History of Mount Clemens

The City of Mt. Clemens known as “The Mineral City” and “The Bath City of America” became famous around the world.
 
In 1870 a flour mill proprietor, Dor Kellogg, had cured his severe case of eczema by bathing in the salty mineral waters of Mt. Clemens.  Dor became convinced that in this water was a remarkable remedial agent and began to bathe his friends and neighbors.  Results were truly wonderful.  A local physician, Dr. Abner Hayward, had started prescribing bathing for his patients suffering from rheumatism.  Interested in curative powers of the city’s mineral waters continued, and as a result Dr. Henry Taylor, another Mt. Clemens physician, built the first bath house so that the mineral-rich waters could be pumped from the wells into large tubs.

The first bath house in Mt. Clemens, called the ORIGINAL, was constructed in1873 and marked the beginning of the city’s fabulous bath era.  To accommodate those who came from afar for the baths, the Original’s owner built the Avery Hotel, thereby setting a pattern for the Bath Era.  Mt. Clemens became know as a leading spa and people came from across the country and from all over the world seeking benefit from the special mineral waters. By 1895 hotels and bath houses were a major business for the city.  The needs of the hotels and bath houses promoted other businesses and profoundly influenced the way of life in the area.  Summer months were the height of the bath season.  Those seeking relief came for three weeks. They took a mineral bath and its accompanying massage and rest daily.  This left a portion of the day for pleasurable recreation; riding or strolling about the city’s tree shaded streets, sipping sweet artesian well water at one of the attractive springs, enjoying horse races at the track on the edge of town, and seeing the theatricals at the Nelson Opera House.

Many famous people came to the elegant hotels from around the world.  The PARK became the social center of Mt. Clemens and was the scene of many famous parties and balls.  Known for its luxurious accommodations, the Park hosted many affluent and famous personalities including Henry Ford, George M. Cohen, Mae West, Booth Tarkington, William Randolph Hearst, Helena Rubenstein, Jerome Kern, William Jennings Bryan, Alice Roosevelt and Fannie Hearst.  At the peak of its popularity, Mt. Clemens featured 13 bath houses which included, The Baths House , the Media, Mineral Baths, Mt. Clemens Bath House, The Olympia, The Original, The Park, The Plaza, The Riverside and Saint Joseph Sanitarium.