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Kemper SpringsSubmitted by Gene Allred Kemper Springs Community is about 18 miles southeast of Dekalb and about nine miles northwest of Lauderdale. It is a valley of rich, sandy loam soil along Big Reed Creek and its tributaries. There are many springs of water throughout the valley. The community was settled by the Indians centuries before the white settler came there in the early1840's. "In 1838, E.C. Mosby, with Elias Moore, Nelse Moore and ____ Odom, set out from Gainesville, Alabama, to cut a road to DeKalb. E.C. Mosby built his home on this road, which later became a stage route." There were many springs, some estimate as many as 120, on the land settled by Mr. Mosby. He had the water analyzed from 21 of these springs, and they all had various and different minerals, some of which were supposed to have curative powers. Word quickly spread that the many mineral springs at Kemper Springs had healing powers, and people wanted to come there to restore their health. Mr. Mosby saw an opportunity to build this into a health, and summer pleasure resort. He built a hotel with spacious rooms, large dining room and dance hall. Many people came from all directions. There was a stage line from Jackson to Herbert Springs, some twenty miles west, where the line separated to run a south branch by old Daleville, Lauderdale Springs, Livingston, Alabama; and the north branch through DeKalb, Old Narkeetah, Ramsey Station and on to Gainesville, Alabama. A Mr. Clay also operated a stage line from Philadelphia, Dekalb, by old Daleville, Kemper Springs, Tamola, Paynesville and Livingston, Alabama. Mr. Mosby operated a livery stable and provided transportation to and from Lauderdale Springs. By 1844 the resort was in full operation. The hotel was also known for its fine cuisine. Legends about this well-known resort state "there were times when as many as 500 chickens were served to the guests in a day. "Jeff Davis, Aaron Burr and Col. McClury were among the many guests at this resort." This community continued to grow and prosper. In 1848 Kemper Springs Baptist Church was organized; on June 21,1852 the post office was established, with Samuel Batchelder, Jr. appointed postmaster,. It isn't known when the boarding school was established, but in 1853 it had a sizeable enrollment. By 1860 Kemper Springs, like many other communities in Kemper County, had been firmly established and the pioneers had begun to prosper and enjoy the fruits of their labors, but the Civil War started and every able bodied man volunteered for service in the Confederate Army and the resort was closed, it never reopened. In 1905 the post office was closed, today nothing remains but a house here and there. Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Jackson, Mississippi. WPA County History Projects.
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