Blue Springs State Park is a publicly owned recreation area located east of

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in Blue Springs,

Barbour County, Alabama Barbour County is a county in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Alabama. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,223. Its county seat is Clayton. Its largest city is Eufaula. Its name is in honor of James Barbour, who served as ...

. The

state park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural ...

features a clear blue, natural underground

spring Spring(s) may refer to: Common uses * Spring (season), a season of the year * Spring (device), a mechanical device that stores energy * Spring (hydrology), a natural source of water * Spring (mathematics), a geometric surface in the shape of a ...

that pumps of water per minute into two concrete-ringed swimming pools. The park's recreational area was expanded in 2013 when the Forever Wild Land Trust purchased 100 acres adjoining the park for the purpose of providing hiking trails. The Magnolia Trail, along with two short connector trails, opened in 2018. The trail crosses 2 miles of southeast Alabama forest and provides views of the west fork of the

Choctawhatchee River The Choctawhatchee River is a U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data. The National Map , accessed 15 April 2011 river in the southern United States, flowing through southeast Alabama and the Panhandle o ...

. The trailhead is located in the park with most of the trail traversing the adjacent Forever Wild Blue Springs State Park Addition.

History

Harrison's Hotel, built in 1890, was among the first efforts to turn the village of Blue Springs into a health spa. Ten years later, J.T.E. Whigham began work on the Blue Springs Hotel, which eventually featured 28 rooms and modern bathhouse. In 1913, the spring pool was lined with concrete and another smaller pool designed for use by children was added to the site. The area became a popular spot for political rallies, three-day horse-trading events, and annual reunions of

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soldiers. The large pool remained in operation until about 1938. J.D. McLaughlin sold the property to the state resulting in creation of the state park in 1963. At the entrance to the park is a stone monument dedicated to Dr. James Daniel McLaughlin (1880-1953), a medical doctor who attended Atlanta College for Physicians and Surgeons and the medical extension program of the

University of Alabama The University of Alabama (informally known as Alabama, UA, or Bama) is a Public university, public research university in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Established in 1820 and opened to students in 1831, the University of Alabama is the oldest and la ...

in Mobile.

Activities and amenities

*Swimming: The natural spring for which the park is named has a sandy bottom, pumps of water per minute and stays at a constant temperature of . Swimming (without lifeguards) is permitted. *Camping: The park has modern and primitive campsites, rental cabins, and rental campers. *Fishing: A small pond is stocked with catfish, bass, and bream. *Picnicking: The park's picnicking facilities include pavilions for rent. *Playground: A playground made from 100% recycled material with two main structures suitable for children ages 2–5 and 5-12 and a large sandbox for younger children was added in 2014. *Volleyball: The park's sand volleyball court offers tournaments in spring and summer.

References

External links

Blue Springs State Park
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources {{authority control State parks of Alabama Protected areas of Barbour County, Alabama Springs of Alabama Bodies of water of Barbour County, Alabama Protected areas established in 1963 1963 establishments in Alabama