Page 136 - Demo

134Martinsville%u2014City of Mineral Water. So proclaims a neon sign, atop a building across from the Courthouse. Back in the late 1800s, this Morgan County town boasted a dozen spas (then known as sanatoriums) where o u t - o f - t o w n e r s drank and bathed in the local %u201chealthy%u201d water. Today, just two spa buildings remain, and John and I visited the one that was closed.First a little history. In 1898, an Indianapolis bicycle manufacturer named Bellis purchased two adjacent sanatoriums. By merging the Artesian Sanatorium into the Martinsville Sanatorium, he created one large, popular resort but, in 1913, it was badly damaged by a flood. Five years later, Bellis sold the waterravaged spa to his son-in-law, Walter Kennedy.Kennedy gave the place a new name%u2014Martinsville Mineral Springs%u2014and made some elaborate plans. By 1928, the spa was reborn as an impressive, block-long, brick structure, within a short stroll of the railroad station. Tudor Revival in style, it could accommodate as many as 150 guests. It was promoted as %u201cOne of the Three Best Known Watering Places in America%u201d%u2014and it probably was.However, after the local spas lost their popularity, Kennedy donated his to the National Benevolent Association of the Disciples of Christ Churches in 1957. They converted the building into a retirement community called The Kennedy Memorial Home. When John and I were given permission to photograph the old resort, the retirement home had moved out (into a newer building next door), and only 20% of the 1928 building remained%u2014its fate unknown.As we wandered around, we found hardwood floors covered by worn carpet, and a mahogany staircase and woodwork coated with layers of paint. Yet, some details from the old days remained, such as a small, beautifully tiled niche that once served up mineral water. I found the doors of the upper-level guest rooms of particular interest. Because the spa was constructed before air conditioning, each room had two lockable doors in the same frame%u2014one was solid, the other louvered. When guests wanted cross ventilation, they would simply open their window, close the louvered door, then swing the solid door out of the way.On the main floor, just inside the archtopped front windows, we discovered a hodgepodge of worn-out, hospital-style beds%u2014a sad commentary on the decline of this onceproud place.A Retired SpaMartinsville Sanatorium, Martinsville%u2014Morgan Co. (721.09)Martinsville Sanatorium, Martinsville%u2014Morgan Co. (722.09)