WYRICK MINERAL SPRINGS OF CROCKETT, VA

The Wyrick Spring story begins back in 1876 when E. R. Wyrick purchased the land, and while building a fence around a swampy area on the land the spring burst forth from a recently dug post hole.(1) Wyrick and a C. B. Thomas, of Wytheville, VA, decided to market the water by bottling the water, and building a bathhouse.(1) The water was first carbonated by the Wytheville Crystal Ice Company, after having the water shipped to them via train in barrels, with whom the partners signed a ten year contract in 1906.(1)

M. S. Bennett, of Abingdon, bought the land and spring in 1911, and was the person who built the Wyrick Inn on the site.(1) The water was also piped to a bottling plant near the railroad station in Crockett, VA, from here the water was shipped to points all over the Eastern United States.(1) Bennett sold the property to Charles F. Hagan in 1920, and Hagan created The Wyrick Spring Company of Bristol, VA which was incorporated on September 23, 1920.(2) The officers were Charles F. Hagan President & Treasurer, of Bristol, VA, John S. Dix First Vice President, D. Reed Porter Second Vice President, & General Manager, and E. T. Williams as Secretary, all three being from Crockett, VA. Hagan upgraded the Wyrick Inn to electricity and installed a furnace so that people could stay at the resort year round.(1)

It is under the ownership of Hagan that the water itself would take on a much more prominent position and gain its notoriety. From what I can gather they offered the water in its natural form in Half Gallon bottles, five gallon carboy (a very large glass bottle much like the plastic type used in modern water coolers), and finally in 55 gallon galvanized steel barrels. They also offered a line of carbonated water which included carbonated mineral water, Ginger Ale, and if the J. C. Layman (Wyrick Spring Product) bottles are any indicator, Mint Cola as well. For more information on the Wyrick Mineral Spring Company which was located in Bristol, VA then click this link for my Wyrick Spring Company of Bristol, VA page.

The charter was revoked on August 20, 1935 by the State Corporation Commission, and the property was sold the same year to James N. Denton of Bristol, and the resort ceased to operate as a hotel.(1) After being used as a private residence the hotel was dismantled in 1957, and the property was purchased by Rolfe M. Miller of Wytheville who planted trees, shrubs, kept up the grounds around the spring (1), evidence of which can be seen today if you happen to decide to take a crazy side trip to see the spot where quite possibly the most famous natural mineral springs in Southwest Virginia resides.

The Wyrick Spring house in Crockett, VA

A closer look at the spring house

This is what the spring house looked like around 1923. The gentleman in the photo appears to be Charles F. Hagan.

The famous Wyrick Spring water itself

This is the Wyrick Spring Hotel where the visitors of the famous spring would stay.

The level area partway up the hill in this photograph was the location for the Wyrick Spring hotel. I have also recently discovered that there was also a smaller building at the bottom of the hill near the creek.

Wyrick Water label much like the one on the bottle below

A paper labeled 1/2 Gallon Wyrick Spring Water jug with an almost complete label and the original foil wrapped cork.

A 1923 Wyrick Spring Ginger Ale ad.

This is a Wyrick Spring bottle from Crockett, VA dated 1923 which would place it's creation during the Charles F. Hagan era.

Wyrick Mineral Spring Water label from around 1923.

A J. C. Layman Mint Cola bottle with "A Wyrick Spring Product" embossed on the back.

advertising cover from Wyrick Spring Company 1922.

Close up of the Wyrick Ginger Ale sticker on the letter

Wyrick Ginger Ale crate

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