On June 1, Ottine Mineral Springs in Gonzales will formally reopen to the general public, unveiling a large renovation to the historic web site about an hour and 24 minutes from San Antonio. Till lately, this 40-acre property was house to only two personal mineral-fed swimming pools, however now this sprawling land is dotted with 5 new swimming pools of various adjustable temperatures, outside eating choices, saunas, chilly plunges, cabanas, hearth pits, and rather more.
The dimensions of Ottine Mineral Springs’ glow-up is tough to grasp, so CultureMap made a little bit day journey out to the property to expertise every little thing it has to supply and get a tour of the brand new additions.
The HistoryThe drive right down to Ottine Mineral Springs is just not a troublesome one. As soon as we arrived, we had been greeted by normal supervisor DeDe DeStefano. DeStefano identified the historic buildings close to the doorway of the oak-lined property — white and worn-looking Missionary-style buildings with purple roofs. Centered amongst them is a large effectively of water, the underside lined with stones.
This effectively, found in 1909, is the supply for Ottine Mineral Springs’ many swimming pools. Picture by David Brendan Corridor
DeStefano defined that that is the unique effectively, the place all the property’s mineral springs and water comes from.
It began in 1909 when a bunch was drilling for oil. At about 1,550 toes down they struck not oil, however the large Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer.
“[This water] is tremendous wealthy in minerals due to the layers of earth that it passes because the water comes up, and it has been popping out of the bottom at 200,000 gallons a day since 1909, simply by itself, no pumps or something,” says DeStefano.
In 1939 throughout the polio epidemic, locals made the blissful discovery that the water from this effectively was significantly buoyant because of its ranges of minerals like salt, magnesium, and sodium bicarbonate, in order that they opened up a bodily remedy hospital onsite to assist polio sufferers with mobility points.
The buildings dotting the property are these unique buildings from the Thirties. Lots of them nonetheless stand within the unique model, however most have been renovated and up to date. Even with the renovations, although, the property’s present proprietor (who bought the land in 2017 and whose identification stays undisclosed for privateness) insists on sustaining the hospital’s unique goal.
“He calls us stewards of the property, the water, and everybody who got here earlier than us,” DeStefano says.
The Non-public Soaking AreaIn 2017, two small mineral spring swimming pools had been opened in a courtyard space exterior of one of many outdated buildings. The constructing itself was renovated to accommodate a spa and therapeutic massage space, and immediately, these two small swimming pools are surrounded by hammocks, a chilly plunge, a sauna, a spa, two hearth pits, locations to eat and drink, showers, lockers, and extra. The entire space is enclosed by a privateness fence.
That is the place we spent the vast majority of our day, soaking within the heat swimming pools within the morning. Because the day bought hotter, we chilled within the shaded hammocks and bought massages from therapeutic massage therapist Corey.
A go to to Ottine Mineral Springs in Gonzales.
Picture by David Brendan Corridor
Now that renovations are carried out and a totally new public space can be revealed on June 1, this smaller, enclosed space can be obtainable for personal bookings solely. The spa will stay open to the general public.
The one exception to this rule can be Ottine Springs’ month-to-month full moon occasions, which is able to happen on this space and be open to the general public. These occasions embrace yoga, sound remedy, soaking within the swimming pools, hearth pits, and meals and drinks.
“Individuals love these occasions,” says DeStefano. “Now we have ready lists for these.”
The New PartsJust up a small hill from the personal soaking space is the utterly renovated and extremely spectacular new a part of Ottine Mineral Springs. The buildings are all unique from the hospital, however you actually would not realize it by them. They have been painted and transformed, and now have a contemporary look to them.
All the property’s buildings are unique, however renovated and transformed. Picture by David Brendan Corridor
The true stunners, although, are the 5 new mineral water swimming pools, all named after native Texas timber: The Cyprus Pool, Sage, Palmetto, and two Ivy swimming pools (a cold and warm plunge). You may additionally see these timber, together with towering and historic oaks, everywhere in the property.
“The proprietor insisted every little thing be constructed across the timber,” DeStefano says.
The swimming pools themselves fluctuate in measurement, options, and temperature. A few of them have waterfalls, and a few have hidden grottos which you can sneak off to and sit in. All of them are chock-full of the therapeutic mineral waters of the aquifer, and might all be adjusted in temperature.
Ottine Mineral Springs’ swimming pools could be adjusted in temperature to be loved year-round. Picture by David Brendan Corridor
“Individuals consider these as heat mineral springs, they usually at all times have been traditionally,” says DeStefano. “However we now have the flexibility to make these seasonal swimming pools, so we’ll be capable to manipulate the temperature with out doing something to the mineral content material.”
Other than these swimming pools, the newly-opened space includes a restaurant serving up scrumptious meals choices like freshly-made wood-fired pizzas, salads, bowls, charcuterie boards, and frozen, refreshing drinks.
Ottine Mineral Springs will supply poolside bites and meals like recent wood-fired pizzas, salads, bowls, and extra.Picture by David Brendan Corridor
As DeStefano describes it, that is nonetheless very a lot a piece in progress. (That is supported by the bulldozers and frenzy of development happening round us throughout our go to.) The following phases of Ottine Mineral Springs’ evolution will see it flip right into a full-on well being resort. It’s going to open up a lodge together with casitas and cabins nestled among the many woods.
It’s going to additionally ultimately supply providers like hydrotherapy, saltwater floating swimming pools, snow caves, and one thing referred to as “expertise showers.” They will add hike and bike trails all through the woods, guided forest bathing, and even walk-and-talks alongside the paths with a therapist.
“Individuals are dying to get away from the stress of day by day life,” says DeStefano. “And this place is only a technique to chill and let go of a few of that stress.”
Ottine Mineral Springs is situated at 2033 FM 1586 in Gonzales. Day passes are $65 on weekdays and $75 on weekends. The smaller, personal swimming pools could be reserved on-line.
