It’s still hard to believe that with all the progress the downtown has made with tourism, we still do not have access to our most valuable piece of history, our mineral waters. A decade or more has gone by since the Department of Natural Resources stopped production. Leave it to the Friends of the Wells to be the ones working to bring them back.
According to their website, Friends of the Wells is a non-profit in support of the development of the historic well and spring sites in Excelsior Springs. They work to promote the tourist opportunities the sites afford local businesses by creating and strengthening the bond between the sites and the public in the region, by promoting community participation in the well, and spring restoration and maintenance and by contributing resources as appropriate.
Mineral Water Restoration is the project that Friends of the Wells has undertaken as a first step toward the return of the waters. According to the website, the first step is water quality testing and inspection of the Soda Well No. 1, located behind the Hall of Waters on the northeast corner. The inspection/investigation will help to determine the viability of the well to be returned to use.
The Elms of Hotel and Spa donated a Two Night Stay, Couples 50 minute Swedish Massage, and breakfast for two in November, that the committee raffled last Fall. The committee undertook another fundraiser Thursday, July 28, 2022 at Dubious Claims Brewing Co. during a Celebrity Bartender event. A raffle was held, where Jeff Algie won a Royal Hotel brick and Sonya Morgan won a silver Sulpho-Saline Spring souvenir spoon. The event brought another $340 to the cause, bringing the total raised to $7,175. There is another $2,000 pledged and possible additional grant funds that have been applied for.
If you would be interested in supporting this effort financially, click here to donate online.
Glad to hear this! Can we help?