Finding aid to the Bedford Alum and Iron Springs Company Account Book

JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
BEDFORD ALUM AND IRON SPRINGS COMPANY ACCOUNT BOOK
The account book of the Bedford Alum and Iron Springs Company (1877-1879)
includes accounts with the Virginia Savings Bank, including items purchased and the
price paid.

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JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(804) 846-0501
BEDFORD ALUM AND IRON SPRINGS COMPANY
Bedford Alum and Iodine Springs Company was chartered
by the General Assembly of Virginia in an act passed 20
March 1877. The purpose of the company was "to purchase
and operate the Bedford Alum and Iodine Springs estate in
Campbell County, Virginia." With a capital stock of
$100,000, the company planned to acquire lands in Campbell
and Bedford counties, not to exceed 500 acres. Plans were
also made to "erect buildings for the accommodation and
entertainment of visitors." In 1878, the name was changed
to the Bedford Alum and Iron Springs Company.
Bedford Alum and Iron Springs operated as a summer
resort and was located at New London, on the border between
Campbell and Bedford counties, "twelve miles from...Lynchburg...four miles from Forest Depot [Bedford County]...and
four miles from Lawyer's Station [Campbell County]."
The waters of the Springs, "known as Aluminous
Sulphated Chalybeate," were advertised as having "tonic,
alterative, diuretic, astringent, aperient, solvent and
anti-periodic properties," and were used in the treatment
of "dyspepsia, debility, nervousness, headache, bronchial
and cutaneous affections, scrofula, diseases peculiar to
women, chronic diarrhea, chills and malaria." "These
springs also put up the water in the shape of salts, which
[was] sent by mail anywhere."
The property, including hotel buildings, dormitory,
billiard hall, ten-pin alley, electric light plant, and a
farm of 165.10 acres, with orchards and farm buildings, was
auctioned 24 July 1924.
[Acts and Joint Resolutions Passed by the General Assembly of the State
of Virginia, 1876-77 (Richmond: F. Walker, 1877), p. 172; Acts and
Joint Resolutions Passed by the General Assembly of the State of
Virginia, 1877-78 (Richmond: R. F. Walker, 1878), p. 260; "Bedford Alum
and Iron Springs, of Virginia, J. W. Younger, Lessee," (N.p.:n.pub,
1885), Mss., PAM1499, Jones Memorial Library, Lynchburg, VA; "Absolute

(Continued)
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BEDFORD ALUM AND IRON SPRINGS COMPANY
(Continued)
Auction, Bedford Iron and Alum Springs, M. L. Newbill, Proprietor,"
(Lynchburg: Walker, Mosby & Calvert, 1924), Mss., PAM2463, Jones
Memorial Library, Lynchburg, VA; "Absolute Auction, Bedford Alum
Springs," Lynchburg News, 22 July 1924, p. 11, col. 6-7; Lynchburg City
Directory for 1883-84 (Lynchburg: J. P. Bell, 1883), p. 253.]

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