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Old-fashioned summer vacations to the mountains of Western North Carolina - maybe in the 1920s through the 1950s or '60s - often involved long hours on winding mountain roads in the family car with the kids jumping around in the back seat. But for those who braved the pre-Interstate highway travel and settled into the serene surroundings of Laurel Park's Crystal Springs area, the benefit was well worth all of the trouble it was to get there. The cool, sunny mountain weather was complimented by the beautiful scenery and the family activities that were offered all summer long. Crystal Springs was, during this time, one of the best reasons people flocked to the Hendersonville area to spend summer vacation time. People came from all over the South to collect water from Crystal Springs, long considered some of the best mountain spring water to be found anywhere in the South. The spring could be seen cascading down the mountain, pooling up in several areas on its way, giving vacationers and residents alike a magnificent view of Mother Nature's best. The area became so popular that a tram started near Crystal Springs, creating lots of traffic, and a large trail system grew through the forest surrounding the springs. A trail that came to be known as Cupid's Trail was said to be one of the more popular among them, with the trail's name providing a clue for that popularity. Many families stayed at the Crystal Springs Inn (see photo on right), now the Laurel Park Apartments, during their summer visits. The Crystal Springs Inn (Laurel Park Apartments) is located at 2010 Laurel Park Highway. Since that time, the front of Crystal Springs has been walled in, with water weeping through the wall in several spots. What was once one of Laurel Park's most beautiful sites is now in need of some thoughtful care and attention. This is where Paul Hansen and the Laurel Park Civic Association come in. Hansen, president of the volunteer group's board (and who vacationed in Laurel Park with his family as a child), is looking for people, pictures, stories, memories, and ideas to help the civic association plan and execute a clean-up and revitalization of Crystal Springs and the surrounding area. Crystal Springs' old-fashioned natural charm is an obvious asset to Laurel Park's modern-day appeal. Anyone who lived in the area or vacationed at Crystal Springs, and has pictures, stories, or ideas to help shape the future of the revitalization project, is encouraged to contact the Laurel Park Civic Association at PO Box 2723, Hendersonville, NC, 28793, or call Paul Hansen at 828-697-1910. These same pictures, stories, and memories will be helpful in rounding out the Laurel Park Civic Association's history brochure, a current project that has been undertaken by the association's history committee. The civic association is planning a clean-up day or clean-up weekend at the springs on a date as yet to be determined; Hendersonville.com will post it on the Calendar of Events when a date is decided.
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