Hunter's Hot Springs (Oregon)
Encyclopedia
Hunter's Hot Springs are natural geothermal springs located in Lake County
, Oregon
, United States, two miles (three km) north of Lakeview
. The springs are named after Harry Hunter, who bought the springs in 1923. The best known feature within the geothermal area is Old Perpetual, which was once Oregon's only continuously erupting geyser
. The geyser was formed as a result of a well drilling attempt while Hunter was developing a health resort at the springs.
, who noted in their journal that the water was unbearably hot. They are a small group of alkaline thermal springs in Lake County's Goose Lake Valley
, two miles north of Lakeview. The temperature of the various springs ranges from 185 to 210 F. The spring water is alkaline with a high concentration of sulfate
and other minerals. This environment supports large bacterial mats in the natural channels that drain the springs. As a result, the bacterial mat communities at the hot springs have been studied and analyzed by microbiologist
s from around the world.
The geyser, still heavily promoted by the local Chamber of Commerce as a "must see" destination, has not erupted since June 2009, possibly due in part to the nearby geothermal development by the Town of Lakeview to supply the Warner Creek Correctional Facility with water for heating. Proposed further development of the site for geothermal power generation purposes threaten the entire hot springs wetlands.
, Minnesota
. Hunter visited the site in 1919 while on a tour of the western United States. In 1923, he purchased the 40 acres (16.2 ha) parcel that included the hot springs with the intention of developing a health resort
. He began by organizing Hunter's Chlorine Hot Springs Club, a business established to develop the hot springs as a therapy, rest, and recuperation resort. The club's first president was H. A. Utley and the resort's general manager was Dr. H. G. Kelty.
As Hunter started to develop the site in 1923, he was not satisfied with the amount of hot water the springs produced naturally so he had three wells drilled on the property. To his surprise, all three erupted as hot water geysers. Two of the geysers eventually died away, but one, Old Perpetual, still erupted every 40 to 120 seconds, depending on the seasonal water table level, until 2009.
The original resort building was constructed in 1925. As soon as the facility was finished, Dr. Kelty moved his medical practice to the site. A second building was added in 1926. In 1929, Kelty joined four other doctors to open a medical clinic at the site. Together the doctors purchased the hot springs, club facilities and equipment. In November 1929, a restaurant was opened to support their clinic practice.
The clinic was sold in 1943. The new owners built a motel and cocktail lounge to complete the resort facilities. In the early 1990s, the outdoor pool was replaced and a racquetball court was added. New owners renovated the resort facilities again in 2000. Today, the resort operates a motel, lounge, and restaurant. The 104 °F (40 °C) mineral pool is available to guests and the viewing area for Old Perpetual is open to the public.
Lake County, Oregon
Lake County is a county in the high desert south central region of the U.S. state of Oregon, so named for the many lakes found within its boundaries, including Lake Abert, Hart Lake Reservoir, and Goose Lake. While Lake is among Oregon's largest counties, it is sparsely populated with 7,895...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, United States, two miles (three km) north of Lakeview
Lakeview, Oregon
Lakeview is a city in Lake County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,294 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lake County. Although it is an incorporated city, the municipal government refers to the community as "The Town of Lakeview", and bills itself as "Tallest Town in Oregon"...
. The springs are named after Harry Hunter, who bought the springs in 1923. The best known feature within the geothermal area is Old Perpetual, which was once Oregon's only continuously erupting geyser
Geyser
A geyser is a spring characterized by intermittent discharge of water ejected turbulently and accompanied by a vapour phase . The word geyser comes from Geysir, the name of an erupting spring at Haukadalur, Iceland; that name, in turn, comes from the Icelandic verb geysa, "to gush", the verb...
. The geyser was formed as a result of a well drilling attempt while Hunter was developing a health resort at the springs.
Springs
The hot springs were discovered in 1832 by trappers from the Hudson's Bay CompanyHudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
, who noted in their journal that the water was unbearably hot. They are a small group of alkaline thermal springs in Lake County's Goose Lake Valley
Goose Lake Valley
The Goose Lake Valley is located in south-central Oregon and northeastern California, United States. It is a high valley at the northwestern corner of North America’s basin and range province. Much of the valley floor is covered by Goose Lake, a large endorheic lake that straddles the...
, two miles north of Lakeview. The temperature of the various springs ranges from 185 to 210 F. The spring water is alkaline with a high concentration of sulfate
Sulfate
In inorganic chemistry, a sulfate is a salt of sulfuric acid.-Chemical properties:...
and other minerals. This environment supports large bacterial mats in the natural channels that drain the springs. As a result, the bacterial mat communities at the hot springs have been studied and analyzed by microbiologist
Microbiologist
A microbiologist is a scientist who works in the field of microbiology. Microbiologists study organisms called microbes. Microbes can take the form of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists...
s from around the world.
Old Perpetual
The most striking feature at Hunter's Hot Springs is Old Perpetual. It once released a plume of 200 °F (93.3 °C) water 50 to 60 ft (15.2 to 18.3 m) into the air every 90 seconds. Because of its former regular and rapid eruption pattern, Old Perpetual geyser was one of Lake County's most popular tourist attractions.The geyser, still heavily promoted by the local Chamber of Commerce as a "must see" destination, has not erupted since June 2009, possibly due in part to the nearby geothermal development by the Town of Lakeview to supply the Warner Creek Correctional Facility with water for heating. Proposed further development of the site for geothermal power generation purposes threaten the entire hot springs wetlands.
Resort
Hunter's Hot Springs are named after Harry Hunter, a land developer from MinneapolisMinneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
. Hunter visited the site in 1919 while on a tour of the western United States. In 1923, he purchased the 40 acres (16.2 ha) parcel that included the hot springs with the intention of developing a health resort
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
. He began by organizing Hunter's Chlorine Hot Springs Club, a business established to develop the hot springs as a therapy, rest, and recuperation resort. The club's first president was H. A. Utley and the resort's general manager was Dr. H. G. Kelty.
As Hunter started to develop the site in 1923, he was not satisfied with the amount of hot water the springs produced naturally so he had three wells drilled on the property. To his surprise, all three erupted as hot water geysers. Two of the geysers eventually died away, but one, Old Perpetual, still erupted every 40 to 120 seconds, depending on the seasonal water table level, until 2009.
The original resort building was constructed in 1925. As soon as the facility was finished, Dr. Kelty moved his medical practice to the site. A second building was added in 1926. In 1929, Kelty joined four other doctors to open a medical clinic at the site. Together the doctors purchased the hot springs, club facilities and equipment. In November 1929, a restaurant was opened to support their clinic practice.
The clinic was sold in 1943. The new owners built a motel and cocktail lounge to complete the resort facilities. In the early 1990s, the outdoor pool was replaced and a racquetball court was added. New owners renovated the resort facilities again in 2000. Today, the resort operates a motel, lounge, and restaurant. The 104 °F (40 °C) mineral pool is available to guests and the viewing area for Old Perpetual is open to the public.