Miracle Mineral Water of Carlsbad
Carlsbad, California
The city of Carlsbad was built on the promise of a magical spring, issuing the "Most Healthful Water in the World." In 1882, Capt. John A. Frazier drilled three wells for his farm, from 415 to 510 feet deep. He hit two artesian springs and endless quantities of fresh water. The liquid that bubbled up had such alkaline and superior taste properties that soon folks were swearing it healed their gout or eased their pain. A hotel and spa was built, and the town grew, renamed after Karlsbad, Bohemia, also renowned for its healing water.
Another hotel and spa were erected across the street in 1930, and Hollywood luminaries visited to experience the spring's restorative powers. It was promoted as a "Therapeutic Eden In a Glass."
Then the Great Depression hit, and the wells failed due to poor maintenance. Sixty years passed before someone came to their senses, restored the plumbing and facilities, and reopened in 1994.
The site is now a thriving water business -- we saw customers pull up their cars full of empty jugs every few minutes and fill up at outdoor dispensers for 70 cents a gallon. A springs evangelist patrolled the sidewalk, singing praises of Carlsbad's "Living Water." Inside a Bavarian style building there's the spa, where trained masseuses apply slimming wraps, facials, and body treatments using Carlsbad Mineral Water.
The public plaza features an information gazebo, two large metal storage tanks, and a 10 ft. tall statue of Capt. Frazier, appearing to thank the heavens for his good fortune. The plate bronze sculpture is by artist Kaclac Lokvenc, donated by the sister spa city of Karlovy (Carlsbad) in the Czech Republic. It depicts the Water Wizard hoisting a fancy cup of his discovery.