It was during the days of 1880 that the healing powers of the iron-rust red water in the spring around which Excelsior Springs was built was discovered by accident. Early pioneers called the spring “pizen” and let it alone; however, after the astonishing cure of Travis Million’s daughter and of the German farmer, Fred Kugler, word spread of the new cure. Persons afflicted with other ailments came; more results were obtained and the fame of the health-giving water spread far and wide.

The owner of the spring was Anthony W. Wyman.

Although Mr. Wyman is given credit for owning the land and making it available at low cost for development, records show that it was his wife, Elizabeth Wyman, who held title to the land. Gibson Gates secured the original patent from President Van Buren, September 7, 1838. Gates sold to Jobe Morris. Morris sold to Asel Wilcox. The Wilcox heirs sold it to Travis Turner. Turner sold to J.L. Mulliken. Mulliken sold to Elizabeth Wyman, September 7, 1875, for a cost of $600.

Anthony Wyman entered a partnership with the Rev. J.V.B. Flack for the land development. It was Rev. Flack who took the initiative for marketing the land and the water, opening the first dry goods store and founding the first church. Not much is actually recorded in the history books about the Wymans, except that they were generous and public spirited and, later, when the first high school was built on the west hill, it was called Wyman in honor of Anthony. One of the streets downtown bears the name Elizabeth, after his wife. Another street in the original 40 acres is named Marietta, after the Rev. Flack’s wife.

Before a year had elapsed, 200 houses nestled in the little valley and clung to the rugged hillsides, while hundreds of visitors had to content themselves at camp fires, under the tents, and in the shelter of covered wagons, camped in hope that continued use of the waters would revive their health.

Along the same pretty little river about a half-mile southwest of “Excelsior”, a strong flowing spring, surrounded by towering oaks, sugar maples, elms and other varieties of forest trees, had attracted the attention of Captain J.L. Farris, the attorney from Richmond. He had an analysis made and, as the result, another mineral spring was discovered. Captain Farris named the spring “Empire”, later changed to Regent.

Then came more springs, the most prominent of them being Relief, Superior and Saratoga. By 1881 a pump was installed within a small, wooden pavilion at Siloam. Steps from Broadway and the first hotel to the west, the Excelsior, were constructed. A simple wooden bridge was built from the spring over Fishing River to an undeveloped penisula used for rest and relaxation. No town in Missouri had ever grew more rapidly in the ensuing twelve months than Excelsior Springs. The water was plentiful, and it was free.