History of Harrodsburg, A: Saratoga of the South

Book excerpt: Established in 1774 by the famed pioneer James Harrod, the city of Harrodsburg was the first European heritage town west of the Allegheny Mountains. With the discovery of a number of mineral springs in the area, several local residents thought that the springs could be turned into a tourist attraction. During the early nineteenth century, Greenville Springs, Harrodsburg Springs and Graham Springs became some of the most popular spas and hotels in the South, and Harrodsburg became known as the "Saratoga of the South." These springs offered rest, relaxation and accommodations for the entire family. Join historian Bobbi Dawn Rightmyer as she revisits the stories behind how simple mineral springs turned a small town into a nationwide vacation hotspot.