MEDICINE HOT SPRINGS 1924
MEDICINE HOT SPRINGS
Medicine Hot Springs is a historical vacation and
weekend destination, 4,430 feet above sea level, located about 4 miles
north of Sula, Montana. It
was frequented by many residents of the Bitter Root valley from the
early 1900's until it closed about 1983. In the July 24, 1903 edition
of the Ravalli Republican newspaper, there was an ad placed by George
Steele, proprietor of the resort, indicating the fine and commodious
hotel was open for the season, with superior accomodations and the
finest hot medicinal baths for patients and pleasure seekers.
In 1908, Edwin Smith, a
merchant in Hamilton, and his wife, purchased the 100-acre tract of
forested land located on Warm Springs Creek, a tributary of the east
fork of the Bitter Root River, from James C. and Annie Harvey and Eric
Nordgren. The land is situated in a beautiful wooded valley, virtually
untouched by woodmen at that time and had a number of hot mineral
springs. This hot spring water was thought to have therapeutic
qualities. He improved the property, built a hotel, which later burned,
built cabins and a plunge (swimming pool). It became a favorite
recreation area and a popular vacation spot in western Montana.
In 1943, Edwin disposed of a half-interest in the
resort to his son, Barton, who remodeled the plunge, erected new
cabins, made other improvements to the resort. A 16' x 64" cabin was
built at the camp grounds above the indoor pool, to accomodate 30
people. The interior was finished in knotty pine, had bouble deck beds,
bathroom with toilets and lavatory, a kitchen and dining room. No
towels or bed linens were furnished so anyone staying there had to
bring their own towels, and bed linens or sleeping bags. The
refrigerator in the kitchen was not electric but was an ice box which
required a block of ice for cooling.
Barton Smith operated the property
for 40 years, when he sold it to Harold Mildenberger. The resort was
managed by George and Betty Case until they retired in 1978. Jim and
Donna Henson became the new managers and planned to refurbish the pool,
establish new picnic areas and add more conveniences but not change the
atmosphere. In March 1987, Clinton and Judy Smith became the new
managers of the resort. It had a newly painted swimming pools and hot
tub mineral bats. The resort was sold in 1988 and is now operated by
the US
Forest Service. It is open to the public with 14 camp sites with picnic
tables, fire rings, and vault
toilets.There is no garbage service, so Pack it in/Pack it out.
Entrance road to Medicine Hot Springs
Photo taken about May 1924
Parking area at Medicine Hot Springs
Overhead view of Medicine Hot Springs
Swimming pool building on Right side
of road