History

What began as a farmer’s desperate search for a cure in 1880 became the foundation of Excelsior Springs, a town built on the healing power of its iron-rich mineral waters.

Beneath the streets of Excelsior Springs lies a hidden legacy: 12 Sulpho-Saline wells that once drew visitors from across the nation seeking the curative powers of their mineral-rich waters. From easing ailments like constipation and headaches to soothing skin conditions, these wells shaped the town’s history and established it as a destination of health and wellness in the early 20th century.

This Thanksgiving, local historian Kevin Morgan invites the community to reflect on the land’s deeper history, where Native American cultures once flourished, leaving behind artifacts and traditions that continue to shape Excelsior Springs’ identity.

Bubbling with history and healing, the soda wells of Excelsior Springs were a cornerstone of the community since the 1880s, drawing visitors with their effervescent sodium bicarbonate waters touted for their medicinal properties. From relieving indigestion to inspiring the award-winning Soterian Ginger Ale, all a part of Excelsior Springs’ unique heritage.