Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion
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The Blue Sulphur Springs Resort in 1857, with the pavilion visible on the left
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 Location in West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Location | Co. Rt. 25, 9 mi. N of Alderson, Blue Sulphur Springs, West Virginia |
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| Area | 30 acres (12 ha) |
| Architect | Buster, George Washington |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 92001481 |
| Added to NRHP | October 29, 1992 |
The Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion is a historic building in Blue Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It was built in the Greek Revival style, which looks like ancient Greek temples. This pavilion is the only part left of a big resort from the 1800s called the Blue Sulphur Springs Resort.
The pavilion was built to protect a special sulphur spring. It has twelve columns holding up a square roof and is mostly made of brick. The pavilion was built in 1834 when the resort first opened. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 29, 1992, which means it's an important historical site.
Contents
What Does the Pavilion Look Like?
The Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion sits on a square base. Each side of the base is about 32 feet long. This base is made of brick with stone on the outside.
Columns and Roof
Twelve columns stand on the base, making the pavilion open and airy. These columns are made of brick covered in plaster. They are built in a simple style, similar to ancient Greek columns. The top part of the pavilion, called the frieze, is plain and made of wood. The roof is shaped like a pyramid with four sides.
The Spring Inside
Inside the pavilion, there is a marble basin. The sulphur spring flows into this basin. The water comes out at a steady rate and is always cool, around 58 degrees Fahrenheit. This pavilion is special because it's the only resort pavilion in West Virginia. It's also one of the few buildings in the countryside built in the Greek Revival style.
History of the Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion
The Pavilion was built in 1834. This was the same year the Blue Sulphur Springs Resort first opened its doors. A man named George Washington Buster built the resort. It got its name, Blue Sulphur Springs, because the water from the springs had a shiny, iridescent blue color.
The Grand Resort Days
The original resort was quite large. Besides the Pavilion, it had a three-story hotel with 200 rooms. There was also a bathhouse where guests could enjoy the spring water. Many famous people visited the resort in the 1840s. These included military leader Robert E. Lee, politician Henry Clay, and even Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren.
People believed the sulphur spring water was good for their health. The resort was a popular place for relaxation and healing.
Decline and War
In the 1850s, the Blue Sulphur Springs Resort started to lose popularity. Other resorts, like The Greenbrier, became more popular. The economy also slowed down. The resort closed in 1859. After that, it became a school for Baptist ministers called Allegheny College, but the college closed in 1861.
During the American Civil War, both sides used the resort buildings. Soldiers used them as camps and hospitals. In 1864, the Union Army burned down most of the resort. They did this to stop the Confederate Army from using the buildings. Only the Pavilion survived the fire.
Where is the Pavilion Located?
The Blue Sulphur Springs Pavilion is in a valley. It sits where two smaller valleys, Kitchen Creek and Sawmill Hollow, meet. This area is known for its natural mineral springs in the Appalachian Mountains. The Pavilion is surrounded by countryside. It offers nice views of the valley around it.
