Bath County: Finding the Homestead
Outside of the immediate area, Virginia is often thought of synonymously with Washington, DC or, during the summertime, as having some excellent beaches on the Atlantic. But in the west-central part of the state is a unique place that takes guests into a time past. Bath County is one of relatively few on the east coast that has never been widely settled. Bath is a county without a single incorporated city or town nor a single traffic light. There are no scars of heavy industry nor has the population of this county ever topped 10,000. What Bath County does have is stunning natural beauty and phenomena, which has fueled it’s economy.
The Homestead Resort, a National Historical Landmark
The most notable landmark of Bath County is the Homestead Resort. The Homestead pre-dates the founding of the United States and in the hey-day of America’s “Grand Resorts,” few could compete with the service and the grandeur of this summer hideaway. The presence of natural springs, perceived to be of great medicinal benefits, and the altitude made Bath County the ideal location for the resort, despite the challenges of transportation once posed by the Allegheny Mountains. And unlike some of the other mineral springs resorts still in existence, visitors are still able to take a seat next to and slip their feet into the hot springs.
Seats to slip your feet into springs at the Homestead
Many of the “Grand Resorts” have been victims of the times, whether through improved transportation, changing tastes in how to spend vacation time, or failure to invest in the resort to strike the right balance between modern tastes and classical elegance, yet the Homestead nobly rests in the village of Hot Springs, solidering these changes. Approaching Hot Springs from the north on U.S. Route 220, you round a curve less than a half mile from town, and are greeted by the immense structure of the main resort building.
Touring the inside of the resort, it is unclear what the future holds for the resort. It is a unique combination of classic elegance from the turn of the 20th century as well as mid-century ideas of what turn of the 20th century décor looked like (think Dorothy Draper/Modern Baroque). While the overwhelming feeling from the resort was one of absolute grandeur, the times have been taking a toll on the resort for the reasons stated. If I may make a personal appeal, if you have the opportunity to visit Hot Springs, do stop at the Homestead. Explore the resort and if you see fit, spend some money there. Living, breathing National Historical Landmarks are harder and harder to find and are worth supporting, even if it’s just a cup of hot cocoa or a keychain.
Ballroom in the Garden Wing of the Homestead
It is clear the effect this area has on it’s natives. Only a few miles south of Hot Springs is Ashwood, home of legendary golfer Sam Snead. Despite traveling extensively as a professional golfer, all roads always led back to the Allegheny Mountains. If he was not in the Hot Springs area, he was a mere 50 miles away working as the golf pro at the Greenbrier Resort. His love of the region is not unique to him though, many people find themselves returning to the region year after year to refuel their spirits in the unrivaled natural beauty and solitude.