Byron Hot Springs

 hotel, place with historical importance

The springs have been used by both human and animal alike as a water and salt source. It was possible to find evidence of inhabitation by the Bolbones tribe up into the early 20th century. European settlers long viewed the springs as a valuable source for salt to preserve their meats; it was depicted on maps of the area as "salt pans". It was not until the late 19th century that improvements were made to the area to serve the increasing number of settlers travelling through the area.
During the '20s, it was a destination for the rich and famous such as Frank "Lefty" O'Doul, Clark Gable, and Fatty Arbuckle. Patronage started to decline and the resort eventually closed in 1938. It was purchased by the government in 1941, and the compound -- now known as Camp Tracy -- was used as a German and Japanese POW camp. The Americans learned from the British that providing good accomodations, food, and recreation loosened tongues more than withholding them. After the war was over, the site was used as a Greek Orthodox church (Monastery St. Paul) until 1956, when it was again sold. Although the property has been through a succession of owners, none so far have returned the springs to its former resort glory despite many proposals to do so.

The property is currently being used to mine construction grade sand.

www.byronhotsprings.com/home.html
www.lostamerica.com/images/byron/hot.springs.html
www.militarymuseum.org/ByronHotSprings.html