Adams, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Adams
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Resort
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Adam Springs Plunge on 26 July 1916
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 Adams
Location in California
Adams
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Lake County |
| Elevation | 2,815 ft (858 m) |
Adams is a small, unincorporated community in Lake County, California. It was once known as Adams Springs, a popular summer resort built around natural mineral water springs.
Contents
What Are Adams Springs?
The Adams Springs are natural springs located next to Big Canyon Creek. They are found south of Seigler Mountain at an elevation of about 2,815 feet (858 meters). These springs are in a deep valley, also called a ravine.
The rocks around the springs are mostly sandstone and shale. Higher up, these rocks are covered by volcanic rock like basalt or andesite.
In 1914, people described the main spring water as "alkaline carbon-dioxated." This means it had a slightly basic pH and was fizzy with carbon dioxide gas. The water was pleasant to drink and had a temperature of about 50°F (10°C). It was bottled for sale during the summer. The spring water also had a unique smell and taste, like petroleum.
Where is Adams Located?
Adams Springs is about 3 miles (5 km) north of Whispering Pines. It is 7 miles southwest of Lower Lake and 30 miles north of Calistoga.
Adams is north of Hobergs and south of Loch Lomond. The CA175 highway borders it to the west. The Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest surrounds it on the other three sides. The Adams Springs Golf Course is located across CA 175, south of Adams. The zip code for Adams is 95461.
History of Adams Springs Resort
How the Springs Were Discovered
The natural springs were first discovered by Charles Adams in 1869. He bought the land in 1872. A small campground with tents was set up near the springs for visitors.
Developing the Resort
Around 1885, a doctor named William Robert Prather bought Adams Springs. He was the son of a successful dentist. Dr. Prather later expanded his land to about 5,000 acres. He worked to turn the springs into a high-quality health spa and resort.
Development of the resort began in the late 1800s. A large drain pipe was placed in the stream bed to handle storm water. The ravine was also widened and leveled to make room for buildings.
Dr. Prather even wrote to Thomas Edison in the late 1890s. Edison gave him advice on how to build a Pelton wheel in Big Canyon Creek. This wheel helped generate electricity for the resort. Dr. Prather also planted fruit trees, ran a farm, and raised cattle where the Adams Springs Golf Course is today. He added more cabins and campsites and advertised the resort widely.
Popularity and Decline
The resort became very popular around 1900. A post office operated at Adams from 1908 to 1960. By 1910, the resort had a large hotel made of wood, along with several cottages and tents. There was also a swimming pool on the hillside, filled with water piped from the stream.
While some people visited for the water's health benefits, it was mostly a fun summer vacation spot. The hotel was well-equipped, and there were many cottages. The resort could host up to 350 guests at a time.
In 1927, Dr. Prather built a large new hotel right on the edge of Big Canyon. It had many windows and a big covered deck. Before World War II (1939–1945), a band from Merced would play dance music in the evenings. Visitors often drove up from San Francisco for the weekend.
Dr. Prather passed away in 1938. His second son, Clarence Prather, had already taken over managing the resort. Sadly, the new hotel caught fire and burned down in 1943. After this, Clarence Prather ran the resort for a few more years, but it lost money. He eventually sold off the property.
In the 1960s, the remaining buildings were declared unsafe and were destroyed by burning. What was left of the resort was completely destroyed in the Valley Fire of 2015.
See also
In Spanish: Adams (California) para niños
