A GUIDE
TO
THE VIRGINIA SPRINGS:

GIVING, IN ADDITION TO

The Routes and Distances,

A DESCRIPTION OF THE SPRINGS,

AND ALSO OF

THE NATURAL CURIOSITIES

OF

THE STATE.

STAUNTON, VA.:

ROBERT COWAN.

PHILADELPHIA:
THOMAS, COWPERTHWAIT & CO.
1851.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851,
BY ROBERT COWAN,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the
Western District of Virginia.

C. SHERMAN, PRINTER.

PREFACE.

So frequent has been the demand for some Guide to the Virginia Springs, of portable dimensions, and nothing of the kind having as yet appeared, we have been induced to compile the following little work, hoping to meet, in some measure, the wants of visiters to these Watering-Places. In giving the various routes, we have endeavoured to describe the Springs, and also the Natural Curiosities, as we proceed.

Other matter than that for which we are indebted to the proprietors of the Springs, has been gathered from various publications.

A number of books and pamphlets have been written about the Mineral Waters of Virginia, but in no single one, we believe, has an account been given of so many watering-places as in this.

There are many other Springs in the State whose waters, no doubt, contain valuable medicinal qualities, perhaps even exceeding several of which an account has been given in this work; but as we have not been able to get information with regard to them,—not knowing, in fact, even their localities,—we must, of course, much as we regret it, omit them.

There are, doubtless, also, many other great natural curiosities beside those of which we have given a description; but as we lay no claim to authorship,—merely being a compiler,—and having no information concerning them, we will have to leave them as we have done the Springs referred to in our last paragraph.

February, 1851.

GUIDE

TO THE SPRINGS.

ROUTES TO THE VIRGINIA SPRINGS.

From Washington City to the Virginia Springs there are two main leading routes. One is down the Potomac River (passing in sight of Mount Vernon) to Acquia Creek, forty-five miles; thence by railroad to Fredericksburg, fourteen miles; to the Junction, thirty-seven miles; to Louisa Court-House, thirty-seven miles; to Gordonsville, thirteen miles; and to Charlottesville, twenty-one miles. One mile west of this place is the University of Virginia, one of the most flourishing institutions in the Union. The buildings are fine, and in full view from the road.

Three miles southeast of Charlottesville is Monticello, the seat of Thomas Jefferson. The railroad not having, as yet, been completed beyond Charlottesville, we proceed thence by stage via Cox, Brookesville, Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, and Fishersville to Staunton, thirty-eight miles. In this place are the Western Insane Asylum, and the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, two noble state institutions. Staunton is much resorted to during the summer by persons from the tide-water region of the state.

Stopping here, we have an opportunity of visiting Weyer's Cave and the Chimneys, two natural curiosities of this county (Augusta). Weyer's Cave, the most celebrated of these curiosities, is 17 miles northeast of Staunton. "This is the most remarkable cavern at present known, surpassing the Grotto of Antiparos, Fingal's Cave in Staffa, and the far-famed Mammoth Cave of Kentucky, which are remarkable only for dimensions.

"Weyer's Cave, for its extent and variety, the singularity of its stalactitic concretions, the disposition of its festooning, the fantastic displays of its drapery, and the sublimity and grandeur of its scenery, is not surpassed by anything in nature.

"The Guide's House is situated about eight hundred yards from the entrance to the Cave. In going from the house to the cave, you pass near Madison's Cave, which is in the same ridge, and only three hundred yards from it. Madison's Cave was known and visited as a curiosity long before the discovery of Weyer's Cave, but is now passed by and neglected, as being unworthy of notice, compared with its more imposing rival, although it has had the pen of a Jefferson to describe its beauties.

"Weyer's Cave is about 2500 feet in length, yet its exploration does not in a direct line exceed 1800 feet. It is divided into several apartments of various sizes, some of which have received the names of 'Washington's Hall,' 'Congress Hall,' 'Jefferson's Hall,' 'The Senate Chamber,' 'Solomon's Temple,' &c. A distinguished Bostonian, in writing of this Cave, says,—'I have twice visited the Caverns of Matlock and Castleton, in Derbyshire, England, and have twice walked in the subterranean streets of Herculaneum, in the Catacombs of Rome, the tombs of the Scipios, and seen the subterranean wonders of the old world; but must confess Weyer's Cave in Virginia exceeds them all, in the beauty of its natural ornaments, and in its general effect. It is as dry, as well graded, and as easy of access, as European caverns. Washington's Hall, with its splendid hangings, its well-wrought fretwork, and the wonderful freak of Nature in placing a statue in the centre, is alone worth a pilgrimage to behold.'

"'Veni vidi victus sum!'

"The temperature of the Cave is 54½° of Fahrenheit, and never changes. It is therefore apparently warm in winter, and cool in summer.

"Ladies should be provided with a light shawl, and thick shoes, in visiting this Cave."

The other curiosity mentioned—the Cyclopean Towers, for many years known by the name of "The Chimneys," is about 16 or 18 miles north of Staunton. These summits or towers, of which there are seven, appear like so many antique chimneys in the midst of a grove. They rise almost perpendicularly from the bed of a stream, to the height of about 60 or 70 feet, with projections like Gothic cornices.

SPRINGS.

There are several Mineral Springs in this county, none of which are much visited by persons from a distance. The most noted of these are the Augusta Springs, (formerly called Stribling's Springs,) about 13 miles northeast from Staunton. "The water is strongly impregnated with sulphuretted hydrogen, and is said to equal the celebrated Harrowgate, in England."

Crawford's Springs, 17 miles west of Staunton, on what is called the Free Turnpike, are also visited by persons from the neighbourhood, and said to contain valuable medicinal qualities.

Union Spring is on the west side of the Blue Ridge, 20 miles east of Staunton; and the Lebanon White Sulphur about 20 miles northwest of Staunton, on the road leading from Harrisonburg to the Warm Springs.

From Staunton to the Springs in western Virginia the route is, via Buffalo Gap 10 miles, Deerfield 12 miles, Cloverdale 8 miles, thence to Bath Alum Springs, 15 miles.

"This new and elegant establishment is situated at the eastern base of the Warm Spring Mountain, on the route through Virginia by way of the Valley of the great Kanawha to Point Pleasant and Guyandotte on the Ohio River. It is very pleasantly located both in point of climate and scenery; the atmosphere is pure, bracing, and exhilarating; the mountain scenery diversified and picturesque. To the west and northwest is the Big Piney Mountain; on the southwest is Little Piney Mountain. These ranges lie parallel with the Warm Spring Mountain, and nature seems to have separated them for a road to the Far West. Through the 'gap' in these mountains the visiter enjoys a fine view of the celebrated