For this week’s blog, I decided to go a little bit
further south. This is a place that I have been to a handful of time, but I have
never tried to look into it. I also wanted an excuse to take a trip back to
this place, so this was the perfect opportunity! This week the blog is about
Blue Springs State Park. It is located about 30 minutes from Troy, Alabama in
the small town of Blue Springs, Alabama. Having the same name as the town makes
it much easier to find!
The town started to really build up in an attempt
to turn it into a health spa around 1890 with the construction of Harrison’s
Hotel. In 1900, a member of the town by the name of J.T.E. Whigham built
another hotel by the name of Blue Springs Hotel. It had 28 rooms and a modern
bathhouse as well. Three years later in 1913 the spring pools were given the
concrete lining that it has today and a smaller pool was added for children to
play in as well. The pools stayed open until 1938 when it was closed the first
time.
In the early days of the area, it was a popular spot
for political rallies, horse-trading events, and also Confederate soldier reunions!
Eventually the area was sold to the state of Alabama
by J.D. McLaughlin. In the 60s, Governor George Wallace went about restoring
state parks in Alabama. This also helped Blue Springs in its restoration and
creation in 1963.
The state park is located on 103 acres. When you first
enter the park, you see a decent sized pond that you can fish on and also ride
paddle boats on. When you pull to the left, you come to the two pools. They
have 3,600 gallons of the natural underground spring water pumping into them every
hour. It usually remains at a constant of 68 degrees. Which feels much colder
in the winter months. But it feels wonderful in the hotter ones! You just have
to be careful when swimming, because there is not a lifeguard that works at the
park. You have to swim at your own risk. There is a tunnel under the water that
shoots you from one pool into the other as well.
You can even camp in the park! They have rental cabins,
rental campers, and you can choose between the modern or primitive camping! That
can be found more towards the back of the park. There is also a playground for
children to play on as well. It is made of 100% recycled materials. Which I find
very neat and it looks great! There is also a sand volleyball court that holds tournaments
during the spring and summer.
In 2013, the park was expanded when Forever Wild Land
Trust purchased 100 acres to give hiking trails to the park. In 2018, the
Magnolia Trail was opened. It takes you through two miles of forest and gives a
view of the Choctawhatchee River as well.
Blue Springs State Park is a place I would recommend
for anyone to visit. There is not too much to see there, but the springs are worth
seeing in person. The clear water is incredibly fascinating to see. Every friend
I have taken to it has thoroughly enjoyed their time there as well. It only costs
$4 to enter. I hope you will be able to make the trip yourself one day too!
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