Bladon Springs State Park in Alabama - Saratoga of the South

Bladon Springs was named for the original owner of the property, James Bladon. James Conner opened the property to the public in 1838 as a spa because of the 4 mineral springs located on the property. The waters from the mineral springs were known to all living in the area to have "curative properties". A state geologist, Professor Richard T. Brumby analyzed the water from the springs in 1845 and found "sulphur, carbonis acid, crenic and hypocrenic acids, muriate of soda, carbonate of soda, carbonate of lime, carbonate of magnesia, and carbonate protoxide of iron".

By 1845 Bladon Springs had become the most well known spa in the state, comparable to any other spa in the South. People came from all over and cottages were built to house about 100 guests. The following year, the largest wooden hotel in the state was built as the centerpiece of the spa. The hotel boasted spacious rooms, great white pillars, beautiful stairways and mullioned windows. This hotel was designed in the grand Greek Revival style and featured a two-story veranda across the full length of the hotel. There were two main floors supported by a full raised brick basement. The hotel could accommodate 200 guests and featured amenities like a large ballroom, a billiard room, bowling alley, skating rink and a full bar in the basement level. A large lattice pavilion surrounded the entire main spring. There were bath houses, croquet grounds and a large pergola. It was quite a place in it's day and earned the nickname, "Saratoga of the South".

Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert of Mobile, who later became a glamorous world society leader, entered this description of Bladon Springs in her diary on August 29, 1847: "I have recently visited a Watering Place, in Western Alabama, called Bladon Springs. I found it a perfect 'Balm of Gilead'. The waters are wonderful, for their health giving qualities. They resemble greatly the far famed waters of Germany. The Seltzer and the Spa. The country around is highly romantic. Tall pines, with their mysterious whisperings encircle a spot, like an oasis, filled with verdant Elms, Walnut, and Hickory."

The town of Bladon Springs also developed around the hotel and spa. The hotel continued limited operations during the Civil War and was back to full operation by 1870. At the turn of the century, mineral springs began to lose their popularity, the hotel and spa fell on hard times and eventually closed. The state purchased the property in 1934. All structures built on the site have either burned down or been demolished. The mineral springs are all that remain today.

The RV Camp/Campground/Resort park is a great place to enjoy a pleasant day in the country, have a picnic or just about any family activity. Facilities include 10 modern campsites with water, 30 amp electricity, sewer connections and a picnic table and grill. Restrooms are available but there are no shower facilities. Campsite spent for $20 per night plus a 4% lodging tax.There are also picnic areas , shelters with grills for daytime and nighttime family outings, and a playground. Pavilions can be rented for $25/day. Weather in the summer is normally in the 90's during the day, 60's at night. Winter daytime highs are in the 50's, lows in the 30's.
Admission fee is .50 for adults, .25 for children under the age of 13.
Nearby attractions are the Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge and the Coffeeville Lock & Dam which provides a great place for fishing.

The 357 acre Bladon Springs State Park is operated by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and is located in southwest Alabama, Choctaw County, one mile north of the town of Bladon Springs. For more information, call 251-754-9207, or US Mail to : Bladon Springs State Park, 3921 Bladon Road, Silas, AL 36919.