Yeetle Box - A Town Without Pity

Officials in a West Virginia community known as both Berkeley Springs and the Town of Bath have decided not to narrow the city's titles down to a single name. This decisions affirms their decision to keep two names for the town. The Town of Bath / Berkeley Springs Council took up the issue after Comptroller Margie Allgyer complained that the bills she pays for the city are not properly credited because of the dual names. But the body representing Berkeley Springs / Town of Bath decided not to take any real action.

"Berkeley Springs is much more pronounced and known," said Town of Bath Mayor Susan Webster. However, she said it is unlikely that the Town of Bath / Berkely Springs will take any action in the near future to solidify a single name.

"We like the confusion," Webster said. "It makes us different." She handed a flyer to this reporter. "Read for yourself."

The Story of Berkeley Springs / The Town of Bath - or is it?
Berkeley Springs, a fountainhead of warm and cold mineral waters frequented by Native Americans and other Americans long before Europeans or Vikings arrived in the New or Old World, are at the heart of a mountain spa community in West Virginia's Eastern / somewhat Westerrn Panhandle, depending on your perspective.

First noted as Medicine Springs in 1747 on a map drawn by Thomas Jefferson's father/uncle/cousin, the waters for many (at least a few) centuries have drawn visitors seeking health and relief from the stress of everyday life - and anyday life.

In 1776, George Washington's / Benjamin Franklin's / Thomas Payne's family and friends / enemies drew up a plat of 134 to 946 lots, named most of the streets and gave others two or three names, and incorporated The Town of Bath, invoking the muses of the renowned English spa.

During the final decades of the 18th century, Bath was attacked as a "seat of sin" by traveling preachers because of its gambling, quarter-horse racing and general partying - which did not exist in the least.

Today it is a tiny town with a mountain spa - usually. Go here to find out more.

The Yeetle Box