Bailey Springs, Alabama Explained

Official Name:Bailey Springs, Alabama
Pushpin Map:Alabama#USA
Pushpin Label:Bailey Springs
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Alabama
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Lauderdale
Timezone:Central (CST)
Utc Offset:-6
Timezone Dst:CDT
Utc Offset Dst:-5
Elevation Ft:525
Coordinates:34.8956°N -87.5714°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Area Codes:256 & 938
Blank Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank Info:113361

Bailey Springs, also known as Chalybeate Springs, is an unincorporated community in Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States.

History

A post office was established at Bailey Springs in 1854, and remained in operation until it was discontinued in 1901.[1] The community was named for Jonathan Bailey, who started a resort on several mineral springs.[2] The spring waters here have been classified as chalybeate, iron water, and alkaline-saline springs. A large number of people came from Memphis and surrounding areas for the purported healing qualities of the springs.[3] At one point, the water at Bailey Springs was bottled and shipped around the United States.[4] The springs were opened as a resort and hotel until 1910. A school for women, Bailey Springs University, was founded in 1893 on the resort grounds. It remained open until 1900.[5]

During the American Civil War, troops from the 7th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment under the command of Colonel Richard Rowett camped at Bailey Springs.

Notable person

Henry W. Collier, the 14th Governor of Alabama, died at Bailey Springs on August 28, 1855.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lauderdale County . Jim Forte Postal History . 23 April 2015.
  2. News: The Historical Highways and Byways of Lauderdale County . . 1 March 1962 . 23 April 2015 . Darby, A. J. . Page 7, Section 3.
  3. Book: Eugene Allen Smith. Frank P. Chaffee. The Underground Water Resources of Alabama. 1907. Brown Printing Company, State Printers and Binders. 103.
  4. Book: Water-supply and Irrigation Papers of the United States Geological Survey. 1905. U.S. Government Printing Office. 170.
  5. Book: James Frederick Sulzby. Historic Alabama Hotels and Resorts. 1960. University of Alabama Press. 978-0-8173-5309-4. 33.
  6. Book: The American Almanac and Repository of Useful Knowledge for the Year. 1856. Gray and Bowen. 347.