Page 3 - History of the Dearborn Mineral Springs

The 1890s were defining years for Woodstock

and a mineral spring would have a defining role

in its future. New efforts to promote the town

and its amenities were being developed and

there was a rapid movement towards improving

the town’s infrastructure to accommodate more

guests. One of the first moments of note

occurred in 1891, when an enterprising man by

the name of Walter Dearborn bought a property

on Dunham Hill and began advertising the

healing properties of a natural mineral spring

there. The name of this spring was called

Dearborn Spring (later Sanatoga Spring). This

had a huge ripple effect through town. Tourism

increased as travelers from out of state were

enticed to visit places like Woodstock for their

water cures.