Pence Springs, located along the Greenbrier River, was known for its naturally occurring mineral springs, which were believed to have curative properties. Long before the resort era, Indigenous peoples and early settlers alike sought out these waters, attributing them to healing ailments ranging from digestive issues to rheumatism.

The areas rise as a resort destination began in the late 19th century, during the golden age of mineral spas. Wealthy families from cities like Richmond, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., flocked to mineral springs resorts in the Appalachian region for relaxation and treatment. Entrepreneurs, seeing the economic potential, began investing in hotels and spas near these natural springs.

Around the early 1900s, the Pence Springs Hotel was established as a luxurious retreat, designed to attract guests who wanted both the serenity of the mountains and the reputed health benefits of the mineral waters. The resort offered grand accommodations, including elegantly furnished rooms, wraparound porches, and beautifully manicured gardens.

A Destination for the Wealthy

The hotel flourished in the early decades of the 20th century. Guests arrived by train via the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, which had a stop nearby, making travel more accessible for well-to-do patrons from across the East Coast. The resorts mineral baths, combined with social events such as ballroom dances, horseback riding, and fine dining, made it a desirable getaway.

One of the most famous aspects of Pence Springs was its bottled water business. The mineral-rich spring water was so highly regarded that it was bottled and shipped across the country, sold in pharmacies as a medicinal tonic. The hotel and the bottling plant provided local employment and boosted the regions economy.

Changes and Reinvention

Like many grand resorts of its era, the Pence Springs Hotel faced difficulties as the Great Depression took its toll in the 1930s. Luxury travel declined, and fewer people could afford to vacation at mineral spring resorts. The hotel struggled, changing hands multiple times over the next few decades.

By the mid-20th century, the once-grand hotel had begun to fade. The rise of the automobile and improved road systems meant travelers were no longer reliant on rail-accessible destinations. Additionally, the public's faith in mineral waters medicinal benefits had waned.

Later, in a dramatic shift, the once-glamorous resort became a womens prison, further distancing itself from its past as a place of leisure. O. Ashby Berkeley purchased the property from the State of WV somewhere in the 1980s. Berkley renovated the hotel to be used once again as a grand country hotel and resort. After Berkley sold the property an out of state firm developed a high end school for girls. The girls school was called Greenbrier Girls Academy.

Legacy and the Present Day

Despite the hotels decline, Pence Springs remains a point of historical interest, particularly due to its mineral springs and the legacy of its heyday as a premier resort. Today, much of the original resort infrastructure is gone, but echoes of its past can still be found in local lore and historical records.

The Pence Springs Flea Market, held near the site of the former hotel, now draws visitors every weekend, continuing the tradition of bringing people to this once-thriving location. While the grand days of the resort have long passed, the name "Pence Springs" still evokes an era of elegance, healing waters, and the golden age of West Virginias mineral spa industry.