The era of health/spa tourism is a fascinating chapter in American history, and the City of Marlin... read more
The era of health/spa tourism is a fascinating chapter in American history, and the City of Marlin... read more
While the site itself doesn't have much besides a hot mineral water fountain and an empty footbath... read more
Before penicillin, Marlin mineral water was sought after by many people. Several professional baseballs teams would come here to soak in the water at bathhouses. Many people still use the water for various aches, pains, wounds, etc. It does appear to have healing effects.
its a run down town, i would go during the day. but it was so cool seeing the old Hilton. you can see inside and there's stuff still there it literally looks like they just picked up and left. right next to the chamber of commerce is where you'll find the mineral well fountain. you only need a few mins to walk around. real close is an abandoned building that look like like it may be home to squatters. i literally got out to take a pic of the hotel and the fountain and rushed back to the car to get out of there. this city was in its prime but that was a long time ago. it would be beautiful with some tender love and car and a whole lot of patience.
Marlin, Texas is an economically challenged town. Poverty is very visible there.
Historic hotel and mineral water enthusiast might consider a drive by of the mineral well that still flows natural mineral water at 105 degrees or the old Conrad Hilton Hotel (now closed). When constructed back in 1929 this structure Conrad Hilton's 8th hotel.
Marlin was home to spring training for the Cincinnati Reds back in 1907. The New York (now San Francisco) Giants also conducted spring training here from 1908 to 1918. However, I could not location for the baseball fields.
Locaiton of fountain and hotel are 245 Coleman Street, Marlin TX.
Do not worry if you drive pass this town.
The era of health/spa tourism is a fascinating chapter in American history, and the City of Marlin could do itself a huge favor by capitalizing on that. The fading murals on the walls near the Chamber of Commerce speak to a bygone era. Marlin seems to have had a fascinating history, but there seems to be no interest in preserving it. On a Saturday afternoon, nearly every business on the main street was closed. The fountain at the Chamber with the mineral water was a disgrace. Conrad Hilton's eighth hotel stands nearly in ruins a few steps from the mineral fountain-- what could be a destination point is a bat-infested shell of a building that looks more like a crack house than an historic building. That beautiful hotel was under construction as the stock market crashed in 1929, yet fewer than 100 years later, it lies in ruins after years of neglect. By spending more than a few minutes in town, you can tell that Marlin must've been awesome in its heyday. Too bad no one seems able to bring that back. This place really could be a cool, retro destination spot. But someone in Marlin needs to get the ball rolling.
I have been going to the healing water fountain for the last 3 years, the waters run hot and feel awesome...BUT city cutbacks have cost the fountain! They have no one that does clean up, the building is crumbling, and there is no lighting at night. The faucets are always broken and the foot bath is dirty. Chamber of Commerce Office is there in building and Cynthia is very nice and cares about the water, city and people of Marlin.... but it takes money and effort to make this a place to stop.
The city that should treasure the gift of this water seems to want to turn it's back on it's history and proven medicinal attributes. I have been doing alternative health practices for 5 years and it seems to me that it is shunned here.
While visiting Marlin I stopped in at the Chamber to see the mineral waters....pretty disgusting. Some old fountains and container-filling spots there, but I wouldn't touch it. I'm sure once it was pretty unique and clean, but not worth the stop.