The Jefferson Pools, also called Warm Springs Bathhouses and Warm Springs Pools, are two spa structures near Warm Springs, Virginia. The name was changed in the 20th century from "Warm Spring Pools" to "Jefferson Pools". The spa is part of The Homestead, a resort hotel. The Gentlemen's Pool House, which is pictured above, is the oldest spa structure in the United States. The octagonal wood building was built in 1761. The spas are naturally fed by a 98 °F mineral spring. The men's spa holds 40,000 US gallons of constantly flowing water.
Thomas Jefferson arrived in 1818 at the age of 75, suffering from what he described as "rheumatism." He stayed for over three weeks, taking the waters several times each day, in the Gentlemen's Pool House. The Jefferson Pools are continuously fed by several natural mineral springs from deep beneath the earth. The superlative, crystal clear spring waters at the Jefferson Pools are rich in minerals, and are a constant 98 degrees at their source - perfect, natural body temperature. Taking the waters at the Jefferson Pools continues to be a favorite activity today, and it is just as relaxing and restorative as it was in 1761 when the Gentlemen's Pool House was built.
The buildings have changed little over the years, being made of wood with a central pool and a roof that is open to the elements. There are small alcoves around the pool are changing rooms, where you leave you clothes.
Look up at the roof and notice that at its peak is open. In fact, the roof only actually covers the changing rooms and the walkway around the pool. For the most part the roof over the pool is nothing but the rafters. At first this seemed odd but after some thought, it made perfect sense. Given the temperature of the water, it would probably never get very cold in the building, and without the open roof it would likely get unbearably hot in the summer. The gases coming up from the pool base might get a bit intense as well without the extra circulation. As for rain or snow, that wouldn't really matter since if you were in the pool you'd be wet already. Besides what could be more natural than looking up into a clear blue sky on a beautiful morning while soaking in a nice warm tub of bubbling water.
Notice the walkway around the pool with changing rooms off to the side. A visitor is greeted by the caretaker who will offer to show you around. In the Gentlemen's Spa, there is no mistaking the purpose of the place as the building was dominated by a large deep pool (6-7 feet) formed from natural rocks about 120 feet around in the center of the structure.
Other famous bathers include General and Mrs. Robert E. Lee and General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson. While General Lee's visits to the pools were probably an accommodation to his wife, who was an avid soaker (in the separate Ladies Pool House), Stonewall's visits to area hot springs were a regular aspect of his health care regime. Why was Stonewall so conscious about taking care of his health? He saw too many deaths of people close to him. On top of the death of his parents, he also lost his older sister and brother, his first wife and first baby daughter, plus his second child from his second wife. His only surviving blood relative was his younger sister Laura. Some might think him to be a hypochondriac, but understand why he pursued health improvement so vigorously. He had dyspepsia. His doctor prescribed exercise, diet and hydrotherapy for his cure. Judging from today's standard, if taking aerobic exercise, diet workshop and Jacuzzi bath are considered normal behavior, it would be just as normal then, for Jackson to take solitary walk, to eat the food he brought with him when invited to a dinner, and to seek hot spring water-therapy. He was not odd. He was just taking care of his health. He was only ahead of his time.
The water is very clear, and after a closer inspection you will notice lots of bubbles rising from the stones that form the bottom of the pool. You can hear the relaxing sounds of bubbles breaking the surface.
One doorway looks like a changing room (the dark opening without a curtain, just to the left of the post), but the caretaker will explain that down below is a place where you can enjoy a super charged natural jacuzzi jet. It is a small whole in the wall of the main pool and is activated by the caretaker raising a board that allows the water to stream at you. Very invigorating! Also, this area, down below, is where the over flow from the main pool is channeled out of the building through the stream below.
