A new era was born in Excelsior Springs with the development of this period. International attention was directed to the young American resort at the World's Fair held in Chicago in 1893 when medals were awarded Regent spring iron-manganese water and Soterian ginger ale. State and national organizations were quick to recognize Excelsior Springs as an ideal convention city. Additional train facilities came in October 1893, with the opening of the "Sulpho-Saline" route, connecting with the Wabash main line. Fire destroyed the Excelsior Hotel and the first Elms Hotel, leaving only cottage hotels and boarding houses to receive the ever increasing number of visitors to the city. Plans began immediately for the second Elms Hotel, but also erected were the Wholf's Tavern (later Royal Hotel), Snapp Hotel (later Oaks Hotel), and others. By 1909 there existed 14 modern hotels and 200 boarding and rooming houses. From 1900 to 1908, an active program of municipal improvements was carried out. Gas, water, and electric franchises were granted; Siloam Spring became the property of the City; the channel of Fishing River moved to its present location, and by 1908, the second Elms Hotel was built. A year later, the second Elms Hotel was swept by fire and in 1912, the third and present Elms Hotel, listed on the national register, was opened. The creation and development of a $200,000 park system; the first nine holes of the Excelsior Springs Golf Club and subsequent expansion into a 36-hole course; the erection of many large structures including the Masonic Hall, Auditorium, Odd Fellows building, Morse buildings and others; inauguration of hourly transportation service to Kansas City by the coming of the interurban railway in January 1912; expansion of public utilities, and subsequent development of a system of highways including the Kansas City-Excelsior Springs road and other epoch-making strides contributed greatly in making Excelsior Springs America's Haven of Health. Click to continue: George Kessler Parkway Return to top