Hampton Springs, Florida facts for kids
Hampton Springs is a special place located about four miles from Perry in Taylor County, Florida. It was once home to the famous Hampton Springs Hotel, which sadly burned down in 1954.
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A Popular Past: The Hampton Springs Hotel
The Hampton Springs Hotel was once known as "Dixie's Famous Spa." It was very popular in the early 1900s. This was a time when Taylor County was growing fast because many railroads met there.
Famous Visitors and Sulphur Springs
Many important people visited the hotel. Even Theodore Roosevelt, a former U.S. President, stayed there! Royalty from faraway lands also came to see this special place.
Guests loved to swim in the hotel's sulphur swimming pool. This pool was fed by a natural spring. The spring water flowed into a creek, which then joined the Fenholloway River. People believed the sulphur water was good for their health.
What Remains Today
Even though the hotel is gone, you can still see parts of it. The ruins of the swimming pool, old pathways, and even a goldfish pond are still there.
Taylor County has worked to make the site a nice place for everyone to visit. They added picnic tables, a walking bridge over the river, and parking.
The Pool's Journey: Filled and Restored
In 2018, the historic swimming pool was filled in. This was done to help keep the area safe and prevent damage.
However, many local people loved the pools and had helped take care of them for years. They wanted the pools to be open for swimming and visiting again. Because of their efforts, the county decided to restore the pools to their original condition. Now, people can continue to enjoy them for swimming and sightseeing!
Images for kids
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A marker showing the history of Hampton Springs.
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An old photo of the Hampton Springs Hotel.
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Another view of the historic hotel.
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The hotel's grand entrance.
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Guests enjoying the hotel grounds.
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A postcard view of the hotel.
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The hotel's swimming pool in its prime.
