The lone native American Indian motif has long been central to the story of Ashley Mineral Spring’s discovery and is supported by the discovery of many nearby native American mounds. Although historical accounts claim the nearby Indian burying ground identifies the springs as having been used by native Americans long before European settlement, the story of Sulphur Springs really begins in the winter of 1850 when the waters of the Quachita river were at their lowest levels and much of the adjoining swamps laid exposed to the sun. With his dog at his side a lone Choctaw Indian known as “Tom” rode bareback far from the river on a hunting trip. Thirst overtook him many miles from the river and he looked for water but found only slimy swamp pools. Hearing his dog lapping up water from a rivulent hidden amongst the cypress trees Tom stopped and investigated and found a spring emerging from the earth. He began to drink from the spring and soon noticed its unusual taste. He thought he had been poisoned and made haste to seek a cure. Indian Tom rode to the nearest homestead belonging to George Wimberly who explained to Tom that he had not been poisoned and that it was just sulphur and other minerals in the water which imparted the bad taste. The springs cultivated no further interest and the matter was soon forgotten. In another story it was “old Bob”, one of the last remaining native Americans to have been driven from the area by European settlers who possessed knowledge of the springs. When not “basking nude in the waters of the spring” Uncle Bob would take advantage of settlers by sneaking into their homes when no one was there, eat until he was full and then leave without disturbing anything. Bob too would be encouraged to depart but Ashley Springs would forever be known as the “Redman’s Spring”.















In 1859 the springs attracted the attention of Fred A. Switzer -- “a trader in negros, horses and mules” -- who was quick to recognize the possibilities of both the spring and the adjoining farmland that could be attained upon clearing the dense riparian forests. Switzer settled on his new homeplace Christmas week of that year with his wife Julia Drummond. With brave spirit Switzer and his wife made plans for their new home and the barn for their cherished horses -- indispensible for transportation, work and racing, a latter endeavor a relished passion of Switzer. But before they could embark upon their plan to build a community with the spring as its centerpiece the Civil War erupted. Switzer was called upon to serve in the Confederate army while Julia likely sought refuge in Texas. In 1865 Switzer’s company surrendered to Union forces and with a land deed signed by President Lincoln, Switzer returned to Arkansas and took possession of the property. He hauled hundreds of wagon loads of dirt and piled them around the springs forming the foundation for a sprawling, two-story log cabin which he called the "Hotel-Lodge". It was a rough affair built chiefly of unfinished lumber in which the cracks between the logs were filled with mud. It had eight rooms on each of its two floors and long broad hallways that carried the entire length of the hotel; similarly, a shaded gallery ran across the front of the hotel. Surrounding the hotel was a number of log cabins all having huge stone chimneys. Those who could not afford to stay in the hotel were invited to camp on the adjoining grounds which were often crowded with tents, wagons and horses during the summer. Upon completion of the hotel Switzer built a bathouse in which there was a single large wooden bathtub that was filled by bucket with water carried from the nearby spring. The water was promoted for its healing properties in curing kidney disease by daily bathing in the sulfur water. Driven by curiosity, interest and their desire to find remedy for an assortment of ailments rich cotton planters up and down the Mississippi River patronized the springs. There was a small landing at the Louisiana line known as Extrawhere where there was an overflow water canal leading from the Ouachita River through the Mossy Lake swamp to Sulphur Springs thus making the latter a river port. The attractions of Sulphur Springs weren't limited to the healing springs. Ashley Mineral Springs also meant gambling and horse racing. As many as 500 people would show up on Saturdays to watch the races on a 100-yard track. The horses – nothing more than everyday horses were ridden bareback. While many wagered on the races, other people enjoyed ten pin alley or simply riding and hiking through the adjoining forests. There was also a large open pavilion that served as the focal point of well attended barbeques and dances. The music was offered by an impromptu assembly of local musicians who would come with their violins, guitars and mouth harps. A community was taking form to serve the visitors to the springs with mercantiles, doctor’s office, sawmill, church and even a brick kiln. A well stocked grocery store assured that no guests would go unfed and several nearby homes offered lodging for those seeking quieter comforts. A saloon – really nothing more than a crude log cabin decorated with deer hides, heads and antlers – was built near the springs and was a popular destination. Inside the saloon stood a large and menacing stuffed panther and across the back were shelves for bottles and whiskey that came up from New Orleans in large wooden barrels. Switzer would acquire over 1200 acres of the finest timber in the area and run a large farm operation growing cotton, corn and wheat. He also ran successful mercantiles in both Sulphur Springs and nearby Petersburg while pursuing his equine passions. In 1870 the old hotel was torn down and eight double-room log cabins were built for the tourists. Frank O. Erickson a native of Sweden was placed in charge of the resort and under his care the summers were filled with guests. Erickson would die in 1894 and is buried with his children, infant Joseph Edward Erickson Oct 10 1892 and 10-year-old Mary Ellen Erickson Dec 25 1895 in Macedonia Cemetery at Sulphur Springs. Although Ashley Springs was a beautiful place in the summer in the winter the Ouachita river floods the nearby swamps and grounds adjoining the spring. As the era of modern medicine curtailed people’s interest in seeking remedy from nature’s springs and with the death of the spring’s chief proponents – Fred Switzer (d. 1908) and Frank Erickson -- the springs fell into disuse and nature reclaimed the woodlands. In 1924 a 69-acre tract containing the springs was acquired by Homer Bryant of El Dorado who with his brother D.W. Bryant of Jonesboro promoted and distributed water from the spring as “The Red Man’s Healing Waters”. Homer attributed his very life to the spring as it cured him of chronic kidney disease in less than a month. Homer sought out to secure nationwide distribution of their bottled water and built a landmark stone and log home near the springs with the goal of restoring the original resort but on a smaller scale. Twenty years later the Bryant brothers were still promoting their curative water but the resort was never rebuilt.















Little is known of the water’s chemical properties and testimonials of its medical properties limited to but a handful of accounts. As one old timer remarked “we didn’t know why it cured so many different ailments, except that the good Lord mixed in it what it ought to have”. (The Times, 1940)The water gives off a strong aroma due to hydrogen sulfide gas emanating from the water purified by submerged alluvial deposits. When ingested it stimulates the secretion of bile and aids digestion. Daily cold and warm baths with the sulphur water were prescribed for treatment of kidney disease and had a diurectic effect that was also useful in management of scrofula, rheumatism and gout. The current distributors of the water say that analysis shows it to contain many chemicals beneficial for the treatment of diabetes and kidney but make no claims of the water having medicinal properties. The spring still supports a local bottling plant in nearby Crossett that is permitted to obtain surface water from the spring as a “transient non-community retail water source” which is distributed throughout south-east Arkansas. Although there is no indication that the spring itself is any way contaminated recent bottlers have been cited by health officials on at least two occasions for inadequate monitoring and presence of potentially-harmful, coliform bacteria.



Historical Ruins: Once a large 19th century house owned by the prominent Ramsaur family stood as a local landmark in nearby Petersburg. The last occupant of the home was Miss Pearl Ramsaur who enjoyed giving tours of the large home – the first built of sawed boards in Ashley county -- that showcased her many family treasures. Thought to be rich beyond wonder the local community was surprised to learn upon her death no accounts were found at the nearby bank in Crossett. Thinking that the riches were hidden on the family property, the house was torn apart and the grounds dug up by people looking for the family’s money. Within a few years there was not much left of the house -- a staircase and a couple walls standing in a yard full of holes dug by treasure hunters. When the big trees that once surrounded the home died because of the digging all discernible impressions of the Ramsaur legacy were lost. The accounts were later found in Louisiana. Source material to Secure: South Folklore Class Reports, 1958-1999, MS F.16; Contents: 820 items, Mary Celestia Parler: Sandra Johnson, History of Ashley Mineral Springs, 1959 Fall, Loc. 484 MS f.16 6.63- 1969)