Blue Springs State Park

History

Harrison's Hotel, built in 1890, was among the first efforts to turn the village of Blue Springs into a health spa. Ten years later, J.T.E. Whigham began work on the Blue Springs Hotel, which eventually featured 28 rooms and modern bathhouse. In 1913, the spring pool was lined with concrete and another smaller pool designed for use by children was added to the site. The area became a popular spot for political rallies, three-day horse-trading events, and annual reunions of Confederate soldiers. The large pool remained in operation until about 1938. J.D. McLaughlin sold the property to the state resulting in creation of the state park in 1963.

Features

At the entrance to the park is a stone monument dedicated to Dr. James Daniel McLaughlin (1880-1953), a medical doctor who attended Atlanta College for Physicians and Surgeons and the medical extension program of the University of Alabama in Mobile.

Activities and amenities

• Swimming: The natural spring for which the park is named has a sandy bottom, pumps 3600 gal of water per minute and stays at a constant temperature of 68 °F. Swimming (without lifeguards) is permitted.
• Camping: The park has modern and primitive campsites, rental cabins, and rental campers.
• Fishing: A small pond is stocked with catfish, bass, and bream.
• Picnicking: The park's picnicking facilities include pavilions for rent.
• Playground: A playground made from 100% recycled material with two main structures suitable for children ages 2–5 and 5-12 and a large sandbox for younger children was added in 2014.
• Volleyball: The park's sand volleyball court offers tournaments in spring and summer.
• Hiking: The Magnolia Trail, along with two short connector trails, opened in 2018. The trail crosses 2 miles of southeast Alabama forest and provides views of the west fork of the Choctawhatchee River. The trailhead is located in the park with most of the trail traversing the adjacent Forever Wild Blue Springs State Park Addition.

References

References

1. {{cite gnis. 154990. Blue Springs
2. Thomasson, Curtis. (June 29, 2019). "Whigham, McLaughlin families are united through marriage". Andalusia Star.
3. "Blue Springs State Park". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
4. Thomas V. Ress. (August 5, 2015). "Blue Springs State Park". Alabama Humanities Foundation.
5. "New Hiking Trail Opens". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
6. Sulzby, James Frederick. (1960). "Historic Alabama Hotels and Resorts". The University of Alabama Press.
7. "A famous spring in Alabama moved twice before finally settling down". Alabama Pioneers.
8. "Swimming". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
9. "Fishing". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
10. "Pavilions". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
11. "Playground". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
12. "Volleyball". Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.