I worked a variety of seasons as a housekeeper, waitress, and cook's helper in the mid to late '50's under then owner Cameron A. Sharpe. The gravel road in from Index was 13.7 mi.

There were four mineral springs. They all lay parallel to the main road and just to the left of the entrance. No. 1 and largest was orange-olive green in color and had a strong sulfurous/multi-mineral odor and salty-mineral taste. It was piped under the entrance road into the LARGE swimming pools (small one closest to coffee shop windows was about 3 feet deep and for kids. The big one was graduated. Spring #2 was very similar to #1 and the one visitors sampled. No. 3 was soda water, and #4 was carbonated, had been reclaimed, was wood-lined and we used a dipper for the makings of carbonated beverages or floats for the coffee shop.

On summer time-offs we picked wild huckleberries, made pies, and sold as a favorite in the shop. We accommodated drop-ins and overnight guests for various stays. Only the second floor bedrooms had sinks in the rooms; one had a large claw-footed bathtub for guests demanding a mineral water soak.

The electricity generated by the fast-descending small stream across the main road before reaching the entrance was DC, required converters, and was only available until 10 p.m. Electric appliances were small, like irons for clothes. All linens were transported out for laundering. —Polly

Reposted from NWHikers.net

Reverend Cameron Sharpe, attended seminary at Simpson Bible Institute in Seattle, Washington and in 1950s, he was serving as minister of the Community Church in Dever-Conner, Oregon. Cameron loved the outdoors, working with animals, and wanted to spend his life in service of the Lord. Laura Mae Mooney Cameron's sister-in-law was recently widowed from her husband Capt. Ray Mooney who had at times, expressed an interest in working with a Christian camp or conference center. After Captain Mooney's death, Laura Mae and her children, Ray John, and Barbara, settled in Albany Oregon, close to her sister Medora, and brother-in-law, Rev. The three shared a similar vision to serve the Lord operating a Christian camp.

In 1953, such an opportunity presented itself when Garland Mineral Springs became available. The Mooney's and Sharpe's pooled resources and purchased the Garland site on March 2, 1953 for $50,000 from Ralph and Ruth E. Taylor. The purpose and vision was to provide a resort and conference area where family-friendly Christian culture shaped activities. One month later in April 1953, Cameron and Medora moved their young family to Garland.

Cameron was both a minister and a skilled tradesman. Much of his working life was spent as a welder, a craft that reflected his practical nature and steady work ethic. As a young married man, he worked in the shipyards in Bremerton, Washington, and later worked on the Alaska Pipeline. He was the kind of man who could fix almost anything and often served the Lord simply by using his mechanical skills to help others.

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The following hand-written note was found in my grandfather Cameron Sharpe's files:

The week following Easter Sunday 1953 we were moved by Aden Chambers of Dever-Conner from the Church’s rented parsonage to Garland Mineral Springs, 13 miles up the North Fork Skykomish River above Index, Washington.

Cameron & Medora with their 2 children, Janis (7), Jonathan (3) made the trip in their ’48 Pontiac Chief Sedan. Cameron Jr. (15) was left with his Aunt LauraMae Mooney in Albany to finish the school year at Salem Academy. Curtis (13) was left with the MervinCase family at Dever to finish the 8th grade at Jefferson grade school.

Upon arriving at Garland Springs, furniture was unloaded into the Lodge, with some in Cabin 1.

As the Lodge needed cleaning and all wiring checked, the family made Cabin 1 headquarters for the first month.

After becoming acquainted with the care of the water-power electric generator, the water supply, heating system for the Lodge, the family was ready to move into the Lodge and get ready for a Memorial Day opening.

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Garland Mineral Springs

RIGHT IN THE HEART OF THE CASCADES

A Delightful Health Building

VACATION SPOT

IN THE CENTER OF NATURES WONDERLAND

with

ALL THE FACILITIES FOR A REAL MOUNTAIN VACATION

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Things To Do

• SWIMMING POOL—105x40 ft., sand beach, warm, mineral water.
• FISHING—Steelhead in the beautiful Skykomish River.
• BADMINTON COURT.
• HORSESHOE COURTS.
• CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA—Sand box, swings.
• TRAILS—For hiking or paths for strolling.
• BIBLE STUDY—Children’s story time.
• SUNDAY AFTERNOON—Evangelistic services.
• CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP—Singtime, firesides.

Accommodations

• LODGE—22 room hotel, steam heat, good beds.
• DINING ROOM—Good dinners, reasonable prices.
• STORE—Fountain service, sandwiches, coffee, groceries, film, etc.
• CABINS—20 cabins. Bedding, cooking utensils, dishes furnished on request.

Additional Notes / Rules

• HEALTHFUL MINERAL WATER—For drinking.
• SUNDAY afternoon services at 3:00 o’clock.
• Store opened on Sundays only at meal times.
• NO LIQUOR PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS.

Description and History

Tucked away among the rugged peaks of the Cascade Mountains, where the tumbling rumbling North Fork of the Skykomish River hurries by, is a quiet, comfortable and friendly resort known as Garland Mineral Springs. For many years these warm springs have caused folks to gather to drink their mineral waters and enjoy relaxing baths. Before the white man claimed this territory for himself, the Indians used to gather here for the healthful waters.

Tall, dark trees, clear mountain streams, beautiful long falls of water, wild yellow violets, roses, trillium form a verdant setting for the graceful deer, the shaggy mountain goat and the brown bear. The friendly little chipmunks, the shy rabbits, the noisy robins and dainty humming birds are local residents.

The fourteen miles to the springs is a scenic drive of everchanging beauty. From the springs, inviting paths and challenging trails lure the hiker onward and upward. For the brave-hearted and sure-footed, pea green Lake Blanca and Columbia Glacier offer their particular rewards. All this God has provided for those who take time to come apart and rest awhile.

Because God has created all the earth and because He has providentially placed this Forty Acres in our hands, we have dedicated it to His use and purposes. My sister-in-law, Laura Mae Mooney, my wife Medora and I earnestly desire that those who visit with us here will find rest, health and a personal knowledge of our Lord.

—Cameron Sharpe

The Sharpe and Mooney families purchased the Garland Mineral Springs property on March 2, 1953.

Prior owners of the Garland site include:

1. 1951-1952 - Ralph & Ruth E. Taylor, Wenatchee Wash. - Ralph was listed as the owner of Garland Mineral Springs in Washington State mining/mineral-operation directories mailing address — Box 1135, Wenatchee, Washington. Taylor's operation was described “in current production” under the product category of mineral water. The DNR mining-operation directories treated Garland not just as a resort, but as a mineral-water production operation. It suggests Ralph Taylor was not merely holding land; he was recognized by the state as operating Garland’s mineral water resource commercially or semi-commercially in the early 1950s.
2. 1943-1950 - C. Guy / Cecil Guy Evans, Index, Wash. - Evans was specifically the named operating contact during WWII when Garland was used as a Coast Guard training camp. Cecile Evans Lindquist’s obituary says she was the daughter of Cecil Guy Evans and Anne Marie Coles Evans and “spent her early years at the family’s resort, Garland Mineral Springs.” There is also a very interesting federal record: S. Rept. 78-616, “C. Guy Evans, Garland Mineral Springs, Index, Wash.” dated December 17, 1943. It relates to a private relief bill, S. 1589, for C. Guy Evans specifically “for relief of C. Guy Evans, Garland Mineral Springs, Index, Washington.” This may relate to a damage/loss/payment claim connected with military use of the reso
3. 1926-1942 - A. H. “Bert” Garland, Wenatchee - Garland expanded the property into the full spa-resort with a 22 room lodge, 25 cabins, a heated pool, and related facilities, prospering through the Depression.
   1. 1935 and 1937 Catholic Northwest Progress ads for Garland Mineral Springs advertised mineral water cures, doctor in attendance. Garland water is promoted as beneficial for diabetes, arthritis, and other ailments.
      1. 1935 Mrs. J. M. Lippert Manager
      2. 1937 W. L. Kaupp Manager
      3. 1937 Ted Dash Masseur
   2. There is an A. M. “Bert” Garland, of Wenatchee who may be the same as A. H. “Bert” Garland of Wenatchee
      1. A. M. “Bert” Garland owned The Garland Building at 111 Orondo Avenue in Wenatchee. Built in 1922 it housed the Orondo Recreation Club with a billiard room in the basement, a card room, tobacco shop, and lunch counter on the main floor, and apartments/sleeping rooms upstairs.
      2. Bert Garland and Al Roth purchased Miller’s bottling works in Wenatchee. Miller’s bottling works bottled Olympia Beer and later soft drinks.
      3. Local lore has long suggested that Garland Mineral Springs may have had a more colorful Prohibition-era chapter. At least one person on NWHikers.net recounted the story of having pre-1950s Garland memorabilia that included a slot machine.
4. 1896-1925 Dr. J. N. Starr, Snohomish, Wash - Starr Hot Springs. His wife Carrie Starr Weismann’s 1928 account says Dr. Starr located the springs in March 1889, built cabins, later secured title, and that the grant was signed by President Grover Cleveland in May 1896.