While performing the steps for this earthcache, please practice social distancing in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Please read this before going any further!
You are about to perform an earthcache. There is no container for this cache. There are questions at the bottom of this page write up that need to be answered. You will need to go to Point State Park and perform these tasks and EMAIL or MESSAGE ME the answers to these questions. If I do not receive either or with your answers, your will WILL BE deleted. This is the only proof that I have you were actually there. Pictures DO NOT count as your answers. Do not post your answers in your log, not even if they are encrypted! Anyone can take a picture and post it and say they were there.
In the early 1700’s, the Shawnee and Delaware Indians inhabited the area north of Raccoon Creek. Because of the natural uniqueness of the area, the springs drew the attention of both the hunting and war parties of the two tribes. At one time, an Indian warpath followed a ridge from Raccoon Creek to the east and Kings Creek to the west.
European settlers began to move into the area with the arrival of the French and English. The French contended that anyone who discovered a river was entitled to the land around that river and its tributaries and laid claim to the Ohio River region. The English countered that the lands were owned by the various Native American tribes and therefore the land and the tribes fell under the protection of the English Crown.
The rivalry between the English and the French sparked the French and Indian war. The war was mostly fought in areas north of the Ohio River, which left the southern portion of this area relatively free of Native Americans. One European took advantage of this opportunity in Beaver County, only a short distance from the Mineral Springs. In the spring of 1772, Levi Dungan made a journey from Philadelphia to the area that is now known as Beaver County. He claimed an area of 1000 acres and established a settlement about a mile from the Mineral Springs, building a crude log cabin on this land. This cabin was built in what is the present day borough of Frankfort Springs.
In 1778, Isaac Stephens purchased 400 acres, which included the Mineral Springs, from Dungan for $10. In 1827, Stephens sold 12 acres, including the Mineral Springs, to Edward McGinnis for $300. McGinnis has been credited with discovering that the mineral waters had “healing powers.” He began to build the Frankfort House in the mid 1800’s so he could capitalize on his investment. After construction was completed on the Frankfort House, popularity followed and soon, 200 guests were staying at the spa.
As the springs grew in popularity, so did the area around the springs. As people traveled west down the Lincoln Highway, they would stop in the area and a small village began to quickly develop. The village of Frankfort was named shortly after Beaver County was incorporated. After Frankfort village was named, the springs were renamed from Frankfort House to Frankfort Mineral Springs. The village of Frankfort then renamed itself to Frankfort Springs.
At the turn of the century, the spring’s popularity waned as vacationers began to visit resorts in the mountains and along the coast. Because of the loss of vacationers, the number of residents in Frankfort Springs began to dwindle and the village soon had fewer then 100 residents. By 1912, Frankfort Mineral Springs closed as a health spa and the water was bottled and sold to nearby towns. During the 1920’s and 1930’s, the water from the springs was bottled and sold as battery water for automobiles. The resort’s final chapter was written when a fire started in the kitchen and destroyed the resort’s restaurant in 1932. The remains of the health spa can be found at N 40*29.927 W 080*25.853.
The springs are located within the upper end of a thickly wooded ravine within a U-shaped shale and sandstone grotto foundation. This small grotto was carved out of solid rock thousands of years ago by a stream. This stream today forms a waterfall that spills over the rim of the ravine. The springs are located across from this waterfall. The water from the stream and the falls comes from two different sources: the falls water comes from surface drainage, while the water from the springs comes from an underground reservoir.
In order to get credit for visiting this earthcache, you will need to answer the following questions. When you visit the springs, please bring the following items with you: a small tape measure, a one-gallon Ziploc bag and a watch or stop clock. Please do not leave the bag behind at the springs after you are done taking your measurements.
Park at N 40* 29.871 W 080* 25.667, be sure to read the Beaver County Historical Marker.
Now proceed to N 40* 29.904 W 080* 25.863 and answer the following questions.
I have omitted question 1 as the Beaver County Historical Marker is no longer here.
When looking at the springs, what color is the discoloration on the walls and what mineral in the water could have caused this discoloration?
Next, take your tape measure and measure the diameter of the largest basin. What is the diameter of the basin?
Your final task is to take the gallon bag that you brought with you and fill it with water from the spring that is flowing into the largest basin. Once your bag has filled, you will then need to figure out how many gallons of water is flowing from the spring per minute. Your results will vary, depending on what time of the year you are here.
In order to obtain your smiley, email us your answers to the above questions. Do not post your answers in your log, as your log will be deleted.
We would like to thank DCNR for allowing us to put this earthcache at Frankfort Mineral Springs. We would also like to thank Friends of Raccoon for allowing us to use information from their publication “Frankfort Mineral Springs: Natural and Historic Area 1772-1932”.
Cache has been approved by:
