Richardson Springs

(Chico: A 20th Century Pictoral History)

Richardson Springs is a historic place in Mud Creek canyon just north of Chico off Cohasset Road past the Chico Municipal Airport. The resort was originally owned by Richardson family (who first raised cattle on the land) and maintained as a resort from 1903 to 1967¹. In its first years, people from all over California came to these springs, especially those from San Francisco. They came by the Sacramento Northern Railway to what is now the Amtrak Station (Chico Depot) with the last portion of the trip by buggy².

The property included four springs, all of which are still active. This includes a very smelly sulfur spring that must have had some benefit for the bather, since people subjected themselves to the scent for some reason, it is also ice cold. The rich and famous were known to go out there for a therapeutic soak, a stay in the hotel and a meal from their famous restaurant. Local lore says that Errol Flynn even stayed at the hotel at Richardson Springs when he was in town filming The Adventures of Robin Hood in 1938. The facilities were open as a spa until 1967, when it closed and put up for sale. It was then bought by a religious organization in 1968 which became known as The Springs of Living Water³ and is now known as Youth with a Mission (YWAM).

YWAM uses the resort for religious gatherings and other conferences.

Historically, Richardson Springs was a ritzy resort with natural spring baths.
For more information about YWAM and the facilities, please see the YWAM Chico website.

(MLSC)

Comments:

2008-10-29 16:29:07   Used to vacation there in the 50's and 60's before it sold. It was a magical place. I was a young boy. There was lots to do. The hotel was wonderful. I can remember bands in the evenings on the hotel veranda. The hotel had a great lobby, a gift shop, a soda fountain, cocktail lounge, dining room, TV room, "The Canyon Room" and bingo, which was a big deal back then. There were approximately 100 cabins of all sizes surrounding the hotel. The pool was great. There were three. The spa, I went there once. It was also great although I was too young to fully appreciate it's healing qualities. I could go on and on. The "Indian", at the top of the mountain in front of the hotel would light up at night. During the day we would hike up to the "Indian" it was huge up close and made from metal. There were trails to waterfalls, there was a "swinging" bridge, and of course the "stinking" mineral water which my grandmother would soak her feet in and drink. I think they called it No. 1 and No. 2 water. I spent about 10 summers there and will never forget that place. —70.134.82.42

• Thank you for this wonderful insight into Richardson Springs! This is truly what makes wikis great. Hope to read more of about your experiences in and around Chico! —RyanMikulovsky
  

2010-03-09 15:28:08   Please note that as you enter this facility, the barbed wire on top of the fence leans inward, not outward as one might expect of a security fence. I'm just sayin'.

—71.148.52.42