History of the Sulphur Springs

Sulphur Springs Park has a rich history of exploration and discovery.  In 1900, a local businessman, Charles Gabriel, built several baths at Sulphur Springs, called Ventine Baths, to take advantage of the reputed therapeutic value of the water.  Today, only remnants of his baths can be seen at Sulphur Springs Park.  These mineral waters continue to generate much interest here and abroad.  Cognizant of the value of the waters and wanting to maintain an intimate setting for its users a pool in was built 2004 to tap the waters for bathing.  As expected, the pool which forms part of the Black Water Pool facility has generated much interest and is used by over 1,500 persons monthly.

Between 1974 to1988, several attempts were made to tame and harness the energy of the area.  As a result, 9 exploratory wells were drilled to various depths in and around the area to explore for geothermal energy.  Of the 9 drilled wells, 3 were productive and the others unproductive.  Due to lack of finance, geophysical problems and unfavorable geochemistry of well output, the search for geothermal energy was abandoned.  The remains of some of these wells can still be viewed at Sulphur Springs Park, today.

Mythology

Sulphur Springs Park has and up to recent time been enveloped in much myth and superstition.  Due to fear and ignorance over the true nature of the place, the Arawaks and Caribs, both shamanistic Amerindian tribes, who migrated from South America and locals, found it an awe-inspiring place. 

A local historian, Robert Devaux, has claimed that the Arawaks thought that Yokahu, their God of Fire, was asleep in the bubbling pools of the Sulphur Springs and the Caribs, who followed the Arawaks up the island chain, would sacrifice virgins to appease their supposedly angered God, during periods of intense hydrothermal activity.  Luckily, no such worshipping takes place at Sulphur Springs, today!