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Whether one risks a raucous plunge in the pool or eases body and soul into the soothing 82-degree water heated by the earth's mantle, mineral-rich geothermal waters have long been touted to possess healing powers.

In the 1880s, they were part and parcel of Como Springs Resort in Morgan City. Immigrant pioneers Samuel and Esther Francis arrived in Morgan Valley in 1862 to take up farming in what is now Morgan City. Although the surrounding land was used for raising livestock, the couple was charmed by its natural hot springs and small, unusually warm lake.

In nod to Esther's birthplace in Italy and Lake Como, they called the fishing and swimming hole Como Lake. In 1883, Francis and neighbor Richard Frye acquired 80 acres of land, including the geothermal springs, from Union Pacific Railroad.

During the building of the transcontinental railroad, Union Pacific brought employment to many and opened a depot on Commercial Street.The partners paid $200 for the property, but at the time did not recognize the full value of their "water" mine.

Not until several years later did Dr. Frederick Kohler from Indiana's Rush Medical School move to the county, analyze the water's chemical and physical properties, and begin promoting its therapeutic benefits. Morgan resident, Dr. Thomas Wadsworth, was also in accord.

In 1889, Francis, Fry and Wadsworth formed a company to create a swimming resort; Dr. Kohler became the project's general manager. According to Morgan County historian Linda H. Smith, 40 acres went toward the building of Como Springs Resort.

"Dense underbrush was cleared from around the large cottonwood trees," she wrote in A History of Morgan County. "A large pond was excavated on the east end of the lake. A lumber partition filled with soil was built to separate the swimming area from the lake. Fresh spring water flowed into the plunge bath area first and then into the large lake portion used for boating and other related activities."

Among its facilities were dressing rooms and a small store. A large pavilion was built for roller skating, musical tours, choirs, brass bands and dancing. Fifty-cent roundtrip railroad tickets from Salt Lake City to Morgan were offered to performers and friends. Picnic areas were groomed. A footbridge was built across the Weber River for easier access. By late August 1889, when the resort opened, business boomed.

Several years later, Como Springs Resort took a downturn. The country's economic crisis in 1893, unemployment, bank failures, and Pullman Strike of 1894 had crippled the nation. Few people had money for recreation. The owners focused on other business interests. The resort slipped into disrepair.

In 1921, Como Springs Resort was resurrected. Its new owners, members of the Heiner family and Sumner Nelson, expanded the resort to include grand scale sites for entertainment, recreation, dining, and amusement activities.

A 112-foot by 116-foot concrete pool was poured. Numerous pipes transported hot sulfur water into the pool and lake. More than 30 summer rental cabins were built, and a long slippery slide and high-dive invited competitive and casual swimmers into the bathing pool.

On June 22, 1921, Como Springs Resort reopened its gates to more than 1,500 visitors. By July, a boathouse and café opened on the banks of Lake Como. A newly improved footbridge spanned the Weber River and for those arriving by train from Salt Lake City, the resort was a mere 10-minute walk from the depot.

The resort installed a merry-go-round pulled by Shetlands, and a covered pool for those seeking respite from cool canyon breezes.

It seemed unending: those pool tables, bowling lanes, roller rink, shooting gallery and bowery; those swimming lessons, summer jobs, walking trails, water park, campsites and zip-line; and those thousands of eager visitors, conventioneers and concertgoers.

But it did end. When the last remnant — the resort's public swimming pool — closed in 1986, only ancient hot springs were left in wait for the next go-around.

Eileen Hallet Stone, the author of "Hidden History of Utah," a compilation of her Salt Lake Tribune Living History columns, may be reached at ehswriter@aol.com. Special thanks to Morgan County Assistant Historian Cissy Toone, and Stewart Library, Weber State University.