The history of Jordan
Springs goes back to the early 1600s, when the Catawba
Indians discovered two mineral springs, the White
Sulphur Spring and the Calibeate Spring, which flow
from the grotto at the base of a nearby cliff-like
hill called Devil's Backbone. The Indians used the
area as a meeting place for almost a century and a
half, at which point the mineral springs were discovered
by settlers. The property was later made into a resort
centering around the therapeutic and healing medicinal
powers of the springs. Since 1832, three separate
hotels have stood on the property; the brick portion
of the current building was built in 1893 by Edwin
Clarendon Jordan, Jr.
During the Civil War (1861-1865), Jordan Springs
was used as a hospital for both Confederate and Union
forces, depending upon which side held nearby Winchester,
Virginia. Many sick and wounded Confederate soldiers
came to Jordan Springs for medical treatment, especially
from the Sharpsburg (Antietam), Gettysburg, and Winchester
battlefields. Soldiers who died at Jordan Springs
were buried on the grounds, and in 1866, the remains
of those soldiers were removed and taken to the Stonewall
Cemetery located in nearby Winchester. Both armies
traveled the Jordan Springs Road, and it is said that
at the beginning of the Second Battle of Winchester,
General Johnson stopped at Jordan Springs to ask for
directions to Stephenson Depot.
The historic Jordan Springs property was a popular
resort destination for many years. Many visitors,
including President Roosevelt and other statesmen
from the Washington, D.C. area, came from surrounding
states to enjoy the facilities and grounds. In later
years, Jordan Springs served as the seminary and monastery
of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity
of the Catholic Church. The property still maintains
the atmosphere of a retreat environment, with the
natural surroundings supplying much of the peaceful
beauty.
Historic Jordan Springs now serves as the corporate
offices of County Court Reporters, Inc., Court Reporting
Consultants, and Advanced LEGAL Technologies, LLC.
The facility is used as a technology and training
centre, complete with video conferencing. Historic
Jordan Springs, steeped in history and conveniently
located just 60 miles west of Washington, DC, is nestled
among the rolling hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
in the Shenandoah Valley. It is a convenient location
where you can not only feed your mind, but feed your
soul.
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