*** 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 38--- A large sum of money has been expended by the proprietor. There are good accommodations for at least three hundred persons in the hotels and the cottages which surround it. There are elegant walks and drives about the grounds, and it is no exaggeration to say that it is the most popular place of resort for families north of the bay of San Francisco. The largest number of guests the first year the springs were opened, on any one day, did not exceed twenty; now as many as three hundred have registered in a day, and for the season they may be counted by the thousands. The loca- tion of the springs will be seen on the accompaning map. To reach Skaggs', passengers may leave San Francisco any day by the morning or evening boat, and in three hours, by steamer and car, arrive at Geyserville, when an ele- gant four-horse stage awaits the cars. From Geyserville the distance over a beautiful road to the springs is but eight miles, just long enough to give a real zest to the bath, which comes always first and last in order. These justly popu- lar springs grow in reputation every year because they have real merit, and the proprietor does all that can be done for the comfort and pleasure of his numerous patrons. LITTON SPRINGS are located four miles from Healdsburg, on the line of the railroad. They were improved about two years ago by Captain Litton, the owner, at an expense of $80,000. There is a very handsome hotel and a num- ber of cottages. The water is an agreeable seltzer, and is bottled and sold in considerable quantities. When better known, no doubt Litton will become a favorite place of resort. We have not heard who has charge of the hotel for this season. These springs may be reached any day by the regular trains of the San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad. THE MARK WEST SPRINGS are situated in Mark West creek, about nine miles from Santa Rosa; they are beautifully located in a bend of the creek which forms a romantic little dell surrounded by chapparal hills. These hills during the season display colors as rich as the mountain heather, which has been celebrated in the old country in song and story. It is not overdrawing the picture to say that in mid-summer the little valley in which the springs are located, glows like an emerald set about with opals. The chief attraction of this spring is its sulphur bath. They are owned by Judge A. P. Overton, of Santa Rosa, and are leased by Mr. Simpson, an ex- perienced popular landlord. Their nearness to Santo Rosa, and the excellence of the baths will always make Mark West springs a favorite and fashionable place of summer resort. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS are situated two miles and a half from Santa Rosa, under the Cotate peak which overlooks the city. They are owned by John Taylor, and are leased by Mr. Hughes. The place is well improved; the water holds in solution sulphur, soda, magnesia, and iron, and is con- sidered very healing for many of the ills that flesh is heir to. There are also a number of well-fitted bath-rooms supplied with hot and cold mineral water. It is a favorite drive from Santa Rosa to the springs, and they are also pat- ronized by many from abroad. *** end ***