Opened as a private spa in 1838, visitors to Bladon Springs traveled from all over the country to benefit from the “curing” properties of the park’s 4 mineral wells. In 1846, a large Greek Revival hotel was built to accommodate the influx of visitors. This health resort was once called the “Saratoga of the South” and remained open through the Civil War. The State of Alabama purchased the property in 1934 and converted the location to the state park it is today.