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Title Seven Springs Hotel, Seven Springs, N.C., South Wing, Near Goldsboro CAROLINA CROSSROADS - http://www.carolinaxroads.com/ For a town of just over 100 people, Seven Springs has a long and storied history. Name changes, Civil War history, a resort community, and tragic flooding have all shaped this town known as "The Oldest Town in the County of Wayne." Sitting on the southern banks of the Neuse River, Seven Springs is where the Confederate Ironclad CSS Neuse was built in 1863. The Neuse was launched here and served the Confederate Navy along the Neuse River. She had numerous troubles with crew experience - running aground not long after launch - and would later save as a floating fortification of the City of Kinston. In March 1865, as a Union Army was closing in on Kinston, the Neuse was scuttled and set afire. It would be raised nearly a century later, and the Neuse and her accompanying artifacts now can be toured in Kinston. Seven Springs was originally known as Whitehall and later White Hall after the plantation of William Whitfield. Whitfield established his plantation in 1741. When a post office was established in 1881, the name changed to Jehrico. 13 years later, the name would change again to Seven Springs - and the name has stuck ever since. Nearby there are seven mineral springs - hence the new name. The mineral springs were the basis of the Seven Springs Hotel Resort. The hotel began operation in 1881, closing in 1944. Most of what is left of the old hotel has long been destroyed. The Battle of White Hall took place on December 16, 1862, in Wayne County, North Carolina, as part of the Union expedition from New Bern to Goldsboro, North Carolina, during the American Civil War.
Seven Springs Hotel, Seven Springs, N.C., North Wing, Near Goldsboro
Seven Springs is one of the oldest health resorts in the state. The first step
in developing it as a resort was taken in 1865 by W.B. Whitfield. The present
owner is Mr. G.M. Maxwell, who has been running it since 1912. He looks to be
about 65 years old, but he told us that he's really 83.
"First time we heard of Seven Springs," we told him, "was when we lived down
in Washington. Mrs. W.A. Blount used to praise it to the skies, she and her
husband." “They’re here right now,” said Mr. Maxwell. And, sure enough, we found them at
the pavilion, playing setback with another couple.
Back around 1880 and 1885 Seven Springs was a gay resort. In fact, it was the
Mecca for society in Eastern North Carolina. Dances and all kinds of parties
were staged and there was plenty of fun and frivolity from early morning until
late at night.
With the advent of paved roads and autos, Seven Springs lost its dancing feet
and holiday crowds. In its place are a quieter, more sedate group of mature
men and women who seek its quiet haven for rest and peace which it’s peculiar
beauty gives, and drink themselves back to health with its healing springs.
And there really have been some remarkable cures effected. Indigestion,
diabetes, kidney ailments, stomach trouble, nervousness, liver ailments – they
all respond to the healing waters of Seven Springs. It’s as quiet and restful
a place as you can find anywhere.
Title Spring House and Pavilion, Seven Springs, N.C., Near Goldsboro
10 Apr 1889
Several gentlemen from Seven Springs were in the city Monday comtemplating building a steamboat at Seven Springs to navigate on the Neuse River for the transportation of passengers and freight from that section connecting with the Enterprise Lumber Company's railroad now in course of construction in the south-western portion of our city. We hope their efforts will be crowned with success.
24 Jul 1889
Local News
12 Mar 1890
A correspondent from Seven Springs writes us that we were misinformed in regard to the politics of the present postmistress there, Miss Mary Broadhurst. It was not a fight between a Democrat and Republican but a pure Democratic fight. Mrs. Simmons, the former postmistress knew that she would have to go, as a Negro with a widely circulated petition was hungry for the position. Rather than to have a colored postmaster at Seven Springs, Miss Broadhurst entered the race and came out victorious. Although Mr. Wm. Broadhurst being a Republican, we are glad to know that his entire family are true-blue Democrats.
25 Jan 1900
Mr. & Mrs. W. F. Morrill, who have leased the Seven Springs Hotel, have arrived and taken charge of the hotel. The guests of the past two seasons, especially the young ladies, will miss ex-proprietor Smith's genial smile.
1 Feb 1900
While sitting before the fire Saturday night looking for an account, Miss Alice Ivey's celluloid puff-comb became very hot and ignited. Her head was right badly burned before the fire was extinguished.
The "Honor Roll" for second quarter of Seven Springs High School is as follows: Huldah Cox, Inez Sutton, Annie Cox, Sadie Sutton, Ethel Ivey, Blanche Ivey, Addie Cox, Bettie Barwick, Katie Ivey, Estelle Davis, Gladys Sutton, Mary Lue Quinn, Lelia Faucett, John W. Ivey, Maggie Walker and Harvey Cox.
Title Hotel, Seven Springs, N.C. |
