Experience Excelsior Springs Trip Planner 2023

Remember I Reflect I Recall
Excelsior Springs, the city with the magic waters, came to
be as a modern dwelling in the year 1880. At the time, it
was basically a wheat field. From the Fishing River, a spring
water with a red coloring flowed, becoming Siloam Spring
and the first of the mineral waters found in Excelsior Springs.
It is the only natural supply of ferro-manganese mineral water
in the United States and one of only five known worldwide.
It’s also the spring that paved the way for Excelsior Springs
to become what it is today.
The story goes like this: A local farmer, Travis Mellion,
was searching for help for his daughter who was suffering
from tuberculosis. Mellion gave his daughter water from
the spring to drink and bathe in. Within days, a drastic
improvement in her condition was observed; in just weeks,
she was cured. People took notice. Another story of the
healing properties of the water comes from Civil War
Veteran Frederick Kuglar, who decided to test the water on
an unhealed gunshot wound. He, too, found relief and a full
recovery from the waters.
From there, the owners of the property platted the valley
Efforts are being
made to preserve
well sites, as well
as test the mineral
waters for safe public
consumption again.
For more info visit
friendsofthewells.org
The Water And The History Flow On
and formed a town. Within a year’s time, 200 houses had
settled into the hilly terrace for newcomers to call home.
Visitors who had heard of the magic waters came in droves,
camping in tents and covered wagons, to get their hands on
the waters.
After the discovery of the first water, more than 40 more
mineral water wells and springs were identified, including
sodium bicarbonate, calcium bicarbonate and saline
sulphur. One of Excelsior’s claims to fame is that we have
more groupings of mineral water than anywhere else in the
world. IN THE ENTIRE WORLD!
Before long, visitors from larger metropolitan areas
caught interest in the springs. Suddenly, due to high
demand, boarding houses and hotels were erected and
stage lines were put into place. Excelsior continued to thrive
with further construction and expansion, even avoiding the
worst of the Great Depression thanks to our status as a
health resort oasis.
In the late 1950s, the good times took a hit as some of
the health benefits were questioned and popularity of resort
spa towns declined.
Today, the springs still flow, although there is no longer
access to them. City and community civic groups are
currently working to restore mineral water pavilions at as
many sites as possible.
Our rich history helped make us what we are, but we are
even more than our water. We have created a community
with deep roots in history and a huge passion toward the
future. We have two feet moving forward while keeping an
eye on our past.
Our tourism industry is booming and new businesses are
opening up every year, including new breweries, restaurants
and retail space with more to come in the future.
We pride ourselves on being a unique, charming town
rich in history, culture and forward momentum. We welcome
you to our town and hope you enjoy your time here!
If you’d like to learn more about our history, you can read
about it at www.VisitExcelsior.com or even better, learn
about it in person at the Excelsior Springs Museum and the
Hall of Waters.
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