Bethesda: Marvelous spring cures colonel dunbar
Beginnings
John Schoenknecht writes of what was likely the first encounter of a small party sent by the Topographical Bureau of the United States Government with a spring of great virtue. The small party had been sent to retrieve some of the water in hopes of curing fifteen workers who had taken ill. They followed the Fox River to what was very likely the site of Bethesda Spring in Waukesha. Here they saw more than one hundred Potowatomi drinking, bathing in, and transporting water from the spring. In his wonderful book, The Great Waukesha Springs Era, 1868-1918, Schoenknecht details a more complete history of the springs in Waukesha and those associated with it. I will only attempt a brief history here.
After the Topographical Bureau of the U.S. Government crew left, the spring remained obscure until 1868 when Colonel Dunbar came to Waukesha due to the death of his mother-in-law. Dunbar had been diagnosed with diabetes and was told by his physician that he had only a short time left to live. The day after the funeral, he rode with Miss Clark, his sister-in law to see some real estate. In his testimonial he wrote: "I protested strongly against my going: finally, I reluctantly consented, feeling but little interest in, to me, earth's fast receding affairs, as I did not expect to live one day beyond the limit set by Dr. Willard Parker - six weeks." During his tour of the property, he became terribly thirsty and was given a tumbler to fill from one of the many springs on the property. He drank six tumblerfuls and felt much refreshed, then rested under the shade of a great oak. After a half hour rest he awoke and drank another six tumblerfuls and felt there was something wonderful in the water.
Colonel Dunbar continued to enjoy the water along with much better health and determined that he should help humanity. A short while later he made the benefits of the spring known. He eventually named the spring Bethesda, because he felt the Lord was merciful in leading him to the spring.
By August 1869, water was being shipped throughout Waukesha and nearby communities in large amounts and word about the marvelous spring spread. The Colonel and Bethesda Spring would change Waukesha forever.
John Schoenknecht writes of what was likely the first encounter of a small party sent by the Topographical Bureau of the United States Government with a spring of great virtue. The small party had been sent to retrieve some of the water in hopes of curing fifteen workers who had taken ill. They followed the Fox River to what was very likely the site of Bethesda Spring in Waukesha. Here they saw more than one hundred Potowatomi drinking, bathing in, and transporting water from the spring. In his wonderful book, The Great Waukesha Springs Era, 1868-1918, Schoenknecht details a more complete history of the springs in Waukesha and those associated with it. I will only attempt a brief history here.
After the Topographical Bureau of the U.S. Government crew left, the spring remained obscure until 1868 when Colonel Dunbar came to Waukesha due to the death of his mother-in-law. Dunbar had been diagnosed with diabetes and was told by his physician that he had only a short time left to live. The day after the funeral, he rode with Miss Clark, his sister-in law to see some real estate. In his testimonial he wrote: "I protested strongly against my going: finally, I reluctantly consented, feeling but little interest in, to me, earth's fast receding affairs, as I did not expect to live one day beyond the limit set by Dr. Willard Parker - six weeks." During his tour of the property, he became terribly thirsty and was given a tumbler to fill from one of the many springs on the property. He drank six tumblerfuls and felt much refreshed, then rested under the shade of a great oak. After a half hour rest he awoke and drank another six tumblerfuls and felt there was something wonderful in the water.
Colonel Dunbar continued to enjoy the water along with much better health and determined that he should help humanity. A short while later he made the benefits of the spring known. He eventually named the spring Bethesda, because he felt the Lord was merciful in leading him to the spring.
By August 1869, water was being shipped throughout Waukesha and nearby communities in large amounts and word about the marvelous spring spread. The Colonel and Bethesda Spring would change Waukesha forever.
arcadian, elegant addition to the attractions of Waukesha
Founded by J.K. Anderson, the Arcadian Mineral Spring Company was incorporate in 1885 on the corner of Hartwell and Arcadian. Anderson owned a huge home on what was the former Hickory Grove Brewery. The mansion was originally called Hickory Grove Villa and later renamed Arcadian Heights, then Resthaven Hill.
Notes from a booklet published for the company boasted of how the bottling house did not need to use any pumps as the packaging area was 300 feet from the spring and 12 feet below, thus being carried by its own pressure. The company also flaunted the lining of the inside of pipes and cylinders with silver, from the entry of the spring to depositing in bottles. Arcadian bottled water and ginger ale in 1877. By 1886, Lemon Nectar had been added to their products and a franchise for the western states had been purchased by Walter and Alvin Butz.
The increase in business meant doubling the size of the bottling house, employing thirty-five men and using a pump. An orchestra was also added to entertain visitors at the spring house. The Springs were so highly regarded and popular, that upon his visit, Mr. George Wonder of Rockford (the sole agent for Schlitz beer in Rockford) bought an entire carload of the water.
Hygeia
Lithia and Hobo
Notes from a booklet published for the company boasted of how the bottling house did not need to use any pumps as the packaging area was 300 feet from the spring and 12 feet below, thus being carried by its own pressure. The company also flaunted the lining of the inside of pipes and cylinders with silver, from the entry of the spring to depositing in bottles. Arcadian bottled water and ginger ale in 1877. By 1886, Lemon Nectar had been added to their products and a franchise for the western states had been purchased by Walter and Alvin Butz.
The increase in business meant doubling the size of the bottling house, employing thirty-five men and using a pump. An orchestra was also added to entertain visitors at the spring house. The Springs were so highly regarded and popular, that upon his visit, Mr. George Wonder of Rockford (the sole agent for Schlitz beer in Rockford) bought an entire carload of the water.
Hygeia
Lithia and Hobo