MINERAL WELLS

In 1860, after the discover of oil in Pennsylvania, a local company was formed to
drill for oil in Grand Ledge. While no oil was found, they did find mineral water.
This was filled with sulfur and other elements was used at the time for bathing and
drinking as a health curative.

Four wells were drilled. The first was east of the village near the river in the gully
near the corner of River and Franklin Streets. In the 1872 directory, this was
owned by George Cheney. He also ran a cheese factory on 80 acres between
Scott Street and Saginaw Hwy.

The rest of the wells were drilled downtown. One well was near the corner of
Bridge and River streets.. about where the Barn Tavern is today. C. W. Ingalls of
Ionia was the proprietor of this bath house. A third well was drilled near the corner
of Bridge and Front streets.. where the Tastee Freeze is today. This was the site
of a large three story hotel called the "Mineral House" and it offered mineral baths
as well.

A few years later, in the late 1870's another well was drilled on Second Island for
guest of the Seven Islands Resort and Island House Hotel.

An 1880 account tells us: From "History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan"

During the excitement consequent upon the discovery of petroleum in
Pennsylvania, when it was supposed probable that the wealth-producing article could be found anywhere if bored for, the wave rolled over the people of Grand Ledge, and a company was formed to sink a well at this place. The work was performed, but nothing but water of a curious taste rewarded their efforts, although it flowed in as great quantities as they could wish the oil to have done.

Finally, it was discovered that the water possessed medicinal properties, and a large bathing-house was built and Dr. A. R. Ball, now of Corunna, Shiawassee Co., a homoeopathic physician, had charge of it. This well, which is still flowing, is located near the eastern limits of the corporation, on the south side of the river. Three other wells have since been sunk, nearer the business portion of the village. One of these, on an island a short distance below the bridge, is 156 feet deep, and another, at the Mineral House, on the north side of the river, has a depth of 196 feet. The taste of the water from the island well indicates that it is principally charged with iron and sulphur; an analysis has not yet been made.