Taking the Waters in Texas: Springs, Spas, and Fountains of Youth [Hardcover]

Janet Mace Valenza (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2000

'This book chronicles a fascinating aspect of Texas history ...I will certainly add springs to my list of destinations and will have to carry a copy of the book in my car library' - Craig E. Colten, Associate Professor of Geography, Southwest Texas State University. 'It is well known that Southern Texas possesses a greater variety of Mineral Waters than any other country on the globe' enthused a promotion for one of Texas' many watering spas of the nineteenth century. Though most are closed and nearly forgotten today, Texas spas and resorts once drew thousands of visitors from across the country, seeking healing of body and spirit in the rejuvenating mineral waters.This book offers the first comprehensive history of Texas' healing springs. Janet Valenza tracks the rise, popularity, and decline of the 'water cure' from the 1830s to the present day. She follows the development of major spas and resorts, such as Mineral Wells and Indian Hot Springs near El Paso, as well as of smaller, family-run springs. She also describes how mineral waters influenced patterns of settlement, transportation routes, commerce, and people's attitudes toward the land. Period photos and quotes from those seeking cures offer vivid glimpses into the daily life at the springs, which Valenza lists and describes county-by-county in the appendix. Janet Valenza holds a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Texas at Austin. Currently she teaches geography at Austin-area colleges and universities.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book chronicles a fascinating aspect of Texas history... I will certainly add springs to my list of destinations and will have to carry a copy of the book in my car library." oCraig E. Colten, Associate Professor of Geography, Southwest Texas State University --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 265 pages
• Publisher: University of Texas Press (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0292787332
• ISBN-13: 978-0292787339
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,561,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Mineral Bath Resorts Popularity in Texas, June 23, 2009

By 

Joye E. Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Taking the Waters in Texas: Springs, Spas, and Fountains of Youth (Hardcover)

This was a wonderful find with a lot of research about the early mineral springs in Texas and baths. A good addition for collectors of Texana books!