Lithia Springs: Once Upon a Time...

In 1888 Lithia (Salt) Springs, Georgia was a very popular vacation destination. Known then as Salt Springs, Lithia featured a mineral spring spa, a college, a trolley line and a world class hotel. Lisa Cooper has published a couple of Blogs about the history of Lithia (Salt) Springs, a recent post on the and one on

A friend gave me  a small piece of history of Lithia Springs (Salt Springs) . It’s a copy of a poster for the sale of residence lots in the area of South Sweetwater Rd. and Hwy. 78 in beautiful downtown Lithia Springs.The poster shows the subdivision surrounding the Sweet Water Park Hotel and the Chautauqua Grounds. Note the misspelling of "Chautauqua" on the poster.

See the pictures on the right >>>>

South Sweetwater Road was named Sweetwater Ave. and Bankhead Hwy. 78 was named Johnson Ave. The map shows the Sweet Water & Bowden Lithia Rail Road, a trolley line than ran along Hwy. 78 down Peachtree St. behind "78 Body Shop". This is near the Bowden Plantation House.

The poster promotes the auction of 200 lots. Here is how Salt Springs was sold;

“I will sell, upon the premises, on the day named, commencing at 10 o’clock a.m. sharp, 200 residence lots situated at the Piedmont Chatauqua, Salt Springs, Ga.

These lots are on a commanding site, shaded by magnificent forest trees and lie on the east and west side of the Chatauqua Ground, itself a marvel of engineering and landscape skill.

Here is a splendid opportunity for suburban homes, sixteen miles from Atlanta, with rail road facility as convenient as horse cars. The water is pure, the climate equal to any spot in the universe, where the hillsides are bathed in billows of beauty, the fleecy clouds are penciled with a silver lining and the air is freighted with heath-laden zephyrs and every environment conducive to heath, pleasure and happiness.

Purchaser of each lot will be guaranteed the free use of the drinking water at the springs.

A GRAND EXCURSION will run from Atlanta on the day of the sale and a MAGNIFICENT BARBECUE will be prepared by a thoroughly skilled professional chef de’ cuisine. Railroad rates will be reduced, excellent music will be discoursed; everyone will take a holiday, and the ladies of Atlanta and vicinity are especially invited to attend, as only their presence is needed to complete the picture of beauty at the Piedmont Chatauqua.

TERMS OF SALE – One-half cash; balance in 12 months at 7 percent. Titles unquestionable.

G.W. ADAIRS, No. 5 Wall Street Kimball House, ATLANTA, GA.”