Springs at Bedford EarthCache
Hidden : 9/17/2009
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Learn about the Historic Bedford Springs on this short but educational walk through part of the property.

You will need to park on the northbound side of the roadway in the designated parking areas.

In 1796, Nicholas Shauffler discovered a high mineral content in the natural freshwater springs located on the property of Fredrick Naugel, outside of Bedford, Pennsylvania. These springs were reputed to have ‘healing powers” by many Native American Tribes, including Shawnee, Iriquois and Tuscarora, who had come to this spot to drink from and bathe in the waters for centuries. Doctor John Anderson, then practicing in the town of Bedford, purchased the land containing the springs in 1798 and proceeded to build bathing facilities for his patients; thus starting the tradition of people traveling to experience the waters of the Bedford springs and setting the foundation for what is todayBedford Springs Resort.

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The popularity and reputation of the Dr. Anderson’s treatments grew throughout the early 19th Century and by 1809, there werethree buildings on the site. In 1824, Bedford Springs was hailed as the “Montpelier of America” in a column in the July edition of the National Gazette & Library Register, which noted with praise the mineral laden waters of the springs on property. The popularity of the resort benefited from the emphasis on outdoor life in the mid-nineteenth century as east coast American cities became increasingly industrialized and polluted, and from the establishment of stops in Bedford for the B&O and Pennsylvania Railroads beginning in 1872, providing easy accessibility from cities such as Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York.

Bedford Springs became an attraction for politicians, and, in addition to serving as the "Summer White House" for President James Buchanan from 1857 to 1861, also served as a getaway and meeting place for other presidents such as William Henry Harrison, James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor, as well as a multitude of senators and congressmen, and their families.

The first transatlantic cable sent from England to the United States was received by President Buchanan at the hotel on August 12, 1858.

The property contains seven natural springs of varying mineral qualities, providing not only a beautiful setting. The springs' mineral waters have always been central to the life and meaning of Bedford Springs Resort. Tales of their healing properties reached mythical proportions in the 19th century. For those with chronic disease, the mineral water had transformative value, providing comfort and hope. For those convescelesing from illness, the waters were thought to have health-restoring properties. For those in good health, walking sticks waited in stands by each door, gesturing toward the trail that would take them to all seven springs. This is a tradition still carried on in the resort's guest rooms.


To give you an idea of how potent these springs are, we list the following, and compare Bedford Springs' Magnesia Spring to the waters of the Boiling Springs (Earthcache GC1Q5ZW, also in PA along similar longitudes). Both springs contain the same general minerals, yet the difference in the amounts is almost staggering.

The following is cited from "The Mineral Waters of the U.S. and their Therapeutic Uses" by James K. Crook, A.M., M.D. Published by Lea Brothers and Co., New York and Philadelphia in 1899 (Online version available)

“The Bedford mineral springs have their source in a beautiful valley on the eastern slope of the Alleghany Mountains, at an elevation of 1080 feet above tide-water. The location is one mile and a half south of the old historic town of Bedford, the county seat of Bedford County, in a region noted for its pure, invigorating air, salubrious climate, and beautiful and varied scenery. The medicinal virtues of the springs were knows as early as the year 1804. Since those early days, the resort has maintained a steady popularity with the tourist, pleasure-seeker, and invalid, and it may today be ranked among the best of the many excellent summer watering places which the country affords. In additions to the numerous attractions of the climate, scenery, etc., the visitor will find an exceedingly comfortable modern hotel, well equipped wsith the most recent improvements. A good orchestra is maintained during the season. The Magnesia Spring has been mainly instrumental in giving the place its reputation. It issues forth from an opening in the rock about three feet in length and eithteen inches in width, and flows about 2,000 galloons per hour, without interruption or remission, the year round. A recent examination shows it to be quite strong in magnesium salts, while carrying less lime. We present analyses of these… springs made in 1895 by Victor G. Bloede, analytical chemist of Baltimore:

Magnesia Spring
Sulphated-saline-calcic

One U.S. Galloncontains: Grains
Sodium carbonate -- 2.04
Sodium chloride -- 0.72
Magnesium sulphate -- 32.54
Magnesium carbonate -- 6.06
Potassium carbonate -- 0.38
Calcium sulphate -- 107.80
Lithium chloride -- 0.22
Silica -- 0.35
Iron oxide -- 0.05
Alumina -- 0.11
Ammonia -- 0.02
Nitrates and Nitrites -- None
___________
Total 150.29

Free carbonic acid 1.85
Water of crystallization
and volatile matter 36.41
___________
Total 188.55



Boiling Springs
Analysis of 1889 by Prof. E.T. Fristoe, of Columbian University, Washington D.C.

One US Gallon Contains: Grains
Potassium carbonate -- 0.20
Lithium carbonate -- 0.17
Magnesium sulphate -- 1.60
Sodium chloride -- 0.09
Sodium chloride -- Trace
Magnesium bicarbonate -- 0.42
Calcium bicarbonate -- 6.67
Iron Oxide and alumina -- 0.75
Silica -- 0.80
Phosphoric acid -- Trace
_________
Total 10.70


But what makes these springs so rich?
This area dates back over 480 million years, an is composed mainly of marine sedimentary rocks and volcanic rocks as well as ancient ocean floor. This area was deformed during plate collision and marks the first of several mountain building plate collisions. A cut of the mountains (See Sideling Hill Earthcache GC1TA7K) reveals elongated belts of the folded and thrust faulted rocks. These mountains were once higher than today’s Himalayan Mountain Range, which was also formed by continental collision.

The springs at Bedford issue forth from the Lower Heiderberg limestone, which forms the cliff-like walls which enclose the narrow valley. As the water flows across the limestone, it gathers its rich mineral content, and essentially erodes the limestone itself. This shelf is the beginning of the Sideling Hill deposit, which is part of the Eastern Continental Divide, which begins north in Potter County, PA and ends in Florida.

These limestone rich deposits of Bedford County vary greatly from their neighbors to the north-east and the south-west, which are the prime source of Anthricite Coal in Pennsylvania.

This cache will take you to a few simple stops at the front area of the resort. There are traditional geocaches located at several of the springs themselves, so please visit them as well.

At the above coordinates, find the answers to the following:
1) Historically, Sweet Springs consisted of how many sources?
2) When was one of the springs' sources discovered?
Next proceed to the south-east to the base of the stairs beside the bridge, and from the bronze plaque and answer the following:
3) The grounds at Bedford Springs included a trail which links the seven mineral springs as well as Shober’s Run. What is the name of the trail?


Proceed up the stairs to the bridge. About halfway across look to the north, and you will see the springs outlet into the creek below. (See Photo)
4) Describe the water flow on the day of your visit. Is the water flowing? Is it barely a trickle? Not at all?




Finish crossing the bridge and find the Mineral Springs sign and answer the following:
5) What was the recorded temperature of the Mineral Spring on May 28, 1825?


Finally, proceed due south 126 feet to answer the final question:
6) The Iron Spring issues forth from what?

If you would like, post a photo of the spring outlet on the day of your visit as well.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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