Cottonwood, AL hotsprings?? (Dothan: relocating, real estate, rent)

[cfogg]

Hello!
I'm attempting to plan a trip into Alabama soon and would like to know if the Cottonwood hotsprings are open again. I know that a fire shut them down a few years ago but I figured they would rebuild. I can't find them on the web right now... Help!
One more thing... a friend likes to golf and his wife would love the hotsprings. Isn't there a hotel that has both on hwy 231 near Cottonwood?
Thanks for any info!
Crystal

[cobb wynn]

need info on cottonwood al I would like to visit the hot springs

[bekahdoo]

I am from the county in Florida that is right below Cottonwood, AL. Just a few months ago, my father and I went down that road looking for some real estate that was listed in that area and noticed that nothing has ever been done with the old hotel. The gates are all locked up and the burnt building is still very much abandoned.

[homey]

Just north on 231 on the left is the Country club, stayed their our first trip up to Dothan, they have a spring feed Hot Tub (big) .

Never heard of these Hot Springs, maybe worth seeking them out?

We will be relocating to Dothan by end of July.

[cwood3514]

This resort was established in 1927 by the late Bob Sealy while drilling for oil. The abundant flow of hot mineral waters was discovered instead of oil. He capitalized on the find and founded a site that would become world famous over the next 75 years.
Unfortunately, the structure burned to the ground on June 3, 2001. Due to the design and modifications made to the building over many years, the fire went undetected for several minutes allowing it to quickly spread through the attic to all portions of the building. No less than 5 local fire departments fought the blaze but only one conference room structure was left standing.
The piped mineral waters still flow into the pool, but the area has been secured for safety.
The current owners of the property have made no effort to repair, rebuild, or clean the site nor do they appear to be heading in those direction.

Referring to another nearby hot springs, it is on US Hwy 231 about 5 miles south of Dothan. The name changes frequently but there is hot mineral baths, messages, pools, a hotel with banquet and conference rooms, and a nice golf course.

removed

[homey]

Originally Posted by cwood3514

Referring to another nearby hot springs, it is on US Hwy 231 about 5 miles south of Dothan. The name changes frequently but there is hot mineral baths, messages, pools, a hotel with banquet and conference rooms, and a nice golf course.

As I stated before that is the Dothan Country Club, we stayed their on our first visit to Dothan, the large mineral pool bath was a welcome relief, very large pool, we wanted to enjoy the pool natures way but due to the security cameras didn't want to push our luck. But now we live up here and have our own hot tub and no security cameras.

But the place sounds interesting and will have to go explore the area and see if we can find it, a shame the place is going to waste if the spring is still flowing. Maybe building codes or lack of money have prevented them from redeveloping the area again but a shame that a good Hot Spring has to go to waste!

[homey]

Originally Posted by cwood3514

The current owners of the property have made no effort to repair, rebuild, or clean the site nor do they appear to be heading in those direction.

The wife and I took a drive to the Sealy Springs today, really did not have any time to investigate, but you are so right, it is a shame that this is just going to waste and that no one has picked up on it or the owners may just not want to rebuild, or it could be in a court dispute.

Too bad, bet it was a thriving place in it's hay day!

[cwood3514]

Since the fire there have been numerous inguiries about the possible rebuilding. The family that has owned the property for the last 10 years or so are based in Atlanta and are supposedly quite weatlhy ( a black family "corporation"). There latest reply to the question was something like, "We will rebuild, but we are waiting for guidance from the Lord". Oook.
So, money is not the problem. Buildiing codes do not exist in C'wood as you can plainly see. No court litigation is causing the delay to anyone's knowledge.
We, the fire dept., stayed on that scene from about 5 PM on that Sunday to 1 AM Monday morning trying to save something that no one apparently cares about.
Our website (removed ) has some pictures of the fire moments after we arrived. There was no chance of saving it. Eventually the site will have other historical information and pictures added.

[homey]

I find this to be truly interesting, I take it CWood you were one of the Fireman on scene at that time.

The day that we were out there, I failed to see anyone around to question, and like I had said we were a bit pressed for time or other wise I would have tried to dig up some info.

Maybe one day we can make a prearranged trip out to Cottonwood on her day off and meet up with you and learn more about this. It is really a shame that this place is just going to waste, and some one is waiting for GUIDANCE from above, a swift kick in the back side of the mid section should be guidance enough! A place like that could generate a lot of $$$ to the local area, I just never knew that their were any hot springs around here, just like the Fl Caverans we didn't know about either and did a visit, I know of a lot of people that will take a long hike to get to a Hot Springs just to take a soak and be with nature and then their are others that are waiting for guidance!!! Just too bad it just sits there and goes to waste, hope to hear from you and maybe we can meet up one day?

[drjimdick]

Having visited Cottonwood and the hot springs many times, I'm interested in any information available. Jim Dick