Georgia Natural Wonder #174 - Lithia Springs - Douglas County (Part 2). 1,663

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Georgia Natural Wonder #174 - Lithia Springs - Douglas County (Part 2)

Lithia Springs

We came to Douglas County for Sweetwater Creek State Park. Now admittedly there is not much to see presently at today's Natural Wonder of Douglas County, but it has a rich history of being world famous at one point. From an Internet site, they claim evidence of visitors over 4,000 years ago. Presidents Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, the Vanderbilt's, and Mark Twain stayed at the resort and drank Water from Lithia Springs.


Lithia Springs Water

There is a growing interest in preserving the ancient past all around our great country by people of all ages. In the state of Georgia there has been a prevailing perception that ancient archaeological sites are unimportant and should be destroyed to make room for modern development. This perception is changing with a new generation of people who believe, as we believe, that preserving the past protects and enriches the future. For years we have secretly been hard at work unearthing one of the great lost ancient wonders of the world. You simply can not imagine how difficult it has been as all our archaeological excavations have been by hand using shovels and muscle power, this is why it has taken years. Very few Americans know about Georgia's ancient Adena civilization that once ruled these lands over 4,000 years ago. Although the ancient past has been buried in the sands of time we now live in a new age of discovery and people of all ages are becoming interested in discovering and preserving the past. Our goal is to build an Archaeological Park to raise awareness about ancient America's past civilizations, the mound builders, who thousands of years ago built America's great pyramid mounds. We need your help, so please join our Lithia Explorers Society its Free, Fun, Educational, and Amazing! Be the first to have a guided tour of the Smiling Turtle Pyramid when it opens.



Lithia Spring Water flows from an ancient native American Indian healing spring where for thousands of years people journeyed to drink its health-giving water. Since 1888 this health enhancing mineral spring water has been bottled and delivered to the homes and offices of health seekers.


You can now order home or office delivery direct from the source, Lithia Springs GA.

2016 B.C.

Ancient Native American Healing Spring

For thousands of years, Lithia Springs has been a sacred Indian medicine Spring where many people throughout the ages journeyed to drink its health-giving water. Recent archaeological excavations at Lithia Springs' site have unearthed ancient Neolithic artifacts that are thousands of years old. These discoveries prove that people have journeyed to this sacred spring to heal their bodies, minds, and spirits since prehistoric times.
Giant Smiling Turtle, Giant Frog Rock, and Giant Stone Serpent have guarded the Lithia Spring Water temple for thousands of years.



Smiling Turtle Effigy, Lithia Springs GA

A Giant smiling Turtle effigy has guarded over the springs for thousands of years beckoning those who sought its healing water.



The ancient Americans believed the turtle is symbolic of long life and health and recent scientific research studies of lithium that naturally occur in Lithia water support this ancient wisdom.

Our Smiling Turtle Guardian

There are many types of turtles that live at Lithia Turtle Sanctuary. Yes, they are cute and they are shy.



The native Indians long ago called the land we live in today Turtle Island. The term originates mainly from oral tradition, in the tale of the westward travel of the Anishinaabe tribe on this land they knew as Turtle Island. The Turtle is also the universal symbol of Long life and health.



For thousands of years, a Smiling Turtle carved from solid granite has beckoned health seeker to come drink mother natures elixir of health, Lithia Mineral Spring Water.

Our Giant Frog Rock

Once upon a time, the Giant Frog Rock was the most famous tourist attraction in Douglas County, GA.



Everyone visited the Giant Frog Rock and took photos with it.



About 15 years ago the Department of Transportation (DOT) wanted to dynamite Frog Rock so that they could elevate and widen the road. Single handed, Gleda James (pictured above), fought the DOT and won to preserve this ancient wonder for future generations.



Sadly, it now lays abandoned in the city of Austell, adjacent to Lithia Medicine Spring.



From the AJC in 2019

Frog Rock in Austell will receive some attention soon from the city.

Brush around the ancient rock sculpture will be cut back, said Austell Community Affairs and Parks Departments Director Jim Graham on March 4 during the Austell City Council meeting.

Also, Graham said some trees will be knocked down to provide a clear trail to Frog Rock from the parking lot of Louise Suggs Memorial Park and the Frog Rock Disc Golf course, 6040 Spring St.



With City Council approval, other possible plans include building a gazebo near Frog Rock, setting up signage and building a party barn that would accommodate 200 people, Graham added.


Rocky trails in Louise Suggs Park.

Our Fire Bird Effigy

Standing on an ancient American step pyramid 25' above the ground Founder/Explorer Ian Simpson gestures to the ancient Fire bird effigy that he and his crew uncovered from the earth. About 10 years ago this ancient wonder was almost destroyed by the city who wanted to dynamite a path through Lithia Medicine Spring to build a sewer line. If it were not for local historian Gleda James the ancient fire bird would have been destroyed. Some say that the ancients carved this out of stone as a marker that points toward gold.


Fire Bird Effigy: Here I am proud of our discovery of a carved granite Fire Bird Effigy. The nose looks like an arrow head. The large eye is carved and in high relief. This ancient wonder more than 5,000 years old. This ancient place is perhaps one of the oldest stone temples in America. There are many discoveries that await us as we continue our archeological excavations.



Lithia Water Temple holds great mysteries and perhaps one of the greatest mysteries is the Rock Art or Petroglphs found on the its stone temple walls.



Petroglyphs (rock carvings From petro, meaning rock and glyph, meaning symbol) a form of rock art that consist of designs carved into the surface of natural rock. Forms include lines, dots, numbers, geometric shapes, human, animal, supernatural beings or astronomical images.
Amazing, fantastic, unbelievable are just some of the adjectives that describe the archaeological discoveries at Lithia Springs.


Pictured above is a kneeling laughing man who has a serpent coming from its head. If you look closely you see many humanoid figures that convey concepts.

1420 A.D.

Battle for the Healing Spring

In the late 14th century, the Cherokee migrated from Michigan to what is today Georgia. Guided by their Cheifs and medicine men, they desired to take control of Creek sacred healing spring guarded by a giant smiling turtle carved from stone by the ancients thousands of years before. To gain control and guardianship of the scared healing spring's water, the Cherokee would have to wage war against Georgia's Creek Indians. Instead of war, the two tribes agreed to play a lacrosse game that gave the winner guardianship over the sacred healing spring.



The Cherokee won the lacrosse game, and until 1833 the sacred medicine spring belonged to the Cherokee southern nation.

1513 A.D.

Ponce de Leon's Lost fountain of youth

Many significant historical events and sites are often shrouded in myth until someone discovers the truth. In 1513 the conquistador Juan Ponce de León arrived in Florida with three ships and 200 armed men. His quest was to discover an ancient fountain where life-extending waters flowed with gold.



Perhaps if Ponce de León had not died while journeying into what is today, Georgia, he would have found a prehistoric fountain where the life-extending water of Lithia Springs flowed where gold mines were abundant. Lithia Springs may indeed be Ponce de Leon's lost fountain of youth, and there is factual evidence to prove it.

1833 A.D.

The Cherokee's Trail of Tears

At the beginning of the 1830s, nearly 50,000 Cherokee lived on millions of acres of land in Georgia. Many were hunters, farmers, and gold miners who lived in modern era homes and villages. The Cherokee had their own written language and even libraries.



They also owned the ancient medicine spring we call today Lithia Springs GA. In 1830 Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, setting the stage for the forced removal of the Cherokee and the the infamous Trail of Tears in 1833.



1887 A.D.

Sweet water Park Hotel

In 1887 the 250-room Sweet Water hotel and health resort were opened in Lithia Springs, GA.



It was at the corner of S. Sweetwater Creek Road and Veterans Highway in Lithia Springs.



This first-class health resort was considered fifty years ahead of its time in offering its guests,electric lights, an intercommunication system, (the first in Georgia), indoor plumbing, custom made furniture from Michigan, European wines and linen.



Each guest was served complimentary Lithia Spring Water.

1887 Sweetwater Park Health Resort

In 1887 Sweet Water Park Hotel catered to the rich and famous. Presidents Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, the Vanderbilt's, and Mark Twain drank Lithia Spring Water that was purported to enhance health and longevity. A miniature train named "The Little Anna" took guest from the Sweet Water Hotel to Lithia Springs glass topped marble pavilion.



The Sweetwater Park Hotel was trendy for the times. It was the place to be and be seen.



Guest enjoyed the many amenities of the resort which included rooms with electricity and individuals baths, wide verandahs, excellent meals with European wines, and a train schedule that allowed guests to visit Atlanta for shopping or matinees and be back at the hotel by bedtime.



While the pictures aren’t helpful to me I have found some written descriptions that do lend assistance in allowing me to appreciate the beauty of this long departed landmark for Lithia Springs. I happened upon a few letters written by Madison J. Cawein while he stayed at the hotel during May, 1902.



Madison J. Cawein was from Louisville, Kentucky. During his career he published 36 books and wrote over 1500 poems. His efforts earned him the nickname “the Keats of Kentucky.” He is touted as having a lyrical way of describing nature and after reading his descriptions of the hotel grounds and surrounding areas I would have to agree.



Cawein, like many visitors to the Sweetwater Park Hotel, was in poor health and was hoping the famous Lithia waters would cure him.  Cawein wasn’t alone.  During the late 1800s and into the turn of the century hundreds of people visited the hotel for health reasons as well as for recreation. 



On May 8, 1902 Cawein described the hotel and surrounds in a letter to his friend, Lucien V. Rule. Rule was an author and Presbyterian minister who frequently ministered to prisoners. Cawein wrote:

…It is very picturesque and romantic around Lithia Springs, whose waters are doing me a great deal of good, I think.  I am also taking the baths…..



The woods here are overgrown with wild flowers; wild honeysuckle, wild phlox and calcanthus; and ferns! – in masses, sometimes above your waist.



The brook bubbles over beds of crystal, honestly and virtually speaking, - not figuratively, - for everywhere , in the fields, on the roads, in the woods and scattered boulders and pebbles and pieces of sparkling white spar, which is crystal of some sort.  I have seen lots of it and the creeks ripple and babble musically over it.



Near the [Sweetwater Park Hotel] is a place going absolutely to ruin now; in its time it was the Chautauqua, where revivals were held, meetings of all sort, for pleasure, religion and politics.



Vast buildings, built in a forest, ….and of fantastic yet beautiful architecture of the Moorish order, with towers and turrets and loggias; also a large amphitheater capable of seating thousands are slowly moulding to decay here. What was once an artificial lake, covering several acres, is now merely a frog-pond filled with mud and weeds in whose center an old boat is slowing rotting.



….in one spot there is a mound some twenty to thirty feet high up [which all around winds a road].  The road is scarcely discernible now, for the entire mound is overgrown with tame honey-suckle vines, commencing to bloom, and forms a fragrant tombstone for the dead-body of the old place lying mouldering there.  I love to climb to the top of this green and fragrant monument and stand there and watch the sunset in the west, and listen to the wind in the pines that seems mourning something lost and never to be found again – Never! Never!



It is a lovely place, altogether, this hotel, with its charming people and its beautiful grounds filled with flowers and trees, the holly, the roses and fountains, syringe bushes and mountain laurel in full bloom and over it all the blue sky of Georgia vibrating with the melody of birds, the mocking bird and the thrush, whose note is the sweetest I ever heard.

1887 Congress of Physicians Lithia Springs

In October 1887, the Congress of Physicians held their annual conference at the site of Lithia Springs, Georgia. Historical records show that prestigious doctors of the day prescribed Lithia Spring Water as a general health tonic.



It is a historic fact that many doctors of the period used natural remedies to address health issues.

1888 A.D.

World Famous Lithia Spring Vapor Baths

The Lithia Vapor Bath treatment included electric massage on a marble slab to sooth irritated skin, body, and mind. Many Sweet Water Park Hotels guests reported that they felt years younger after the vapor bath.



In 1888, the Piedmont Chautauqua Institute opened in Lithia Springs. Henry W. Grady, editor of the Atlanta Constitution, was the founder and gave the institute the motto "Enlightenment of the People". In 1888, over 30,000 tourists, sightseers, and health-seekers visited Lithia Springs GA.



The only remnants of this time that have survived are the natural springs and its historic Lithia water under the name brand Lithia, which is still bottled and sold in restaurants and health food stores.

1888 A.D.

Bottling Bowen Lithia Spring Water

In 1888 Bowden Lithia Springs Water was touted as “the finest of its kind ever discovered, being very rich in that rare bicarbonate of lithium, containing more of that priceless ingredient than all other so-called ‘Lithia’ water combined".



At the site of the ancient medicine, spring was a bottling facility where Bowden made their own glass bottles.



Lithia Spring Water was so popular there was a supply shortage for years.

1890 A.D.

The American Carlsbad

In 1890 a book entitled “The American Carlsbad” was written to tell the story of Bowden’s Lithia Spring Water and the Sweet Water Park Hotel.



Within the pages of this vintage book are fascinating details of how life was in this era which include testimonies from doctors and health seekers who tell of their personal experiences drinking Lithia Spring Water.

1937 A.D.

Louise Suggs and Lithia Spring Water



Louise Suggs, LPGA co-founder and Pro Golfer legend, learned how to master the game of golf on her grandfather’s golf course located at Lithia Springs, Ga. In her recently published book "And That's That" she states; "Looking back, when I was a kid none of us ever got sick. I suppose it makes sense, come to think about it, that it was the water." Her grandfather created a carbonated Lemon-Lime Lithia Spring Water drink called Spax.

2011 A.D.

Lithia Water Longevity Research

In August 2011, the European Journal of Nutrition published a scientific study authored by University of Jena, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Hiroshima Institute of Human Nutrition that concluded low-dose lithium found in Lithia waters promotes longevity in humans and metazoans.



In addition to this research, there have been geographical population studies in Brazil and Japan where Lithia spring water occurred in city water supplies concurred with these findings.

2014 A.D.

Ny Times September 13, 2014

On September 13, 2014, the NY Times published an informative article about the health benefits of trace amounts of Lithium in our diets.



As quoted; "LITHIUM has been known for its curative powers for centuries, if not millenniums. Lithia Springs, Ga., for example, with its natural lithium-enriched water, appears to have been an ancient Native American sacred site. By the late 19th century Lithia Springs was a famous health destination visited by Mark Twain and Presidents Grover Cleveland, William Howard Taft, William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt."


Nearby Austell even got in on the Hotel Resort business.

Douglas County (Part 2)

We continue with our history tangent on Douglas Country (Part 2). As a result of its proximity to Atlanta, Douglas County has experienced phenomenal growth. Interstate 20 runs through the county, thus allowing a short commute to Atlanta for many residents who work in the city. According to the 2010 U.S. census, the county's population is 132,403, a significant increase over the 2000 population of 92,174.


Old skyline Atlanta with Georgia Dome on I-20 eastbound from Douglas County..

A satellite campus of West Georgia Technical College and a branch of Mercer University are located in Douglas County. MCI operates a major switching center there. Annual events include A Taste of Douglasville, Hunter Harvest Arts and Crafts Festival, Pioneer Days, Kris Kringle Market and Tour of Homes, and the New Manchester Days.


Moonlight Run.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 201 square miles.


Low by the Hooch and Six Flags.

Douglas County's elevation above sea level ranges as low as 740 feet at the Chattahoochee River to as high as 1,340 feet; one of the county's highest elevation points lies inside the city of Douglasville. Andy Mountain, between Villa Rica and Winston - west of Douglasville along Bankhead Highway, has the highest elevation in Douglas County. Two other elevated summits are located in the county, known as Cedar Mountain at 1,257 feet, and Pine Mountain at 1,180 feet. No way, another Pine Mountain?


Foxhall Resort “A Refined Retreat for Outdoor Pursuits”

Douglas County sits in Georgia's Piedmont region, which makes its elevation vary due to many rolling hills that Douglas County sits on near the tail end of the Appalachian Mountains.



Long ago mills of Douglas County.



There are no high mountain peaks in Douglas County, just a range of ridges, hills and valleys.


And lots of Mills.


Mills and Trains.


Old Courthouse Douglasville, now a visitor Center.

The entirety of Douglas County is located in the Middle Chattahoochee River-Lake Harding sub-basin of the ACF River Basin (Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin).

Parks and recreation
   
Sweetwater Creek State Park is host to the ruins of a Civil War-era mill destroyed in General Sherman's campaign through Georgia. GNW #173

 

Hunter Park is located within the city limits of Douglasville, and it is home to the majority of the sports events held in Douglas County. It is home to the Douglas County Boys and Girls Club.The 83-acre Hunter Park offers a newly renovated athletic complex complete with several ball fields, tennis courts, trails, batting cages, playground, a community center with a ballroom, meeting rooms, dance studio, and classrooms.




   
Deer Lick Park is located in the northeast corner of the county and is the third-largest park in the county. It is also home to sporting events.



Deer Lick Park is 66 acres of park offering fields and courts for nearly every sport, fishing, trails, picnicking, a Family Fun Center with athletics, an activity center, playground, tennis and bocce courts, a dog park, skate park, aquatics center, and the state-of-the-art Dog River Library.


   
Woodrow Wilson Park and Lithia Springs Girls Ball Field are located in Lithia Springs next to Sweetwater Creek. The ball field has flooded during heavy rain storms.


   
Boundary Waters Aquatic Center opened in July 2005 in the southeastern section of the county, and it is home to the Douglas County swim team, the Stingrays. The center also provides aquatic therapy and swim lessons to the county's citizens for a low fee. Residents outside the county can use the center as well for a slightly higher fee.



Boundary Waters Park features 9 miles of trails open to hikers, joggers, bicyclists and equestrians.



Boundary Waters Park is a 500-acre park with plenty of athletic fields, horse trails, hiking trails, swimming pools, indoor pools, heated pools, aquatic center, fitness room, and more!



Boundary has River Trails that will eventually connect with the Chattahoochee River, like a water-based version of Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail.



Other parks in the county include:
 
Post Road Park

Post Road Park, located on Post Road, one mile south of the Post Road/I-20 interchange, includes a football field, two softball fields, concession stands, restrooms, and a small playground.


Post House demolished 1970's.
   
Clinton Nature Preserve

Clinton Nature Preserve, located at 8720 Ephesus Church Road one mile west of Post Road. The Post Road/Ephesus Church Road intersection is one-half mile south of the Post Road/Interstate 20 interchange. This 200-acre park was donated to Douglas County by Ms. Annie Mae Clinton. The park is required by Ms. Clinton's will to remain in its natural state as much as possible. The park contains nature trails, and open exploration areas. A half-mile walking track encircles the Junior League ADA accessible playground, the first of its kind in Douglas County. About one mile into the woods (by hiking), is the Carnes Cabin, a pre-Civil War residence, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.



If you’re into mountain biking, or you’re looking for somewhere to ride your own horses, the Clinton Nature Preserve is the place to go. Over 10 miles of premium Mountain Biking Trails, or walking trails if you prefer.


Visit the “Old Carnes House,”
   
Bill Arp Park

We talked about Bill Arp as the Lewis Grizzard of his day, in earlier post on Rome and Cartersville. We will do a tangent again with our next post as we tangent on the city of Bill Arp. Bill Arp Park is located near the intersection of Georgia Highway 5 and Pool Road, with entrances off both roads. The park includes a playground, 4 youth baseball fields, 1 regulation size football field, and 2 concessions stands.


Bill Arp Courthouse and School.
   
Fairplay Park
   
Fairplay Park located off of Highway 5 in southern Douglas County, Georgia. This park is home to the Fairplay Youth Center and boasts a meeting room, five baseball fields, and a playground for the kids.

L&R Alpaca Haven Farm

Come visit the family-owned L&R Alpaca Haven Farm!



They have been farming natural and hormone-free alpacas since July 2016.



They've been delivering crias (baby alpacas) every year.



They offer farm tours, events, and birthday parties!

Winston Park

Winston Park, located adjacent to Winston Elementary School on Bankhead Highway just east of its intersection with Post Road, includes a playground, seven youth baseball fields, two lighted tennis courts, a concession stand, and a meeting room.
   
Mount Carmel Ball Field

The Mt. Carmel Ball Park is located on Kent Drive, off Mt. Vernon Road, three-quarters of a mile north of Fairburn Road/Georgia Hwy. 92. The facilities include a playground, meeting room, two concession stands, restrooms, and four ball fields.


This park was hit hard by the flooding in 2009.

O.K. That was more a historic Natural Wonder today. We still have the Cities and Towns of Douglas County along with the Famous People. There is one more worthy Georgia Natural Wonder in Douglas County and we will feature that next week as we wrap up Douglas County.  To end today's post, we find there is an overload on Healthy Water GNW Gals on the Internet.