Crazy Water Company

Mineral Wells is at the junction of U.S. highways 180 and 281 and on the Weatherford, Mineral Wells and Northwestern Railway in east central Palo Pinto County. The site was settled in 1877 by J. A. Lynch, who laid out the town in 1881. In 1882 a stage line operated between Mineral Wells and Millsap, the terminus of the Texas and Pacific Railway. The local wellwater became famous for its medicinal qualities after Lynch dug the first well and cured his rheumatism with the foul-tasting water. The town boomed as a health resort after 1885, when the Crazy Well was dug. Crazy Water, said to be a sure cure for numerous disorders including hysteria and other mental problems, was bottled and shipped throughout the country. People flocked to Mineral Wells to drink its waters and bathe in specially constructed bathhouses. J. C. Son, founder of the Palo Pinto Star, wrote articles extolling the water in exchange for one of Lynch's town lots. The railroad reached Mineral Wells in 1891, and the first of several resort hotels, the Hexagon House, was built in 1897.

By 1920 the town had 400 mineral wells and was billed as "the South's greatest health resort."

A certificate for 250 shares of Capital Stock in the Crazy Water Company, that once belonged to Boyce Ditto is shown here.

Mineral Wells was known for many years as the South’s Greatest Health Resort and the city “Where America drinks its way to Health.” The Famous Mineral Water Company was established in 1904 by Ed Dismuke. The Famous Mineral Water continues to bottle the waters that brought health seekers to Mineral Wells a century ago. The historic Crazy Water mineral water is now only available through the Famous Mineral Water Company.


HISTORY
Mineral Wells was founded on water. In 1887, the first settlers came to the area and realized that traveling four miles to retrieve water from the Brazos River was quite the task. In 1880, a well driller made his way through town and drilled the area’s first well. In the beginning, the water’s funny taste worried people, so they watered their livestock to see if it would harm them. Soon after, the settlers began drinking the water and began to recognize the water’s “healing powers”.

People began flocking to the area to try the magical waters and shortly after wells were being drilled throughout Mineral Wells. Quickly bathhouses, drinking pavilions, and spas began opening to cash in. The trains that brought visitors also helped the mineral water companies distribute their products outside of the area.

Entrepreneurs found more and more efficient ways to ship the waters—namely by shipping the minerals only in crystal form. Those who bought the crystals could add them to their water and instantly have Mineral Wells mineral water. Today, the only water company still in business is the Famous Mineral Water Company. This drinking pavilion has been serving its customers for over 100 years. The “Crazy Water” is now distributed throughout the United States and is the heart and soul of Mineral Wells.
...