Famous for the medicinal quality of its water when three separate mineral springs were discovered in the area, the town of Excelsior Springs got its start in the 1880’s. The water from the springs was bottled and shipped all over the country, putting Excelsior Springs on the map. Ultimately as many as 20 different springs were found with four distinct types of water. The city’s first hotel, the Excelsior, was built in 1881. In fact, the word Excelsior has come to be defined as a high-quality hotel. The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad extended its line through Excelsior Springs on its way from Chicago to Kansas City in 1887. In the early 1900’s Excelsior Springs became the perfect spot for conventions and several new hotels were constructed to house the thousands of visitors. President Harry Truman spent the night of the 1948 election at the Elms Resort Hotel and Spa. During the Great Depression, the city received $1 million in federal aid from the Works Project Administration, using it to build the Hall of Waters. Much of the history of the area can be discovered at the Excelsior Springs Museum and Archives.
A Grade Potential Tutor can get you ahead of the curve in your academic studies so you can take some time to discover all the things to do in Excelsior Springs. Opened in 1937 the Hall of Waters is one of the best attractions in the city. The hall was constructed so that water from the various natural springs in the area could be piped into one spot. The original complex offered bath houses, spa and therapy pools but today is mostly for tourists. It boasts the “World’s Longest Water Bar” as well as Mayan influenced friezes, high windows and futuristic chandeliers. The Art Deco building is in the National Register of Historic Places.
Just a few minutes north of Excelsior Springs, Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and State Historic Site will appeal to both history buffs as well as those into the outdoors. The 1,400-acre park is the site of the woolen mill and town built in 1860 as one of the nation’s first planned communities. It sustained itself through the production of yarn and wool cloth. Existing historic sites in the park include Watkins House and Franklin School, both dating from the 1860’s. The park also has nearly 100 campsites and a 100-acre lake for bass fishing.
Excelsior Springs also benefits from the fact that it is only 30 miles from the sprawling Kansas City metropolitan area. For sports fans that means it’s not a long drive to see professional or college sports. The NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs play at 76,000 seat Arrowhead Stadium and baseball’s Kansas City Royals play next door at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals were World Series champions in 2015. Kansas City is also the site of the annual Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship.
