The Ark
Serving the Best Catfish, Seafood & Steaks for more than 79 years! LOCAL TRADITION • NATIONAL REPUTATION Featured in Garden & Gun Magazine and other national publications as some of the best catfish in the country.
HIGHWAY 78 EAST RIVERSIDE (205) 338-7420
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ANNETTE MANNING HALL Circuit Court St. Clair County
Pavilion at St. Clair Springs one of the finest of its day, providing every amenity a resort guest could desire. In addition, there were several private cottages around the spring basin. A large pavilion sported an upstairs dance floor where Saturday night dances were held with music by local bands. These dances and other resort functions were frequented by area residents, particularly from nearby Leeds. Guests could relax on a very long veranda, or mingle in an opulent main lobby and dining room capable of feeding 200 people in style. Mrs. Crow adds that this dining room served fresh vegetables, milk and butter from the resort’s own garden, and the seating was actually inadequate for the number of guests during peak seasons. The view of Bald Rock Mountain was said to be breathtaking, and the hotel offered walking excursions to its crest. Eventually Cooke added a swimming pool, tennis courts, a bowling alley and skating rink. Their newspaper ads read: “Five Important If’s” If it’s health ... If it’s pleasure ... If it’s a delightful climate ... If it’s to avoid mosquitoes ... If it’s to get away from work and worry and take a real vacation, build up your system and be assured of perfect health during the winter. ... Then come to Cooks Springs and get all these at nominal cost” Its “salubrious” waters consisted of sulfur, magnesia, chalybeate, alkaline, and Blue Ridge lithia freestone. Among these mineral waters supposedly lay the cure for a bewildering host of human ailments and personal concerns, with no end to the resort’s claims of successful treatments. A little settlement grew up around Cooks Springs, including a church camp just down the road. As the resort
1815 Cogswell Avenue, Suite 217 Pell City, AL 35125 205-338-2511 Fax: 205-884-4224 100 6th Ave. Suite 400 Ashville, AL 35953 205-594-2184 Fax: 205-594-2196 email: annette.hall@alacourt.gov
NEED MORE SPACE? Try THE ADDITION for your storage needs.
✓ Short term rentals welcome ✓ Discounts available for multiple rentals ✓ Share a larger unit and save ✓ Easy access US 231, Pell City ✓ Gated and Well Lit ✓ Safe Environment ✓ Sizes 5 x 5, 5 x 10, 10 x 20, 10 x 30 OFFICE
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LAKE SUPPLIES
OUR FRIENDLY STAFF IS EAGER TO ACCOMMODATE YOU. Contact Fields Gossett, The Addition’s property managers, today at 205-884-2300. Trusted name, quality service. THE ADDITION, US 231 South and Airport Road, Pell City.
December 2011 - January 2012 | DISCOVER The Essence of St. Clair • 35