Richardson Springs, California

Richardson Springs (formerly, Mud Springs)[2] is an unincorporated community in Butte County, California. It is located on Mud Creek 8.5 miles (13.7 km) north-northeast of Chico,[2] at an elevation of 620 feet (189 m). The place is named for J.H. and Lee Richardson, who founded spas here in 1898.[2] A post office was opened in 1933.[2]

Richardson Springs
Unincorporated community
Richardson Springs
Location in California
Richardson Springs
Richardson Springs (the United States)
Coordinates: 39°50′24″N 121°46′37″W
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
CountyButte County
Elevation620 ft (189 m)

History
A view of Richardson Springs, California in 1915

The Richardson brothers built a hotel, named the Richardson Springs Hotel, completed in 1903 that boasted a 14-bedroom wooden frame building on their ranch. Their ranch featured an old Indian spring, the mud of which was claimed to be able to heal cuts and skin diseases. One listing in 1913 stated that rooms were between $12–14 per week and the resort was reachable by stagecoach which ran to Chico nearly daily.[3] In 1921, this hotel burned down but was reconstructed and reopened in 1924.[4]

In 1914–1915, natural gas was discovered near Mud Creek and piped for use at the resort for lighting and heating. Speculation was also made that oil might be nearby as well.[5]

During the filming of The Adventures of Robin Hood, many of the actors frequented the resort at Richardson Springs. During World War II, soldiers stayed at the hotel; the imposed rationing of gasoline and other goods slowed patronage.[4]

The resort was renovated with modern fixtures and furniture, including a bar, in 1956. However, with business not picking up, the site was sold to Springs of Living Water, Inc., a non-profit Christian organization, in 1968.[4]

The hotel is now owned by YWAM Chico, a non-profit Christian organization.[6]

Notable people

References
  1. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Richardson Springs, California
  2. Durham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 300. ISBN 1-884995-14-4.
  3. Drury, Wells; Drury, Aubrey (1913). California Tourist Guide and Handbook: Authentic Description of Routes of Travel and Points of Interest in California. Western guidebook Company. p. 206. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  4. Moon, Debra (2003). Chico: Life and Times of a City of Fortune. Arcadia Publishing. pp. 62, 138. ISBN 9780738524467. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  5. Pacific Service Magazine. Pacific Gas and Electric Company. 1915. pp. 59–60.
  6. "Conference Center". YWAM Chico. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  7. Genocide memorial built to honor famed General known as the “George Washington of Armenia”, YWAM Chico News
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