A Mysterious Woodland Trail In Missouri Will Take You To The Welch Spring Hospital Ruins
Hiking’s all about discovery, isn’t it? Whether we follow a little-known path or happen upon a secret waterfall, we often discover something new on our adventures. Next time you’re craving a bit of time outdoors, set off on the Welch Spring Trail in Missouri. The path boasts a ton of natural beauty and leads to the ruins of a former hospital.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
You'll definitely want to bring your camera along when you hike the one-mile Welch Spring Trail, an out-and-back path in Jadwin that sits next to the Current River.
The highlight of the trail is, arguably, the ruins of the former hospital that dates back to 1913. A doctor purchased the spring back in the early 1900s with the belief that it had healing powers, especially for asthmatics.
He funded the building of a hospital that would treat those with asthma, tuberculosis, and other breathing issues. Today, the hospital would be considered more of a medical spa.
You can view the hospital from across the Current River. However, if you want to see it up close, you must cross a natural bridge. Appropriate shoes or boots are a must.
You can also take a canoe or a boat along the Current River to the hospital, which closed back in the 1940s and has sat abandoned and in decay ever since.
Do you have a favorite trail in Missouri that leads to old ruins? Tell us about it in the comments! If you’re a fan of historic ruins, hike the Castle Trail at Ha Ha Tonka State Park.
Address: Welch Spring, Newton Township, MO 65501, USA
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