Minnehaha Springs

Minnehaha springs history

Minnehaha Springs is a small village in West Virginia with a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The community is located where Douthard's Creek meets Knapp's Creek, near the base of the Allegheny Mountain, at an elevation of about 2,500 feet[1].

The area was known for its timber and game, with early settlers arriving in the early 1800s. Notable early residents included Michael Daugherty, Lanty Lockridge, Michael Cleek, and Henry Harper, Sr., who owned large tracts of land[1].

Education played a significant role in the community's development. The first school at Minnehaha Springs, then called Driscol, was taught in a dwelling near the warm spring between 1880 and 1885. Over time, several school buildings were constructed to serve the growing population[1].

The village's name has an interesting origin. It was named after Minnehaha, a fictional Native American princess created by Wordsworth in his poem about Hiawatha[2]. In 1912, the Minnehaha Springs Improvement Company was formed, and a public bathing pool was opened. A post office with the name Minnehaha Springs was also established around this time[3].

By the early 20th century, Minnehaha Springs had developed into a small but thriving community with residences, a post office, stores, churches, a hotel, and a bath-house. The village also boasted the summer home of Colonel H. R. Wylie, which was formerly the Allegheny Club[1].

Citations:
[1] History 0f Minnehaha Springs Community https://archive.wvculture.org/history/agrext/minneha.html
[2] Minnehaha Springs, West Virginia Was Named After A Princess https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/west-virginia/charming-small-town-name-origins-wv/
[3] Minnehaha Springs - e-WV https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/articles/1999
[4] Spring Ruins Tour, stop two! (Minnehaha Springs, WV): rural_ruin https://rural-ruin.livejournal.com/172919.html
[5] Minnehaha Health Spa and Resort - Spokane Historical https://spokanehistorical.org/items/show/139
 

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