The Electro-Chalybeate Well - Jackson, TN

According to the Historical Marker:
Thousands visited this artesian well in the early 1900s to drink its mineral water believed to cure stomach, liver and kidney ailments. It and the adjacent Water Plant, built in 1885, were part of 54 acre Lancaster Park which also included a zoo, a large goldfish and lily pond, bandstand, children's playground, and Johnny's popcorn stand.

Located in the middle of West Tennessee is this little artesian well, which certainly reminds me of a bygone era. Back then, the things that everyone thought had curative properties were either medicines with high alcohol content or icky water from under the Earth. I still don't think I fully understand what Electro-Chalybeate water is supposed to be, but at least it didn't smell as bad as sulphur water.

When this was built well over a century ago, it was certainly crafted with care. It's inside of a nice-looking well-maintained gazebo. The actual well - it's not so good. The water comes forth out of the ground, up the middle where it flows down the fountain. From there, a series of 8 pipes form spokes from the center of the octagon out to eight drinking fountains. Here, it looks like one of the pipes on the right had burst, but various other plumbing maladies has caused seven of the eight fountains to not work anymore. (I'm guessing that restoring the fountain's functionality isn't high on any city employee's to do list.) The one that still works is the furthest on the left in this view.

Just by looking at it, after over a century of use, there's some combination of rust / mold / chipping layers of paint that makes me think nobody would want to drink this. Yet, for those who find this refreshing or might just have more of an adventurous spirit for consuming things fresh from out of the ground, there is a warning sign that the water is untreated and partaking is not recommended. I find that ironic. Back then, it was something you should do because it's strait from the ground and healthy, but now it's something you should not do because it's straight from the ground and unhealthy. Hooray for Science. Well, the Well is well-preserved for history's sake.