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Yellow Springs...(Chester
Springs)
A Self-Guided Tour of Historic Yellow Springs
The Chester Springs Historic District, formerly known as Yellow Springs, consists of a complex of 18th and 19th century buildings clustered about the intersection of Yellow Springs and Art School Roads, and features several active mineral springs. It is believed to have been visited by three Presidents (George Washington, James Madison, and James Monroe). Other noted visitors include David Rittenhouse, Fanny Kemble, Daniel Webster, Jenny Lind, and Henry Clay.
The 18th century significance of Historic Yellow Springs as the site of a major Continental Army Hospital, closely associated with General Washington and his immediate staff, and its 18th and early 19th century significance as a popular spa, are fully evident in the village today. Yellow Springs has retained its historic appearance with few intrusions by the 20th century.
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| 1. YELLOW SPRINGS INN - It is recorded that in 1750 Robert Prichard applied for a license for entertainment because so many people were coming for the cures of the mineral springs. A pre-1770 structure, probably the first Inn referred to above, was on the site of the current Yellow Springs Inn, which achieved its final configuration after a series of expansions. |
2. MAIN HOUSE - This two and one-half story stone residence is now privately owned. The basement level includes a pantry and summer kitchen. |
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3. IRON SPRING - The gazebo shelters the iron spring. The yellow waters of this spring provide the descriptive name of Yellow Springs. This structure was constructed in the early 19th century. Patients under water treatment would drink the waters, following a prescribed schedule of exercise and diet, bathe in the waters and apply cloths soaked in the springs to various parts of their body, and often sleep in water soaked sheets. |
4. POOL HOUSE - This structure houses the swimming pool and was modified to its present appearance in the early 20th century when the Academy owned the property. Prior to this, the eastern section served as a laundry to the orphans' school and previously probably functioned as one of many bath houses located in the immediate area. |
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| 5. UTILITY BUILDING - In the days of the orphanage, it was used as the power plant, containing the steam boiler which supplied heat to the main buildings by underground pipes. Parts of this building date to a much earlier period. | 6. JENNY LIND SPRING - This a sulfer spring which may have been used by Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, during one of her American tours in the mid-19th century. The style of this building is Greek Revival. Its construction is fieldstone covered with cement scored to resemble large blocks. It was constructed in the first part of the 19th century and possibly contained four chambers. |
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| 7. CRYSTAL DIAMOND SPRING - This is a magnesium spring discovered in 1846 by Mrs. Lingen, the wife of the owner of the Spa. The bath house now standing was built at a later date. | 8. LARGE BARN STUDIO - Now the home of the Yellow Springs Institute for Contemporary Studies and the Arts, this barn is of the English style, probably built in the mid-19th century. It is privately owned. |
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| 9. STONE FARMHOUSE - Jenny Lind slept here during her visit to the Yellow Springs, it is said. This stucco over stone double house built in the 19th century continues in residential use and is privately owned. | 10.. SMALL BARN STUDIO - This example of an early Pennsylvania stone barn now houses the Chester Springs Studio. It, too, is privately owned. |
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| 11. HOSPITAL RUINS (WASHINGTON HALL) - By order of General Washington, the "construction of a commodious building" was "immediately started", to serve both as the Yellow Springs Medical Department Headquarters and the principle hospital unit for the Valley Forge encampment. "Washington Hall" as it was later called, was the only hospital erected for the soldiers of the Continental Army. This building was three and one-half stories high. The third floor was divided into many small rooms, while the second contained two large wards. The kitchen, dining room, and utilitarian quarters were located on the ground floor. The hospital was filled with the sick from Valley Forge even before construction was finished. |
12 LINCOLN BUILDING - Formerly on this location in 1823 was a two story wood frame building which served as a rival hotel, "The Cottage" to the Yellow Springs Inn. It was rebuilt in 1899 after a fire, adding a hip roof and third floor. At a later date the wood siding was stuccoed.
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Information provided by Historic Yellow Springs, Inc. |
Copyright 1999, all rights reserved.