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The Healing Waters of Mineral Springs Sanatorium EarthCache

Hidden : 8/19/2009
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
5 out of 5

Size: Size:   not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


This is not your typical P&G EC, but rather your ATYPICAL "Paddle & Grab" EC on the scenic Cannon River, west of Miesville. Land to water (where GZ is located) access will require wading through shallow muck and then knne-deep water from the abandoned railroad rustic grass rail trail on the North Bank of the Cannon River. Thus, the 5 terrain rating. Refering to the topo map will show you the best access via your vehicle if you are unable to experience this cache via the river.

The listed coordinates will bring you to an interesting phenomenon on the Cannon River. Take a moment as you approach this area to listen to the sounds emanating from this site.

What you are hearing is the echo of the powerful flow of a mineral spring whose “healing properties” shaped the history of this region and affected the lives of many.


In 1904, the U.S government reported the mortality from tuberculosis was 200.7 per 100,000. The majority of the nation’s 600 tuberculosis hospitals and sanatoriums could accommodate fewer than 200 patients each, or less than 5 % of those afflicted.

In Minnesota alone, reported cases of tuberculosis rose from 1,471 in 1890 to 1,864 in 1900, and 2,270 in 1910. The disease was endemic and treatment protocols were extremely limited for the times. Antibiotics were not employed in the treatment of this disease until the 1930’s.

In 1903, the state Legislature authorized the establishment of the Minnesota Sanatorium for Consumptives Commission. This State Board approved and appointed screening sites, sanatorium sites, guidelines, facility equipment, on site x-ray equipment, physicians and staff, encompassing nearly every county across the state of Minnesota.

Goodhue County opened the Mineral Springs Sanatorium in November of 1915 with 34 available beds.

The National Directory of Sanatoriums published the following listing in 1916:

“CANNON FALLS , MINNESOTA

Mineral Springs Sanatorium — Goodhue County Sanatorium
(Nov. 2, 1915) : For all classes of cases; preference is given to advanced.
Capacity: — 28, Rates: — ^Free to indigents of county; $7 per week to
others. Patients from other counties pay $10 per week. Application should be made to the superintendent. “


The campaign against tuberculosis had its beginnings late in the nineteenth century chiefly in the last decade, and apart from employing mineral waters, these new health resorts very closely resembled the mineral spring hotels and “sanitariums” with which people were already familiar. These sanatoriums were usually located in an isolated area in the country, and depended chiefly upon the fresh air and a plentiful supply of nourishing food. In fact, fresh air and extra food, including milk and eggs, were considered essentials, and apart from an after-dinner rest-hour and early bed times, the patients were required to exercise vigorously in the clean air, while exposing themselves to as much sunshine as possible.

Partaking of the mineral waters for both bathing and drinking was an essential step in the healing process. Salts of silver and gold were also employed therapeutically.

People who were ailing had few medical options in the nineteenth century and many took holidays to seek restoration at mineral springs and mud baths. “Taking the waters” was thought to correct iron deficiency as well as other more serious ailments. With growing industrial pollution in large cities, people felt better with a treatment of cool mineral drinks followed by a sulfur mud bath. The forerunner of spas, Minnesota’s abundant mineral springs attracted health-seekers from around the country. Writer Henry David Thoreau, on doctor’s orders, came to the state specifically to help cure his tuberculosis in clean air and mineral springs.


The Geologic Formation of the Mineral Springs:

Numerous geologic processes operate either in isolation or together to produce the diversity of springs that occur. In most cases, no single process is responsible for the resultant landform, but a dominant force, such as chemical, thermal or structural can often be identified.

The most common chemical process in the formation of springs in this region is “karstification”, which results from the dissolution of carbonate rocks. Karst springs represent a natural exit for the groundwater to the surface through the hydrologically active fissures of the karst mass, and appear most commonly at the contact of the carbonate mass and an impermeable boundary. The concept of “the karst-hydrological contact” was first introduced in the 1930’s. The numerous point of seepage in the karst mass for the infiltration of precipitation and the relatively few karst springs were also noted.

With the increasing karst-hydrological activity, the catchment of individual springs reach deeper and the more active efficient ones are interconnected. In time, the smaller springs are gradually eliminated. If springs are fed from the zone of saturation, the discharge from the lower springs increases at the cost of the higher ones. The faster the outflow causes the karst water level to decline, and the flow from higher springs ceases.

One of the unique features of this spring is that it actually originates from an elevated confined aquifer. Hydrological and bedrock maps indicate the main body of the aquifer lies up the bluff, at an elevation of 850’, between the layer of the Oneota Dolomite and the Jordan Sandstone. The discharge site of the springs is at an elevation of 760’. The elevation and the confining layers of shale are the causes of the great discharge pressure.

Another interesting aspect of the karst-hydrological contact is that one stream entering the underground system frequently flows out at numerous spring outlets at considerable distances from each other.

** *(Please note the sudden change in water temperature as you disembark at Miesville Ravine…).

The Mineral Waters:

The chemical composition of mineral waters is determined by the composition of the rock it is abstracted from. Dependent on geochemical processes, similar types of rock may lead to different types of mineral water. Subsiding sedimentary basins are normally filled with fossil marine waters of varying composition. During the fossilization of these waters, the concentration of most component increases with respect to the original composition.

Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value. Salts, sulfur compounds and gases are among the substances that can be dissolved in the water. Mineral water can often be effervescent. Mineral water can be prepared or can be obtained from naturally occurring mineral springs.

Traditionally mineral waters would be used or consumed at their source, often referred to as “taking the waters” or “taking the cure”, and such sites were referred to as spas, baths or wells. Each type of water possessed a therapeutic use to treat a variety of maladies and afflictions.

The combination of the clean air and the therapeutic properties of these Healing Waters prompted the establishment of the Mineral Springs Sanatorium for the treatment of those afflicted with tuberculosis.


This EarthCache is may be accessed via two routes.

***The route of choice is via canoe or kayak while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Cannon River. Thus, the 5 terrain rating.

***This EarthCache may also be accessed by the abandoned railroad bed rustic trail on the NORTH bank of the Cannon River. This is a public access grass trail, and may be accessed through the housing development occupying the site of the old Mineral Springs Sanatorium or at the edge of town in Cannon Falls.

Terrain is rated at 2.5 until you get to the river’s edge, next to the remnants of the old sanatorium bathhouse, then wading through shallow water is required to access the EarthCache.
You will be walking through some very slimy muck to access this point. Wear appropriate footwear.


LOGGING REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS EARTHCACHE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Estimate the flow rate of the spring in gallons per minute.
2. Describe what is surrounding the spring itself.
3. Bring a bottle and take home a sample of the water from this spring and examine it for any sediment and inclusions. Then place it in a white container and note if there is any color associated with this water. Then smell the water and note if there is any odors from this sample.
4. Post a photo and e-mail the above answers.

***Please make sure you double baggie any electronics and fasten them securely to your watercraft.

***PLEASE NOTE THIS IS RATED AS A 5 TERRAIN EARTHCACHE AND REQUIRES YOU TO BE ON OR IN A SHALLOW RIVER. IF YOU ARE NOT “WATER-FRIENDLY”, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS CACHE. THE WATER LEVELS AND CURRENT SPEED OF THE CANNON RIVER WILL VARY WITH SEASON AND RAINFALL.

***APPROACHING THIS EARTHCACHE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. PRACTICE SAFETY FIRST!!!

*~* Digital re-mastery by EarthCache Master Lostby7 *~*

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