Creek to improve drainage.By the end of the first week in April 1909, a large work crew had finishedmany of the planned improvements. In just four weeks, workmen converted afourteen-acre piece of swampland, in places even a marsh, into "a scene of realpleasure, instead of an eyesore as it formerly was.")The land acquired by the stock company fronted on East Main Street (ElCamino Real or the Old San Antonio Road) west of LaNana Creek for some700 feet; its boundary followed the creek; its western line extendedapproximately 870 feet south; and its south line was formed partly by thestream itself. In the center of the new public park was located the mineralJoe E. Ericson reaches Political Science ar Stephen F. Austin State Universit)~ Nacogdoches.EAST TEXAS mSTORICAL ASSOCIATION 45wells that were its principal attraction.Dr. Joseph E, Mayfield, a local physician, suggested the name given tothe park and its mineral water, Aqua Vitae (Water of Life), in keeping with anancient Nacogdoches Indian tradition that nearby was a life-giving spring.After surveying the park just prior to its official opening, the local editorpenned this glowing description:A high solid wall fence had been built entirely around the resort,excepting along the line of the LaNana and the front. A net wire fcnee isbuilt along the fronl ... The whole of the fourteen acres have been leveledand shaped , .. In the center of the entrance fence is a vehicle gate, whilebetween the city approach side and that gate is a pedestrian entrance. Awide driveway, some twenty or twcnty~five feet, runs from the entranceto the farther side of the park, on each side of which, toward the front, [is Ia broad, well planned ~ite in grass lawns. On either side of the drivewayshedges has been planted, while along the board walk buill [rom thepedestrian gate, are two rows of growing cape jasmine plants. Nearer thecenter of the park, flower beds have been laid.~By that time two wells had been dug, a large pavilion erected over WellNo.1, a high curb for the same well lald down, a pump installed, and otherfacilities provided for dispensing the "cool, sparkling liquid, the Aqua Vitae,destined to place this city in the topnotch niche as a health resort."" Similarinstallations were planned for additional wells.South of the wells, hitching posts were provided for those who wereconveyed to the park in horse-drawn vehicles. Scattered around the wells andover the remainder of the grounds were seats and swings for the comfort ofvisitors. A picnic grove with running water, grassy plots, and more swingswere featured.Samples of the water from all three wells (the third having beencompleted by July 1909) were submitted to a national government chemist foranalysis. The report indicated that the well water contained significantamounts of calcium, magnesium, and sodium carbonate; calcium, magnesium,and sodium sulphate; and magnesium and sodium chloride, The carbonateswere alleged to increase metabolism, dissolve uric acid, and soothe urinarytract irritation; and the sulfates and chlorides were thought to be useful as tonicand laxative.Eleven prominent Nacogdoches area physicians announced on April 7,1909 that they took great pleasure in informing all "who are seeking afterhealth" that Aqua Vitae was a "very effective stimulant to all the excretoryorgans." They further testified that the mineral water "'is one of the best, if notTHE BEST alkaline purgative we have ever seen. Its antacid properties alsorender it very valuable in certain stomach troubles."6Lindsey and Harris announced that there would be no entrance fee andthe entire grounds were at the disposal of the public from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30p.m. daily. Income to the park's investors - now known as the Aqua Vitae ParkCompany - would come from the sale of the mineral waters. Half gallons were4-6 EAST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONpriced at ten cents and gallons at fifteen cents, while a case of twelve halfgallons could be purchased for $1.50. In addition, coupon books could beobtained at all drug stores and at the wells. Books for fifty drinks sold for$1.00 and those for 1O0 drinks for $2.00. Mrs. A. V. Muller was placed incharge of Well No.1 for the sale of water at the park.Management, investors, and the local ncw~ media were all highlyoptimistic about this ambitious venture. The local editor predicted, withpardonable exaggeration:The opportunities for making Nacogdoches a famous resort are great, andmueh capital has been put at the command of the management for themaking. This city and section is certainly a proper locality for a healthresort and the climate and other extremely gratifying features place\; itabove and beyond any other resort that can be mentioned.'He also suggested that the city's historical sites would "add lustre to thebrilliant opportunities now existing:' and stated positively that "there is littledoubt that a pleasure and health resort here would soon be the leading one inthe state."The editor further prophesied that "neither money nor pains will bespared in making this city and this pretty place" a spot around which thousandsof people would congregate for improved health and greater enjoyment of life.Such was the general level of expectations on April 28, 1909, when the AquaVitae Park formally opened.Opening day plans called for invitations to be extended to prominentrailroad officials, including those of the Southern Pacific. Santa Fe, and CottonBelt. Railroads were invited to run special trains with discounted rates for theday. A Reception Committee composed of twenty-four of the community'sleading citizens, headed by banker E.A. Blount. an Entertainment Committeeof twenty prominent residents of Nacogdoches, headed by businessman H.H.Cooper, and a Committee on Grounds of four, headed by developer RobertLindsey, prepared for opening day. A day-long program began with a concertby the thirty-piece Elks Band of Nacogdoches at 11:30 a.m. on the publicsquare and ended with a second band concert at 9:00 p.m. at the NacogdochesOpera House on East Main Street.The program featured a welcoming address by the Honorable S.W.Blount, speaking on behalf of Mayor W.U. Perkins; a major address entitled,'The Neglected Opportunities of East Texas," by Professor H,P. Attwater,industrial agent for the Sunset Central Railroad; and a dedicatory address byJudge James 1. Perkins. Approximately 120 Confederate veterans turned out tolead the march from the public square eastward to the Aqua Vitae Park. TheDaily Sentinel reported that a crowd estimated at from 3,500 to 5,000 personsattended the ceremonies in spite of "a downpour of rain" the previous nightand showers the morning of opening day.~For the Park to be a financial success and for the city to become a majorhealth resort, Lindsey and Hanis, along with other company leaders, realizedthat additional improvements would have to be made at the site. TheyEAST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 47envisioned a total of four wells, but apparently only three were drilled. Byearly May the company announced that a bottling plant and shipping housewould be erected to package the water for shipping to customers throughoutthe region; LaNana Creek would be straightened and a bathing pool andwading pool created just west of the wells; and a band stand built so regularconcerts could be held.Company managers also signed a contract for the construction of a scenicminiature railway and eight four-room cottages on the eastern side of thedriveway. They also expected to contract for the erection of a bowling alley inthe not too distant future.In mid-June railroad officials issued an ultimatum and a challenge to thePark Company and the Nacogdoches community. They offered to bringpassengers to the city and the park for one and one-third fare, round trip, asthey had to established resorts such as Hot Springs, Mineral Wells, and Marlin.Their cooperation was contingent, however, upon the community and thecompany meeting stipulated conditions: ample hotel and boarding facilities toaccommodate the visitors; attractive features for amusement. comfort, andpastime; adequate auditorium facilities; sufficient bath house arrangements;and judicious advertising. Cost of the new auditorium to seat at least 500people was estimated at between $2,000 and S2,500, and cost of advertisingplaced at approximately $500 per month.What happened at this point is a good example of the almost total absenceof progressive business attitudes among the people of Southern agrariancommunities. On June 16, 1909, a Soliciting Committee composed of R.E.Davis, H.T. Mast, and E.H. Blount was selected to secure funds for the newauditorium and other projected improvements in the city and at the park.YSolicitors assured prospective contributors that "no games or operas will bepermitted at the Auditorium on Sunday, nor will any sort of gambling beallowed in said building at any time."I()After a period of about four weeks during which the community did notrespond to the appeal voiced by the park's proprietors and other investors andto the railroad's prediction of failure if the fund raising failed, on July 3D,1909, Lindsey and Harris announced that they were transferring the watercompany to Houston and abandoning the park project. Robert Lindsey movedto Houston to open the finn's office for the sale of real estate and Aqua Vitaewater. A complete bottling plant for the water was projected at theNacogdoches site from which the bottled water would be shipped by rail incarload Jots to Houston for further distribution.June C. Harris, who remained in Nacogdoches to supervise operations,pinpointed the reason for the failure of the park project:We hate to leave Nacogdoche~, and still believe that thi!i city and herpeople have let pass a brilliant opportunity when no effort to push thisenterprise was made. Had the people shown a disposition to help us, weintended to lease the Orton pasture [to the eastl for an artificial lake. boathouse, bath houses, drive ways through the plot to the canyons and st.ock4R EAST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONit with park animals. A natural health resort Nacogdoches is, with thesewonderful attractions for the summer tourists, and the fact that therailroads had promised to put five hundred people a day here next season,make it still more regrettable. But it can't be helped and we are compelledto go where we can have co-operation in another way, if not in the waywe desired. 1IEditor Giles Haltom underscored the disappointment of the park'spromoters in a September 1910 editorial in which he sharply castigated thelack of community support, asking rhetorically. "When will the people ofNacogdoches lay aside their 'opposition' and get together for the advancementand improvement and progress of this city and sectionT12 He left his questionunanswered but strongly suggested that they had not been willing to do so forAqua Vitae.Nearly a year after Lindsey and Harris and the Aqua Vitae Companyabandoned the park, the Daily Sentinel reported that the grounds were coveredby weeds and grass but that the improvements were still thcre - seats, swings,pavilions, band stand, flower beds, and green lawn - the water was stillavailable, and that the private investors were still willing to operate theirenterprise. All that was lacking was popular support. 1JLocal people "loved the park and its splendid trees, excellent driveways,and other features." They came and went at leisure, reveling in the beauties ofthe place. When the park's management sought to expand the scope ofoperations, however, those same people expected the original investors toshoulder the entire cost. The investors had more than $8,000 tied up and werereceiving a good return from the bottling and shipment of the waters, but thebottling operation did little to stimulate the local economy.E.A. Blount, a prominent local figure, in a letter to the editor in the DailySentinel, offered a compromise: "[1]t would be a wise and popular move, .. forthe city to buy that portion of the Aqua Vitae property known as the Jule Smithtract and use it as a public park, being so close in and also being near the wellsit would always be a popular resort and should be owned by the city and keptin good condition for the public."14 Blount's suggestion apparently generatedlittle or no public interest.To better exploit the waters themselves, the Aqua Vitae Mineral WaterCompany laid a pipe line from a spring on J.G. Orton's property to bring waterto the site. An abandoned Negro church building on the grounds was utilizedas a storage house. Well No. ] was enlarged to eight feet in diameter and linedwith cement, new pumps installed, and bottling apparatus put in place.Early in 1911 Robert Lindsey became the sole owner of the Aqua Vitaeproperties. He announced that sale of the mineral water would continue butthat sales at the wells would be handled by one man at the park between thehours of 8:00 and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Orders, he said, couldbe placed for home delivery. Local and out-of-town drug stores would handleretail sales, while bottling and shipment to the distribution center in Houstonwould not be materially changed. 15EAST TEXAS HISTORICAL ASSOCiATION 49By the time of America's entrance in World War I, all mention of AquaVitae mineral waters had disappeared from the local newspaper. Presumablethe war and declining sales spelled the demise of the promising enterprise.Despite abandonment by the Aqua Vitae Company, the park did not ceaseto be utilized by the local community nearly that early. Charles Lee Hill, whomoved to Nacogdoches with his family in 1920, attended a speech delivered inthe park in 1926 by former governor James E. Ferguson on behalf of his wife,Miriam A. Ferguson, during her gubernatorial campaign. He also recalledattending a band concert there performed by the Allen Academy Band.lf!Later, probably when Hill was a student in Nacogdoches High School orStephen F. Austin State College, "the park settled into its final decay ... , lost ina tangle of plants, weeds, Landl fallen trees."17 Still later, the frontage alongEast Main Street was sold and a variety of business establishments erected.Acknowledging that turn-of-the-century small Southern agrariancommunities (as Nacogdoches undoubtedly was) had limited quantities offluid capital and that their philosophical bent made them reluctant to gamblewhat capital they possessed, the collapse of the Aqua Vitae Park project wasan excellent example of an opportunity lost. Development of mineral waterspas in Mineral Wells by 1897 and in Marlin by 1900 demonstrated thesignificant economic impact that could be generated by this type ofenterprise. IS Another opportunity of this magnitude did not arise inNacogdoches until the State of Texas began searching for a site for a regionalnormal college in East Texas a decade later.NOTESIDm1y Sentinel. April 8. 1909.2Daily Sentinel April 8, 1909.lDaily Sentinel, April 8, 1909.4Daily Sentinel. April 8. 1909.4Daily Sentinel, April 8, 1909.6Daily Sentinel, April 7, 1909. The local physicians were F.T. Ford, A.A. Nelson, I.E.Mayfield, c.H. Rulfs, FR. Tucker, R.P. Lockey, W.I.M. Smith, E.D. Williams, G.S. Barham, J.R.Reagan, and W.H. Campbell.'Daily Sentinel, April 8, 1909.IDaily Sentinel, April 28. 1909.iDaily Sentinel, Iune 29, 1909.'"Daily Sentinel, June 29, 1909."Daily Sentinel, July 30, 1909.I~Daily Sentinel, September 1, 1910."Daily Sentinel, May ]2, ]910.l~Daily Sentinel, May 13, 1910.15Daily Sentinel, January 17. 1911.16Lcttcr to the Editor, Daily Sentinel, October 30,1992.17Charle~ Lee Hill to Joe E. Ericson, November 27, 1992.ISMineral water wells had been opened in 1891 in both Mineral Wells and Marlin. and thehighly publicized Crazy Water well was drilled at Mineral Wells in 18R5.

Nacogdoches as a Health Resort? The Story of Aqua Vitae Park

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