Stafford Springs, Mississippi
Stafford Springs
The area between Laurel and Meridian, MS is filled with springs and artesian wells. One interesting spring, which is filled with minerals, is near Vossburg, MS. The Choctaw Indians first lived in the area around Vossburg and referred to the spring as "Bogohama," which means water of life- taking the sick and unwell to the spring for healing. In the late 1800’s, Captain Stafford, a Confederate officer, ‘found’ the spring and it was given the name Stafford Springs in his honor. In 1892, a company (Stafford Mineral Springs and Hotel Company) was formed in New Orleans, LA to bottle and ship the water throughout the country and In 1899 a hotel was built for people to come and be healed in the mineral rich water. The hotel/spa enjoyed success until the Great Depression hit, as well as advances in Medicine, which argued there was little health benefit to be had from the spring. In 1956, the Hotel was demolished, and the land was purchased and a combination motor lodge/ dude ranch was built on the property, advertizing: “year round air conditioning, room telephones, and super modern baths,” as well as featuring a restaurant and pool. The motor lodge didn’t last very long, and closed its doors in 1956. Since then, the property has changed hands and uses, and all that is left is an abandoned restaurant, and several of the motor court cabins.
