Andrews Geyser facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrews Geyser
Andrews Geyser in January, 2009, from its north side. An ice mound is beginning to form near the base.
Andrews Geyser Location in North Carolina
Location	Old Fort, North Carolina, United States
Nearest city	Asheville
Designation	Civil War Trails Program
Established	1885
Visitors	200,000 (in 2008)
Governing body	Town of Old Fort

Andrews Geyser is a special man-made fountain located in Old Fort, North Carolina. It's in McDowell County. This amazing fountain was built way back in 1885. It was named after Colonel Alexander Boyd Andrews. He was an important person from North Carolina.

Colonel Andrews was a Vice President of the Southern Railway Company. He helped build the railroad between Old Fort and Asheville, North Carolina. This was a very difficult job in the late 1800s.

Why Was Andrews Geyser Built?

The fountain had two main purposes when it was first built. First, it was a beautiful feature for the Round Knob Hotel. This hotel was popular with visitors.

Second, and very importantly, it was a tribute. It honored the many workers who died building the railroad. About 120 men lost their lives during this tough construction. The railroad went through a very hard part of the land. It even crossed the Eastern Continental Divide through the Swannanoa Tunnel.

A Sight for Travelers

The fountain was also designed to be eye-catching. Train passengers could see it several times as they traveled. The railroad tracks went up 13 miles and through seven tunnels. The journey ended at the top of Swannanoa Gap. Seeing the geyser made the trip more interesting.

The Geyser's Journey: From Disrepair to Restoration

Sadly, the Round Knob Hotel burned down in 1903. After that, the fountain started to fall apart. It wasn't working well anymore.

But in 1911, a kind person stepped in. His name was George Fisher Baker. He was a rich banker and a generous person from New York. Mr. Baker had been friends with Colonel Andrews. He decided to pay for the fountain to be fixed.

A New Location and Name

The Southern Railway Company didn't want the fountain in its old spot anymore. So, a new five-sided pool was built. It was about 70 yards away, across Mill Creek. The pipes and the water nozzle were moved to this new spot. This is where the fountain is today.

The Town of Old Fort was given the rights to the fountain's pool and water pipe. At this time, the fountain was officially named Andrews Geyser.

Andrews Geyser Today

The Town of Old Fort still takes care of Andrews Geyser. The area around it is now a public park. People can visit and enjoy the fountain.

The geyser was fixed up again in the 1970s. It was officially reopened on May 6, 1976. Signs at the park tell visitors about Mr. Fisher's help in the early 1900s. They also mention how local citizens helped keep the fountain running in the 1970s.

How Andrews Geyser Works

When it's running, Andrews Geyser shoots water high into the air. It can reach about 80 feet! That's as tall as an eight-story building.

The water for the geyser comes from a pond. This pond is located at the Inn on Mill Creek, a local Bed & Breakfast. The Inn's property has the original dam built by the railroad a long time ago. The pond is formed by this dam, using water from the Long Branch of Mill Creek.

Water Pressure and Flow

A large cast iron pipe, about 6 inches wide, runs from the dam. It goes underground for about two miles downhill to the fountain. The water then comes out of a small half-inch nozzle pointing up.

The big difference in height, about 500 feet, creates a lot of pressure. This pressure is what makes the water shoot so high. Sometimes, if there hasn't been much rain, the fountain can't run all the time. If the pond's water level gets too low, the fountain might only run for short periods.