The oldest pool in Texas that uses natural cold mineral springs.
It's a public pool, but it smells strongly of sulfur!
Mysterious Emerald Green
About an hour and a half northwest of Austin, Texas.
The city of Lampasas, located along the Sulphur Creek, has several mineral springs that have been known since ancient times.
Records of the medicinal properties of the mineral springs date back to the 1850s, and by the end of the 19th century, it had become a famous health resort and tourist destination.
One of the mineral springs, Hancock Springs, is said to have had an early bathhouse and hotel built in 1883.
It was later destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1911, and is now the oldest mineral pool remaining in Texas.
Acquired by the city in 1936.
Since then, except for a period from 1942 to 1946 when it was leased as a military convalescent camp, it has been maintained as a public park.
The Hostess House, built overlooking the pool, is available for short-term rental, and the balcony is freely accessible.
The pool is open from around the end of May to the beginning of August every year.
The fee was only $3.50 for adults.
Separate changing rooms for men and women were located in the reception hut.
In contrast to the elegance of the Hostess House, the changing room was simple.
The mineral water was gushing out from a C-shaped structure.
The water splits into two streams and flows into the pool.
The cool water at 72 degrees F looked mysteriously emerald green depending on the light.
In fact, in the early 20th century, Hancock Springs served as a campground for the Baptist Church, where baptism by immersion was practiced.
The water had a sulfur smell like rotten eggs, and it felt like it was special water.
The overflowing water flowed into the Sulphur River.
The lower half of a historic bathhouse was preserved along the river.
Although the interior is off-limits, you can observe the ruins from the promenade.
Summary
Hancock Springs Park, Lampasas, Texas, U.S.
My rating
Type: Walk-in
Rule: Clothing required
Chemical use: Not detected
Water temp: 72 degrees F
Jacobs' Well
There are several natural swimming spots in the area around Austin.
Jacobs Well is a vertical cave 12 feet in diameter and 120 feet deep, known as a diving spot.
In recent years, due to water extraction by surrounding companies, the spring has often stopped flowing, and unfortunately, the water was cloudy when I visited.
