The history of Excelsior Springs Excelsior Springs owes its existance to a natural spring that for ages gushed forth from remote depths of the earth at the edge of a pretty river near the western border of what is now Fishing River Township, Clay County, Missouri. The white man was slow in appreciation of the rocky hills, deep caverns and rugged vastness here; the land was practically valueless -- not worth the clearing of stones and gnarled growth; it was so much better far away. Yet a few "squatters" built cabins, prepared small patches for cultivation, bore and brought up children. Here and there a substantial land and timber owner gave permanence to the domain, up to the unfolding of this story -- the days of 1880. In the beginning ... Excelsior Springs owes its existance to a natural spring that for ages gushed forth from remote depths of the earth at the edge of a pretty river near the western border of what is now Fishing River Township, Clay County, Missouri. Click here for more. The famous waters ... The rarity of having 20 separate mineral springs bubbling out four distinct varieties of water has given Excelsior Springs the rightful claim of having the world's greatest group of mineral waters. Click here for more. The Hall of Waters & Cultural Museum A million dollars was made available for the construction of the Hall of Waters, purchase of the mineral water rights, and piping of the waters to the bottling facilities within. Click here for more. The Elms Resort Hotel The Elms Hotel is the third Elms Hotel, built in 1912. The present Elms Hotel was built by the Elms Realty Company and designed by the prominent Kansas City architects, Jackson and McIlvain. Click here for more. Historical Museum Standing on what was originally the Excelsior Hotel grounds (Excelsior Springs first hotel), the bank was constructed of Bedford stone and was known as one of the most artistic bank buildings in Missouri. Click here for more. Excelsior Springs Landmarks Excelsior Springs landmarks listed on the local, county and national historic registers. Click here for listing. Historic Golf Course Tom Bendelow, the noted course architect of Chicago, had his expert hand in the shaping of the Excelsior Springs course along with Alex Ross, its Scottish golf professional. Click here for more. The Inn on Crescent Lake Crescent Lake Manor, so named because of the crescent-shaped lakes (ponds that surround the mansion), was the stylish home for two decades of Dr. Aretas S. McCleary and family. Dr. McCleary was founder of the McCleary Sanatorium and Clinic in downtown Excelsior Springs. Click here for more. 125th Anniversary Celebration This year has been proclaimed the 125th Anniversary of Excelsior Springs - the Valley of Vitality. It is important to celebrate the history of our community. Click here to learn about celebration activities. Additional Excelsior Springs history websites: The pre-history of Fishing River The Excelsior Springs Museum The Idle Hour Return to top