Soap Lake, The Wonderful
In the pioneer days, when cattle punching and horse raising and sheep herding were the only means of subsistence for the inhabitants of Douglas County, Washington, the ranchers and cowboys…
From: Unknown To: 1908 C.E.
Location: Soap Lake, Washington, United States of America
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
“Soap Lake, The Wonderful” from The Coast, 1908.
In the pioneer days, when cattle punching and horse raising and sheep herding were the only means of subsistence for the inhabitants of Douglas County, Washington, the ranchers and cowboys first had their attention directed to what is now called “Soap Lake,” through tales carried and perpetuated by the Indians. The place was designated a sacred spot where if one had bathed in the peculiar looking waters marvelous cures and recoveries were experienced—how over a long, hot, dusty and desert trail the decrepit and lame would struggle to get a chance to plunge into the healing depths and come out healed.
Soap Lake was so named because of its powerful cleansing properties. The most serious skin diseases yield to bathing in its waters. An analysis of the water made by the chemist of the State College and School of Science at Pullman, Washington, showed the following parts per thousand:
Total Solids, 28.26690; volatile solids, 0.652503; non-volatile solids, 27.64186; silica, 0.1286; albumina and iron oxide, trace; calcium sulphate, trace; calcium carbonate, trace; magnesium sulphate, 0.39089; sodium sulphate, 6.34872; sodium chloride, 2.81384; sodium carbonate; 11.08901; lithium sulphate, trace; potassium carbonate, 0.51177; phosphorous pentoxide, 0.12018; carbon dioxide (semi combined), 1.37034; free ammonia, 0.34000; albuminoide ammonia, 1.10600; specific gravity, 1.02600.
This water in its uses has already been demonstrated to be efficacious especially for the cure of catarrh, rheumatism, stomach troubles and all kinds of skin diseases.
The first effort to make any extensive, intelligent and systematic use of the waters of Soap lake was made by the Siloam Enterprise Co. and in May, 1908, Col. G. G. Darrow, J. S. Johnston and associates, of Seattle, purchased the plant and 400 acres of land—improving and enlarging the hotel to accommodate 100 guests. The structure was built upon the banks of the lake and is equipped with all kinds of baths, convenient and comfortable and with a resident physician and surgeon to direct the course of treatment.
Thousands have in that short time visited and tried these waters and gone away cured—in all cases greatly benefited.
Camping out on the shores of Soap Lake. Photo by S. G. Shaw, “Quincy Quill.”
Long before the building of the Siloam Sanitarium, every summer the banks of the lake have been lined for the entire season with campers in tents and wagons getting in a crude and largely unsatisfactory manner, relief from their pains and sores. These can now be seen but not so numerous, as the modern facilities and convenient hotel accommodations have made a better way possible.
At Soap Lake a postoffice has been established called “Soap Lake” and where the Siloam Sanitarium is built a growing settlement is springing into existence with stores and other places of business. The hotel here is not now able to accommodate all the people who come for treatment, although it has over 100 rooms and has a dining room with a capacity of seating over 100 people at one time. A number of private places are here located, which are thrown open for the entertainment of strangers when the Sanitarium is filled. A large addition to add 100 more rooms is now under headway, which it is expected will be ready for use in 1909.
The waters of Soap Lake are in use throughout the year, and facilities are open for all who desire to come and take baths.
Soap Lake is reached over the Great Northern railroad from Seattle, or Spokane, getting off at Ephrata and seven miles by stage. Tickets can be bought through to Soap Lake, and a stage, the Soap Lake Stage Line, J. M. Pierce, proprietor, honors these tickets and provides ample and comfortable transportation from Ephrata to the Sanitarium.
Boating on Soap Lake. Photo by S. G. Shaw, “Quincy Quill.”
The possibilities and future of Soap Lake and its enterprises are already assured. It is only a question of working out plans now under headway for accommodating the people seeking the baths and treatments here possible. Tennis and croquet grounds are maintained; billiards, pool and other games are now kept; adequate boating privileges are enjoyed.
Climatically there is no better place in this part of the Northwest. Throughout the hottest summer months the nights are always cool and blankets are comfortable at nights.
Not only are the waters of Soap Lake efficacious for external use, and for the manufacture of lotions, soaps, etc., but they have medicinal qualities which are fast becoming recognized and used as they are become known.
Soap Lake is not a pleasure resort, although many do visit it for recreation and sport. The use of the waters have a general invigorating and restorative power. Especially exhilarating are the baths taken under no direction save the wishes of the bather. Here is one of Nature’s own remedies, which the feeblest hand can and the smallest purse can purchase. Here there is hope for all who have not lost faith. Here at Soap Lake, Douglas County, Washington.
Honor L. Wilhelm. "Soap Lake, The Wonderful." The Coast. September 1908.
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