KY Historical Society To Dedicate Historical Marker In Chalybeate This Saturday

photo of a 1930's postcard from Chalybeate Springs Hotel

Edmonson Voice Staff Report​
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will dedicate a new historical marker in Chalybeate Springs on Saturday, June 11, at 10 a.m. CDT at the intersection of KY HWY 101 and KY S HWY 3611.
 
The marker will commemorate both Chameleon and Chalybeate Springs. 

Chalybeate Springs is located at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Reggie Jaggers*. Doc and Sarah Gray owned the home and property until the last few years when they sold to Mr. Jaggers.

Chameleon Springs was located at the bottom of Sulfur Hollow and was home to the first hotel and resort in the area in 1804. The spring got it's name from the five different types of minerals in the water, each with a different tint, giving the appearance of color changing waters. The property is now owned by Bruce Denham of Chalybeate.

​The text on the marker will read:
  
CHAMELEON SPRINGS
 Pioneer “long hunters” often camped
at mineral springs located nearby.
In 1804, their campsite became the
location of Chameleon Springs Hotel.
A summer resort with five different
mineral waters and many activities,
it operated until the early 1930s.
An 1825 meeting at Bryan’s Tavern
at Chameleon Springs formally
established Edmonson County.
 
CHALYBEATE SPRINGS
 Discovered by Dr. William Ford in
the early 1800s, the springs were
famous for their supposed healing
powers. The Chalybeate Springs
Hotel provided dancing, dining,
horse racing, golf, tennis, and
fox hunting. Andrew Jackson is
said to have visited often after
his presidency. A popular resort
for more than 100 years, it closed
during World War II.

*An earlier version of this report had incorrectly named one of the property owners. the story has been updated with the correct name. We apologize for the error.