Thesis (M.A.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1993. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-92). Also available via the Internet.

This history of the Rockbridge Alum Springs near Lexington, Virginia, covers the entire development of the spa from 1790 through its rapid growth and popularity in the nineteenth century, its final death in 1919, its restoration in the 1940's, and its present state in the 1970's. The Cult of the Spa was an important social element in the South during the nineteenth century, and the Springs of Virginia served the nation with their various health-giving waters and their social opportunities. Rockbridge Alum Springs developed from a small, one-hotel enterprise, into a sprawling establishment with two major hotels, several smaller hotels and numerous cabins, serving at its height almost 1,000 people. In the 1850's, and again in the 1880's, it was second in popularity only to the White Sulphur Springs, however, its fame has generally long been forgotten. The effects of the Civil War, the death of the Age of Belledom and the coming of the automobile so changed southern society that, along with ninety percent of the spas, the Rockbridge Alum Springs met its death after the turn of the century. The Alum, however, was partially restored in 1940 as the owners hoped to turn it into a wild life refuge and a retreat for scientists. Although its nature had changed, the Alum has been fortunate enough to survive, while many other watering places have long since been absorbed into the earth. / Master of Arts

Reliable household water supply remains a problem for many small rural neighborhoods. Safe drinking water is increasingly becoming a national issue, and many small rural systems do not have the governmental supports, both financial and technical, that assure them an adequate and safe household water supply. This study focused on describing the attitudes and practices of 43 householders in a low-income rural neighborhood that owned their own water system. They had experienced chronic water problems for eight years, and were trying to get the county to take over the system. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire that was developed by the researcher. An 82 percent return was achieved. Dependent variables used for analysis were: age, sex, educational level, income, and tenure status. Findings showed that most residents took minimal action to prepare for water shortages: storing only two-five gallons in plastic jugs, females taking this action more often than males. No one had developed a larger storage system. Most residents relied on family and friends for emergency water, as well as alternative bathing and toilet facilities. Forty-five percent also used a privy or the woods for alternative toilet facilities. Older residents were more likely to use sponge baths as alternative bathing. The worst problems with the situation were not having water and carrying alternative supplies. Though the majority of residents were not satisfied with the water system, they felt the cost of water was about right. A majority of residents were satisfied with their housing and the location in which they lived. / Master of Science

Unionist sentiment was prevalent in Rockbridge County, Virginia for much of the secession crisis. This thesis traces the political development of Unionism in Rockbridge, examines the economic factors that influenced many county residents to maintain allegiance to the federal Union, and shows how this allegiance manifested itself. My study also reveals that Unionism in Rockbridge eroded gradually during the secession crisis. Many Unionists ultimately favored allying Virginia with the Confederacy because they recognized both the threat Abraham Lincoln posed to their liberty and the possible ramifications of isolating their state from the rest of the slave states. / Master of Arts

This project documents the Ludwick-Swope Farmstead's architectural development from 1833 until 1994. Technology, economics, and local preferences all impacted this process. There was no set year when the farm "appeared" in full blown form. The evolution occurred over many decades.House histories and county histories are common in Rockbridge County, but no research has focused on farmstead history. Court records, historic photographs, area histories, the farmstead, and oral histories were examined. Each source provided information on the farmsteads development. This information was combined into a historic structures report, which documents the findings and the farmstead's current condition.Complete farmsteads are becoming scarce and few people remember what structures were once part of a working farm. Although some museums have farmstead reconstructions, no attempt has been made to show farmstead development over a broad period of time. This paper was designed to remedy this oversight by documenting one farmsteads development through the past century and a half. / Department of Architecture

Master of Science