Ponce de Leon Springs (Atlanta) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ponce de Leon Springs |
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An engraving of the spring in 1879
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| Type | Mineral spring |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
Ponce de Leon Springs was a special mineral spring located in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States. From the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, it was a very popular place for tourists to visit. People believed the water had health benefits.
Later, the land around the spring became an exciting amusement park. However, by the 1920s, the park was taken down. The area then changed into places for businesses and shops. Today, part of the land is home to Ponce City Market and the Historic Fourth Ward Park.
Discovering Ponce de Leon Springs
A Special Spring in Atlanta
People in Atlanta knew about this spring since the early 1800s. It was about 2 miles (3.2 km) northeast of downtown Atlanta. In the mid-1800s, it became a popular spot for people to relax and enjoy the natural water.
The Fountain of Youth Legend
The water from the spring had many minerals. People thought these minerals were good for their health. Because of this belief, the spring was named after Juan Ponce de León. He was a Spanish explorer who famously searched for the legendary Fountain of Youth.
Getting There by Streetcar
By the 1870s, it was easier to visit the spring. A streetcar line was built from downtown Atlanta right to the spring. This route later became Ponce de Leon Avenue. Today, this is one of Atlanta's busiest streets.
From Park to Market
In the early 1900s, the spring's land was sold. Developers built an amusement park there. They even called it "the Coney Island of Atlanta." But by the 1920s, fewer people visited the amusement park. The land was then sold to Sears, Roebuck and Co.. They built a large store and distribution center. This building is now Ponce City Market, a popular place with shops, restaurants, and offices.
History of the Springs
Early Days of Mineral Spas
In the 1800s, many mineral spas became popular in the United States. These spas were built around natural mineral springs. Places like Saratoga Springs were famous tourist spots. People believed the mineral water had healing powers.
Georgia also had several mineral springs that became resorts. Ponce de Leon Springs was one of these. It was located in a low valley where two creeks met. A beautiful grove of beech trees surrounded the spring.
The Spring's First Owners
People in the area knew about Ponce de Leon Springs since at least the early 1800s. Between 1818 and 1820, a cattle rancher named John Young built a house nearby. By the 1830s, the spring was a source of drinking water for local families.
The water came from special rocks and contained iron. This made it "chalybeate" water. Because of its mineral content, people thought it was good for their health. In the 1860s, a retired doctor named Henry L. Wilson gave it the name Ponce de Leon Springs. He was thinking of the explorer's search for the Fountain of Youth.
Becoming a Popular Trolley Park
By the 1860s, John Armistead owned the spring. It became an important source of water for Atlanta. In 1870, it also became a popular place for people to take a day trip. Armistead even started bottling the water and delivering it to homes.
In 1872, an amphitheater and a dance pavilion were built near the spring. A local businessman started an omnibus service. This bus took people from downtown Atlanta to the spring for 50 cents. It helped more tourists visit the area.
The Streetcar Arrives
Richard Peters, who owned the Atlanta Street Railway, saw how popular the spring was. He decided to build a streetcar line to it. This line opened in June 1874. It followed the path that is now Ponce de Leon Avenue. The fare was 10 cents, which was double the usual price. This was because the spring was in a less populated area.
By 1875, The Atlanta Constitution newspaper called the spring "Atlanta's Charming Suburban Resort." A bath house was built, and vendors sold fruit and ice cream. A ten-pin bowling alley was added by 1879. The spring welcomed thousands of visitors each year. This popularity was part of a bigger trend of "trolley parks" across the country.
Changes in Ownership and Access
In May 1886, John Armistead started charging 5 cents to drink water from the spring. The Atlanta Street Railway worried this might upset their customers. So, the railway bought the land from Armistead the next year.
In 1890, the railway's president, W. A. Hemphill, hired a landscape designer. Julius Hartman planned to make the area even more beautiful. He added walking paths and created a 4-acre (1.6 ha) artificial lake called Ponce de Leon Lake.
Around this time, access to the park changed. While the park had previously been open to both African Americans and white Americans, though in separate areas, by 1887, African Americans were no longer allowed to enter the land.
The Amusement Park Era
In January 1903, a company bought 47 acres (19 ha) around the spring. They planned to build an amusement park. Construction began quickly. They built new buildings, a theater, a carousel, and a casino. Many other amusement rides were added, like a ping pong parlor, a gravity railroad, a Ferris wheel, and a penny arcade.
The new park quickly became known as "the Coney Island of Atlanta." It opened in June 1903 to thousands of visitors. Like the spring area before it, the amusement park also had a policy of racial segregation. African Americans were only allowed in if they were working as servants for white guests.
In 1906, a new group bought the park. They invested $50,000 to add more attractions. In 1907, the lake was filled in to build a ballpark. This ballpark, called Ponce de Leon Park, became home to the Atlanta Crackers, a Minor League Baseball team. It also hosted the Atlanta Black Crackers, a Negro league baseball team.
What the Area is Like Today
By the 1910s, the area around the spring started to develop more. In 1914, the Ford Motor Company built a large building nearby. This building was a factory, showroom, and office.
By the early 1920s, the amusement park was no longer as popular. In 1924, Sears, Roebuck and Co. bought the land. They built their new retail and distribution center there. The ballpark was torn down in 1966. The land became a shopping area called Midtown Place.
In 2011, the old Sears building was sold to developers. They turned it into Ponce City Market, a modern place with shops, restaurants, and homes. The old Ford building is now an apartment complex called the Ford Factory Lofts. Also, a large part of the original spring area is now the beautiful Historic Fourth Ward Park. The old railroad tracks next to the spring have become part of the BeltLine, a series of walking and biking paths around the city.
See also
- List of springs
