Written by Ryan Lewis
Cradled in between a vast array of local mountain ranges, about 100 miles north of San Francisco, lies a lesser-known hidden gem: Lake County, California. Lake County was officially recognized and created in 1861, being created from portions of Napa, and Mendocino Counties. Lake County has a lengthy history and has seen a constant human population for over 10,000 years. The draw of humans to Lake County can be attributed to Clear Lake's abundant resources and game.
Clearlake has been constantly inhabited for thousands of years, initially by the Native population, and later by western settlers leading into the modern era. Lake County's abundant wildlife, game, and watersheds, have provided the resources needed for humanity to thrive. In the mid 1800’s, both pre- and post-Gold Rush eras and the Westward Expansion led to the modern re-discovery of numerous natural springs here in Lake County.
Since the Westward Expansion, and Gold Rush eras, many hidden gems have been discovered in Lake County, and those discoveries continue today. The push West for fertile lands and prosperous lives have contributed to the permanent settlement of Lake County. In the mid 1800’s, many western frontiersmen explorers are credited for the re-discovery of hot springs, creeks, and otherwise extremely fertile lands. By the mid 1850’s, and early 1860’s, many of the hot springs had been discovered. The first of these was Harbin Hot Springs.
Harbin Hot Springs was rediscovered by James Harbin in 1852, and the land was quickly claimed by James, leading him to name the springs and nearby mountain to his likeness. By 1860 he bought out his partner to gain sole ownership. In the late 1860’s, James Harbin sold to Richard Williams. By 1870, Williams had purchased Harbin and created Harbin Springs Health and Pleasure Resort. This 1870’s resort had a large hotel built on the side of the mountain, very close to the spring. Due to the area’s precipitation and spring water, much vegetation grows in late winter and into early summer. By late summer, vegetation dries significantly, which has led to many fires at the Harbin property. The original resort hotel was built in the 1870’s and then burned during a wildfire, and other hotels built in its place also have burned, with the most recent being the devastating Valley Fire of 2015.
Harbin Hot Springs has had many reconstructive efforts, many owners, and different uses. Today, at the Harbin Hot Springs property, relics of the past are still visible. These relics include foundations, supports, old cast iron & terracotta plumbing, stone stairways that lead to buildings that once stood, and no longer do. There are several places on property where you can find old soaking pools that have not been used in decades, or longer. Both Native American, and Western American Expansionist artifacts are still found to this day. On property, Native American seed and grain grindstones can be found, dating back from hundreds to thousands of years old. Harbin property is a truly resilient place, given that it is still being built and improved upon to this day. The cycle of re-building due to wildfire has taken place here at Harbin for over a century. The Spirit of The Harbin Resort endures, as can be seen to this day. Harbin Hot Springs is one of the last hot springs resorts still in operation in the area today, truly standing the test of time and the wrath of mother nature. Come by and check us out!
Bartlett Springs Resort was discovered by Green Bartlett in 1869, and his first resort was built quickly thereafter. Green Bartlett was on a camping trip when he discovered the springs. While bathing, the lightly carbonated spring water helped with his rheumatism. This resort was world renowned for the healing properties of the water and the beautiful nature of the location. It is commonly known that people would visit from all around the world, making multiple months, and even multiple year-round trips.
By 1914, Bartlett Springs had become the most popular and largest resort in Lake County, California. During this time, many other hot spring resorts were in full operation in Lake County. Bartlett Springs had become such a successful community that at one point it had a post office, butchers’ shop, general store, an on-site doctor, and more. At its prime, Bartlett Springs Resort could host over 500 guests comfortably. Bartlett Springs then began bottling its water, which became world famous. These bottles of water were first shipped to San Francisco and then shipped over the ocean to various other continents.
On October 12th, 1935, the resort suffered a catastrophic wildfire that almost destroyed the entire resort, leaving behind a mere fraction of what once stood tall and proud in the canyon. The following years also suffered declining guest numbers, due to the automobile revolution in the United States. Automobiles became more readily available and affordable for the average working family, which also cut guest numbers down significantly, due to the “Family Road Trip” golden days. In Spring of 2007, the last lodge burned to the ground by a suspected arsonist. In the following years, additional wildfires burned the rest of what little buildings remained. At the time of the writing of this article, nothing remains on the property aside from old foundations, and a waterpipe for a passersby to collect drinking water. Nestle purchased the property in 1985 and continues to own it today.
Seigler Springs was rediscovered by Thomas Seigler in the 1860’s and a resort was quickly constructed by the 1870’s. By 1909, the resort was a popular destination with enough room to accommodate over 150 guests in a main hotel, and several cabins. The main hotel had a large dining area crafted from locally quarried stone. By 1914, much expansion had taken place and could then comfortably accommodate around 250 guests.
The water at Seigler Springs varied in temperature and quality, much like Harbin and Bartlett. Many different stone bathhouses were constructed around the different springs. The result was different bathhouses for different water compositions and temperatures.
The Seigler Springs Resort was bought and sold several times since its initial construction, and the property is still inhabited to this day.
Above I have listed and quickly described just three of the popular resorts in Lake County, California, (two of which cease to exist today). If you visit Lake County during summertime, it is not uncommon to experience temperatures of over 110 degrees. The area resembles desert conditions in an extreme summer month, with a colorful show of dried yellow golden grass and dull green leaves on the various Oaks, and Digger Pines. With these given factors, on an average summer day with extremely low humidity, one would not expect Lake County to bear so many freshwater springs. A couple of factors cause the large number of springs in this area.
The Clearlake Volcanic Field, believe it or not, covers a large area. Volcanic areas are known to produce hot springs and cold springs. As tectonic and volcanic activity occurs, it creates fissures, cracks, and voids in which rain and melt-water seep into. Over the course of time, this seeped water reaches heat sources. This rising steam and high temperature water re-condenses, and pressure pushes it back up through the ground, resulting in hot and cold springs. Some spring water must travel through more earth than others, with differing cooling effects, resulting in variations in spring water temperatures and compositions.
Lake County, California has an abundance of these springs, resulting in the creation of many Hot Spring Resorts in the county. These resorts contributed to the early settlement of Western Expansionists, and the steady, yet slow accumulation of population throughout the years in Lake County. These series of events have helped shape the Lake County we know and love today.
