Not far from my home.......

[Spinster]

As always, Thanks to Vicki Betts of the University of Texas for her transcriptions of southern papers...........

The South suffered throughout the war from lack of its own manufacturing capacity. This is one of many articles well pre-war that calls attention to the need to purchase locally.


ATHENS (ALABAMA) HERALD, June 13, 1856, p. 3, c. 2

Valhermoso.
White Sulphur Springs—Morgan County, Alabama .

This celebrated and fashionable watering place, is now open for the reception of visitors, where the invalid will find salutary relief from the use of the water, and the votary of pleasure a pleasant retreat, surrounded by the usual enjoyments that will “drive dull care away,” in the pastimes enumerated in the advertisement, which appears in another column. All who may visit these Springs will find the gentlemanly proprietor Mr. Giers a very hospitable attentive Host. We will vouch for that—as he has extended to us a pressing invitation to come over and rusticate with him a while, which he would not have done, had he not been a very clever landlord. We never have been popular with any other class of men.

We also call attention to the advertisement of Messrs. Milner, Mayes, & Co’s Woolen Factory in Lauderdale County . We have seen the fabrics, produced at their establishment, the blankets and negro cloths particularly, and we say to our planting and other friends, that they are a superior and durable article, and economy would suggest the use of these fabrics, three to one, over the use of the Northern manufactures. A few more men of the enterprising character of Drury Mayes, Esq., who would employ their surplus capital in enterprises of this sort, would soon render us independent and make the Tennessee valley the home of prosperous thrift, not to be rivalled [sic] by any other portion of the habitable globe.

[Spinster]

I wonder how the cash outlay compares to a current week at Disneyworld? The "hack from Huntsville" traveled a distance of approximately 20 miles, depending on where the Tennessee River crossing was made.



ATHENS HERALD, June 13, 1856, p. 3, c. 2

Valhermoso.

White Sulphur Springs.

Morgan County, Alabama.

This celebrated Watering Place formerly kept by J. Wallace Manning & Co., has been put in repair, and will be opened to visitors on the 1st of July, 1856. The different Mineral waters, and their efficacy in curing Rheumatism, Dyspepsia, and diseases of the Skin, are too well known to require further notice here, and the water of the new spring has also proved highly beneficial in several instances. The rooms have been fitted up with entire new furniture, beds and bedding; a vineyard and pleasure grounds have been laid off, and a stable and carriage house put up. For the young and gay a succession of amusements will be provided, and fine hunting and fishing grounds can be found in the immediate vicinity of the springs. A Hack will run from Huntsville to the Springs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and a conveyance will be sent to Bower’s Landing, (3 miles) for those coming by the boats.

Rates of Charges.

Board by the day, $1 25
“ “ “ week 7 00
“ “ two weeks 6 00
Children according to age. Servants half price.

J. J. Giers & Co.
Huntsville, May 31, 1856.
I state with pleasure, that by the use of the waters at the White Sulphur Springs, last season, I was entirely cured of a very severe attack of Rheumatism, which had paralized [sic] my arm, and that another member of my family was restored to health at the same place.
Wm. Matkin.
June 13—1m.

[Bear Flagger]

Disneyland (not sure about Disneyworld) is $100 for a one day park hopper pass. With wages anywhere from 10 cents a day to 25 cents a week probably kept the riff raff out.

[hanktrent]

Disneyland (not sure about Disneyworld) is $100 for a one day park hopper pass. With wages anywhere from 10 cents a day to 25 cents a week probably kept the riff raff out.

Were wages really that low? I'd guess ten times that for an average male laborer.

Those prices at the watering place sound affordable.

Here's an example of a family looking for ordinary accomodations in a hotel or boarding house for the long term, a little earlier, around 1840, with prices ranging from 40 dollars down to 16 dollars a week for a family, the latter breaking down to $5 each per adult, $3 for older children and a servant free.

I expect, though, that a lot of the cost was made up in extras, like in the link above where any food not eaten at the table during meals was charged for. The watering place, also, is going to be selling water, doctor's services, etc.

Edited to add: For comparison, I looked for the prices of someplace that would surely be at the high end of the range, the Astor House in New York City. "The entire charge for board and lodging, service included, in the Astor House, was two dollars and a half... per diem, for a single individual. This is a common charge at the best hotels; in a few instances the charge being as high as three, and sometimes as low as one or two dollars." Source. So the watering place certainly wasn't pushing the limit with their base charges.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com