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THE SPA ERAS

COLONIAL HEALTH SPA - 1722-1777

The earliest listing of Yellow Springs on a map is 1722. By 1750, Robert Pritchard had opened a public house of entertainment establishing the Colonial Era of the Spa.

FASHIONABLE HEALTH SPA -  1781-1860

MARGARET HOLMEN - Innkeeper

 Following the Revolutionary War, the spa property was to regenerate into a fashionable spa. This was due in large part to MRS. MARGARET HOLMAN who wished to assert her legal rights, assure her financial independence and to establish her position of entrepreneur.  In 1816, her husband Frederick owned parts of the Yellow Springs property and when Frederick died, she petitioned the Chester County Court to allow her to take ownership of the spa property.  Women did not own property at that time.  She prevailed and set about to expand the spa with new buildings and springhouses.  By 1838, she owned the entire property managing three hotels.

People arrived via boat passage to Norristown followed by a stagecoach drive to the springs.  Mrs. Holman offered choice liquors, good wines, delicacies of the season and the best wait staff and the best musicians for the dances held 2-3 times per week.  She made Yellow Springs the place to be and to be seen. 

Mrs. Holman sold the spa property in 1845 to Dr. George Lingen who managed it as a homeopathic and hydropathical hospital and spa.