Crawford's Springs, 17 miles west of Staunton, on what is called the Free Turnpike, are also visited by persons from the neighbourhood, and said to contain valuable medicinal qualities.
Union Spring is on the west side of the Blue Ridge, 20 miles east of Staunton; and the Lebanon White Sulphur about 20 miles northwest of Staunton, on the road leading from Harrisonburg to the Warm Springs.
From Staunton to the Springs in western Virginia the route is, via Buffalo Gap 10 miles, Deerfield 12 miles, Cloverdale 8 miles, thence to Bath Alum Springs, 15 miles.
"This new and elegant establishment is situated at the eastern base of the Warm Spring Mountain, on the route through Virginia by way of the Valley of the great Kanawha to Point Pleasant and Guyandotte on the Ohio River. It is very pleasantly located both in point of climate and scenery; the atmosphere is pure, bracing, and exhilarating; the mountain scenery diversified and picturesque. To the west and northwest is the Big Piney Mountain; on the southwest is Little Piney Mountain. These ranges lie parallel with the Warm Spring Mountain, and nature seems to have separated them for a road to the Far West. Through the 'gap' in these mountains the visiter enjoys a fine view of the celebrated 'Flag Rock,' the gap in the Warm Spring Mountain, and of the turnpike road (for about three-fourths of a mile) as it winds its way along the sides and finally reaches the summit of the mountain.
"Eastward stretches McClung's Mountain, through which Thompson's Creek, sparkling and rapid, forces its way, giving view to Mill Mountain in the distance, whilst in the foreground rises Mayo's Hill, with its rich and beautiful laurel groves.
"The buildings are situated on ground slightly undulating, of which 10 acres are enclosed and ornamented with shade trees, shrubbery, &c.; and in the rear is an extensive forest reaching to the base of the mountain. The houses are disposed in the form of a crescent, of which the centre and principal is the Hotel. This is three stories high besides the basement, 90 feet front by 50 deep, and contains a suite of parlours, very handsomely furnished reception-room, reading-room, the ball-room, and a number of double and single chambers.
"The front is ornamented with a very elegant and airy double portico of 'fretwork,' furnishing an agreeable promenade to ladies and gentlemen above, and to the gentlemen below or on the first floor.
"This central edifice is flanked east and west by two buildings, one at either end, corresponding with it in general appearance—but smaller in size, being but two stories high exclusive of basement, and 63 feet front by 40 deep. Each of these also has a portico of 'fretwork,' proportioned to its size as compared with the main Hotel. These buildings again are flanked at either extremity by four blocks of cabins or cottages, one story high, having small lattice porches in front, and harmonizing in general appearance with their larger and more imposing neighbours. But that which is of the most importance to the comfort of the sojourner is, that these chambers, besides being new, airy, and well ventilated, are furnished with the best of hair mattrasses. In this respect Bath Alum is probably not surpassed anywhere in the mineral regions of Virginia. Running back from the centre of the Hotel, in the rear of it, is the spacious dining-room 25 feet wide by 115 feet long, adapted for a double row of tables if necessary. The tea and store-rooms, kitchen and baker's rooms are east of the dining-room, and connected with it at the centre.
"These buildings are all of brick, of superior workmanship, and handsomely furnished. Besides these, are provided in the background comfortable rooms for servants; and across the creek ample stabling and carriage room. Attached to the establishment are the plunge-baths, one 16 feet square, the other 12 feet square.
"Although these improvements are all new, and have been put up since this property, two years ago, passed into the hands of its present energetic and liberal proprietor (Mr. John W. Frazier), yet the Alum Springs themselves have long been known for their highly medicinal qualities, and resorted to by people of this region of country, and even from distant parts, in spite of the want of all accommodations for visiters in the immediate vicinity.