*** Source: Thompson, Robert A., Historical and descriptive sketch of Sonoma County, California. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co., 1877, 122 pgs. Notice: This data is donated to the Public Domain by TAG, 2004, and may be copied freely by anyone to anywhere. *** ---page 37--- until 1870; he was succeeded by J. C. Susenbeth, who remained there three years. B. S. Hollingsworth was the lessee for the years 1874-5-6 and 7; he was succeeded, in April of this year, by Mr. W. Forsyth, the present proprietor. The first register kept at the springs was in the year 1854, and there are but twenty names upon it. From that time on, the number increased every year until 1875, when three thousand five hundred names were enrolled. The first wagon-road made to Geysers was from Healdsburg over what is called the Hog's Back ridge. On the 15th of May, 1861, R. C. Flournoy drove a double team and buggy over the new road, and to him belongs the credit of taking the first wheeled vehicle of any kind to the Geyser springs. He was accompanied by a lady, and reached the hotel at eleven o'clock P.M., without breaking a bolt. The main trail to the Geysers was over this road until 1869, when a toll-road was built from Knight's valley, and a stage-line was put on that route. In 1874 the toll-road from Cloverdale up Sulphur creek was built, and opened the following season. Of all the roads to the Geysers, that from Healdsburg, over the Hog's Back, is the most interesting and beautiful; it follows the crest of the high ridge separating the waters of Big and Little Sul- phur creeks, passing close under the shadow of Geyser peak, affording a view of the great Russian River valley and the sea beyond, unsurpassed anywhere in its breadth, variety, and beauty. N. W. Bostwick runs passengers through by this route, with first-class vehicles, and in the shortest possible time. There are other roads into the springs from Lake county, and there is also a good trail from Geyserville. The springs can be reached by private conveyance in about three hours' and a-half travel from Santa Rosa. MINERAL SPRINGS. SKAGGS' SPRINGS are next in importance and popularity to the Geysers, and are crowded annually by those in quest of good health or pleasure from all parts of the Pacific Coast. These springs are situated at the head of Dry Creek valley, about eight miles west of the depot of San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad at Geyserville. The land upon which they are located was entered in 1856 by William Skaggs, A. Skaggs, and William and John Knight, as a grazing ranch. In the spring of 1857 A. Skaggs bought out his partners, and has since continued sole proprietor. There are a number of hot sulphur springs at Skaggs' of delicious tempera- ture for bathing. There is also a cold soda and iron spring, a valuable tonic for invalids, but the luxurious baths, which seem to recreate one anew, are the chief attractions of the place. The first regular visitors to Skaggs' came in 1860, the number increased until 1864, when it became apparent that the med- icinal properties of the waters was fast extending its reputation, and would justify an outlay for permanent improvements, which were at once commenced. The house was opened for the reception of guests in 1864 by A. Skaggs; he rented the place in 1867 and resumed control in 1868. In 1869 and 1870 the house was leased by John Leonard, and in 1871 by B. F. Tucker. Perry Emmerson kept it in 1872-73, and since that time the springs have been under the man- agement of Mr. Skaggs himself. *** end ***