What Did People Do at Resorts?

What did people do at resorts?

Resort life offered lots of activities aside from the baths. The larger resorts had billiards, and indoor games such as bingo and cards. Some had libraries. Taking advantage of the great weather guests enjoyed bowling, lawn tennis and croquet. Resorts were known for their well groomed trails that guests walked and hiked. Swimming pools, hot springs baths, and mud baths were essential draws for the resorts. Boating, hunting, and fishing along with horseback riding were popular activities among guests. Evening dances, musicales, and plays rounded out the activities at resorts providing entertainment day and night.

Five young people posing in front of a sign for Angwin's Resort.

Young Folks at Angwin’s Resort

Date: ca. 1890

Pacheteau’s Hot Spring

Date: ca. 1900

Sharpsteen Museum
NCHS Collection

Dr. Aalder’s Roman Plunge

Date: ca. 1900

Horsing Around at Napa Soda Springs 

Date: ca. 1910

NCHS Collection
Three people sitting in a horse-drawn buggy.
Courtesy of Sharpsteen Museum

Out for a Buggy Ride 

Date: ca. 1880

Veterans Parade Float USS Monitor

Date: ca. 1880

Courtesy of Sharpsteen Museum
A man holding the reins in a buggy pulled by two horses, taken somewhere at Aetna Springs.
Courtesy of Keenan Family

Carriage Ride at Aetna Springs

Date: ca. 1890

Concert Band

Date: ca. 1880

NCHS Collection
NCHS Collection

St. Helena Concert Band

Date: ca. 1880

Pope Valley Cornet Band

Date: ca. 1910

The Pope Valley Cornet Band, several men posed in a group photograph with brass instruments and drums.
Courtesy of St. Helena Historical Society
Men and women relax in chairs in a lobby area of the Calistoga hotel.
Courtesy of Winter Collection

Calistoga Hotel Interior 

Date: ca. 1890

Man Reading on Porch at Aetna Springs

Date: ca. 1890

A man reads on the porch of a cabin at Aetna Springs.
Courtesy of Keenan Family
A family with three women, a man and three small children near the porch of a cabin at Aetna Springs resort.
Courtesy of Keenan Family

Family at Aetna Springs Cottage

Date: ca. 1890

Inside Rotunda at Napa Soda Springs

Date: ca. 1890

NCHS Collection
NCHS Collection

Golf Course at Aetna Springs

Date: ca. 1930

Dining Hall at Aetna Springs Resort

Date: ca. 1920

People in the dining room at Aetna Springs resort, seated at tables and eating.
Courtesy of St. Helena Historical Society
NCHS Collection

Swimming Tank at Aetna Springs

Date: ca. 1890

Swimming at Myrtledale Hot Springs

Date: ca. 1910

People swimming in the river at Myrtledale Resort. One man stands on a bridge above the river.
Courtesy of Winter Collection
NCHS Collection

Family Fishing and Relaxing Near Lombardi’s Resort

Date: ca. 1880

Minerva Switzer & Alice Mariott at Napa Soda Springs

Date: ca. 1900

NCHS Collection
People standing near a horse and buggy in a wooded area near the Bridge at Shady Brook.
Courtesy of Sharpsteen Museum

Horse and Buggy on Bridge at Shady Brook

Date: ca. 1880

Return from Hunting at Lombardi’s Resort

Date: ca. 1880

NCHS Collection
NCHS Collection

Men with Fishing Catch

Date: ca. 1920