Stressed out by todays' health pandemic, economic uncertainty, political rancor and social unrest? Perhaps you have high blood pressure, rheumatism, neuralgia, chronic digestive disease (from eating at home?), nervous diseases and their allied disorders? Then make a visit to the Kloebler Health Resort for treatment of what ails you.
Postcard image courtesy University of Washington Libraries, 1998.10.21, circa 1910
Apparently everyday life in the early 1900's had it's own share of anxiety and stress - and demand for treatment if you could afford it. The Kloeber Health Resort at Green River Hot Springs met a need. Located in the Green River Valley just west of Lester where the Green River and Champion Creek meet, the town was first settled as Kendon in 1886, so named by the Northern Pacific Railroad. With development of the resort shown above by J.S. Kloeber, MD in 1903, the town became renamed as Hot Springs and by 1907 - 1908, the town had a population of 225 with two physicians.
According to the brochure, the resort offered treatment for a wide variety of ailments, achieving a 95% success rate. Room rates ranged from $5 to $10 per week and meals were served at "affordable prices". An orchestra played during meals, visitors enjoyed beautiful suites and had full access to the resort's bowling alleys, shooting gallery, billiards and card rooms - and were cured. Want a massage? You got it. Hmmm! I'm going to have to talk to Multi-Care. The resort's lifeline and only access was the railroad with three scheduled trains visiting each day. They even provided special tokens for train goers making the trip.
Unfortunately, good times didn't last and the resort burned down in a fire. By 1918, the town had virtually disappeared and postal service was ended.
From what I'm told, there remain no more signs of the old resort and hot springs. This being in the City of Tacoma watershed, all signs of the past have been removed and/or buried, including the hot springs. Too many curiosity visitors no doubt.