Estill Sulphur Springs EarthCache

The city of Irvine, named for Col. William Irvine, who was an early settler, was founded in 1812. Located half a mile from Irvine is Estill Springs, once a favorite of the Shawnee Indians. The spring had “white sulphur” water, famous for its healing purposes. Daniel Boone often made his stops at the springs and cooled off in the magical clear water. The Estill Springs, half a mile from Irvine, have been celebrated as a watering place and have claim to historic interest that dates by the days of early exploration of Kentucky. The view from the top of Sweet Lick Knob, at the foot of which the white sulphur water gushed out as clear as crystal, is one of the grandest and most romantic known.

This is all that remains of the old cabin built on the grounds of the "Old Estill Springs Hotel and Spa." The hotel and sulfur springs were a major attraction around the turn of the 20th century.

is the shed that contains the sulfur springs wells. Millions of people came to gather gallons of water from each well. Many people thought that the waters had healing powers.

A large spring house has covered the springs and offered a place of recreation for people interested in obtaining the white sulphur water, famous through the many years for it's health and coolness. Later a large hotel was built, probably in the 1830's, and the area became a well known resort which was visited many times by Henry Clay of Lexington, Major Curtis F. Burnham of Richmond and many other notable Kentuckians,as well as persons from other states.

The first record of the Springs is said to have been written by a Frenchman who, with a party of Indians, marched from what is now the present city of Detroit to the location of Mobile, Alabama. This explorer mentioned it in his journal. The next record is said to have been made by the McAfee party which camped one night on a route of march from the fort at Harrodsburg to Virginia. It is said that Daniel Boon and his companions often stopped at the Springs during their explorations of this area of Kentucky. The Springs property is noted for the large oak and ask trees, many considered to be at least 300 years old, some of which are still standing.

The original Springs tract remained the property of Green Clay of Madison County until his death. The property was then sold by Green Clay's two sons, S.B. and B.J. Clay to isaac Mize. The property has had several owners down through the years and is now in the possession of heirs of Mrs. David Andrew (Lena) Wallace. Mrs. Wallace purchased the Springs property after the hotel burned December 14, 1924, and constructed a colonial brick home where she lived until her death on November 20, 1956.

During the later years in which the hotel and springs were used as a resort, the property was owned by Harvey Riddell, a lawyer, son of the iminent Judge Robert Riddell of Irvine and a brother of Judge Hugh Riddell, also of Irvine. Elliott Riddell, another son of Judge Robert Riddell and his wife, the former Laura Embry, were proprietors of the resort, highly popular under their care. It is said that people came from miles around to attend the parties and dances held in the large ballroom of the Estill Springs Hotel and was always patronized by very high class people. Many love matches were made here.

Estill Springs was the scene of many important happenings. The famed "Old Infantry Volunteers" of the Eighth Regiment was organized there by Colonel Sidney M. Barnes, September 14, 1861, while Colonel Barnes owned the property. Many interesting references to early Civil War happenings at or near Estill Springs have been made.

A Reunion of Morgan's (General John H. Morgan) Men was held at Estill Springs, August 20-22, 1924. Mr. J.B. White, who attended the reunion was the father of Mr. Lena Wallace. Mrs. Margaret White, sister of Mrs. Lena Wallace, presently resides in the original home.

The water in an Estill Springs flows from an aquifer, which is a layer of very porous rock or sediment, usually sandstone, capable of holding and transmitting large quantities of water. The geologic conditions necessary for an Estill Springs are an inclined aquifer sandwiched between impervious rock layers above and below that trap water in it. Water enters the exposed edge of the aquifer at a high elevation and percolates downward through interconnected pore spaces. The water held in these spaces is under pressure because of the weight of water in the portion of the aquifer above it.

If a well was drilled from the land surface through the overlying impervious layer into the aquifer, the pressure would cause the water to rise in the well. In areas where the slope of the aquifer is great enough, pressure would drive the water above ground level in a spectacular, permanent fountain. Springs similar to Estill Sulphur Springs can occur in similar fashion where faults or cracks in the overlying impervious layer allow water to flow upward. The water from an Estill Springs is usually cold and free of organic contaminants, making it desirable for drinking, however I do not encourage anyone to drink the water at this site!

The water from this well has the strong odor of sulphur, hence the name Estill Sulphur Springs. The origin of the smell is HYDROGEN SULFIDE gas.

Hydrogen sulfide gas occurs naturally in some groundwater. It is formed from decomposing underground deposits of organic matter such as decaying plant material. It is found in deep or shallow wells and also can enter surface water through springs, although it quickly escapes into the atmosphere. Hydrogen sulfide often is present in wells drilled in shale or sandstone.

The old fat turtle I saved from drowning in the springs. Kinda reminded me of another old fat turtle I seen on the trail earlier this year

While the 'rotten egg' smell may be offensive to some, the water is safe to drink unless extremely high levels of sulfate minerals exist, which is extremely rare.

When driving to the earthcache site, you will turn onto a private drive that goes to the Springs. Stay on the drive and take the right fork of the drive. Do not worry about the “No Trespassing” sign to the left side of the road. The sign is for the property of the home next to the Springs. Please be respectful when visiting. If anyone asks what you are doing, tell them Cecelia Bonny allowed you to take pictures of the Springs.

Do not visit this Earthcache before 9 am or after 6 pm.

To get credit for this EC, post a photo of you with the Estill Sulphur Springs pavilion in the background, the spring, or the historical road marker in the back ground and please answer the following questions.

1. Estimate the flow of water from the springs, is it trickling of gushing?

2. Describe the smell of the springs.

Cav Scout has earned GSA's highest level

Do not log this EC unless you have answered the questions and have a picture ready to post! Logs with no photo of the actual cacher logging the find or failure to answer questions or negative comments will result in a log deletion without notice. Exceptions will be considered if you contact me first (I realize sometimes we forget our cameras or the batteries die). You must post a photo at the time of logging your find. If your picture is not ready then wait until you have a photo.

Sources of information for the EarthCache quoted from the Kentucky Geological Society. I have used sources available to me by using google search to get information for this earth cache. I am by no means a geologist. I use books, internet, and ask questions about geology just like 99.9 percent of the geocachers who create these great Earth Caches. I enjoy Earth Caches and want people to get out and see what I see every time I go and explore this great place we live in.