Grand Hotel

The Grand Hotel is the star of the campus and remains in excellent condition owing to its continuous active use until 1991. The state Blue Book records that Thomas Jefferson designed the building before his death in 1826. Newer research indicates that the building may have been designed by William B. Phillips who worked with Jefferson on the University of Virginia campus. John B. Lewis constructed the Grand Hotel in 1839.

Jail

The Jail was built by William Lewis in 1795 in an attempt to encourage growth of a town around Sweet Springs. It was accompanied by a Jailer's Tenement and Courthouse, which served as the district court from 1795-1807. By 1802, two felons had escaped and it was deemed insecure.

Brick Cottages

The 5 brick cottages at Sweet Springs are known as the Five Sisters and were built around 1857 by Oliver Beirne. They were part of his semicircular plan for Sweet Springs. In 1910 they had between eight and fourteen rooms each.

Bath House

The Bath House is a brick structure built around 1858 by Oliver Beirne around a pool of crystal clear water characterized by the bubbles of carbonic acid continually rising to the surface.The healing waters have been claimed to cure nearly any ailment. During the years when Sweet Springs operated as a resort, the price for a bath remained 25 cents.

Lewis Cottage

The Lewis Cottage (Manor House) was constructed by John B. Lewis, the son of William L. Lewis, who was the founder of Old Sweet Springs. In the early 1800's, John B. Lewis took over the management of the property and it was about the same time that he constructed the cottage, which was built directly behind the "mineral spring". Upon the restoration recently, it was discovered that a portion of the structure was hand hewn logs, and it is believed by many that these are part of the original Moss hut. Moss did not take patent to the land and his holdings became property of William L. Lewis who raised a log cabin about a mile down the road known at that time as the Red Springs.

Nannie's Cottage

Oliver Beirne built this cottage for his daughter Nannie between the Lewis Cottage and the Bath House sometime between 1861 and 1868. Beirne likely encouraged his daughter to join him at Old Sweet for safety during the Civil War.

Other historical buildings will be be added regularly. Please check back for regular updates.