The Glenn Springs Resort Hotel

A Storey'd Past

You often hear about a person, place or location that has a "Storied" past... Glenn Springs literally has a "Storey'd" past.  Henry Storey was granted land in the Glenn Springs area by the King of England in 1752.  Popular legend holds that indians living in the area discoverd it's healing powers when a brave fell deathly sick near the springs, drank some of the water, and after several days, arose cured.  The story quickly circulated among white settlers and soon Indian and Anglo-American's were sharing the powerful water.  During this time, General George Washington is said to have stopped by the springs on his way to Savannah.

Glenn Springs did not get its name until 1825 when John B. Glenn purchased the property and constructed an Inn for guests to come and enjoy the water.  The popularity of the Inn continued to grow and soon there were no vacancies at the Inn.  In 1835 a stock company was formed to build a large resort hotel for the tourists.

The Water

A prominent 60 year old South Carolina woman was brought to Glenn Springs  in 1840 on a bed with severe stomach problems.  Her stomach was intolerant of all food; to such a degree that she was severely emaciated and fearfully weak.  At first, a teaspoonful of water was as much as she could retain.  For days a larger dose waould nauseate her intensely, but by the end of a month she could drink and retain two or three tumblers full of the water in succession.  By the end of the season, she could walk up and down the steep hill to the srping and eat anything she liked.  She lived well for the next 30 years and returned each summer to the springs.

The Glory Days

For nearly 60 years (1836 - 1894) the resort maintained a strong business mostly through word of mouth and returning guests.  By 1894, the hotel was once again deemed to small to accomodate the demand and under new ownership, expanded to over 58,000 square feet and  accomodated 500 persons.   The signature feature of the hotel was the more than 580 linear feet of piazzas and elegance of the dining room finished in oiled and polished curly pine walls. 

The Glenn Springs water was not only enjoyed locally, but bottled and shipped throughout the United States and parts of Europe.  For many years Glenn Springs was the official water of the United States Senate.

Tragic Endings

In the late 1930s, the great depression took its toll on the resort and a devestating fire swept through the closed hotel in 1941.  The fire was an end of an era for the grand hotel, but the Glenn Spring still provided local residents and the occasional visitor a refreshing drink of the powerful elixer.

A Bright Future with a new Mission

Soon the hotel will rise from the ashes with a new mission for Glenn Springs Academy.. look for exciting announcements coming soon!