Excelsior Springs, MO
Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is a historic city known as a 19th-century mineral water health resort. Its legacy is centered on the iconic Hall of Waters, which features the world's longest mineral water bar.
About the City
Official Status and Administrative Affiliation
The city's full official name is Excelsior Springs. It is a city located primarily in Clay County, with a small portion extending into Ray County, in the state of Missouri . It is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, situated about 30 miles (48 km) northeast of downtown Kansas City . Missouri is known as the "Show-Me State" and serves as a geographic and cultural crossroads, blending Midwestern and Southern influences.
Date of Foundation and Age
Excelsior Springs was founded in 1880, making the city 145 years old as of 2025 . The city's origin is tied to a legendary discovery by a local farmer named Travis Mellion. When his daughter Opal fell ill with scrofula, he sought advice from nearby campers who suggested using water from a spring oozing from the bank of the Fishing River. After drinking the water, his daughter's health remarkably improved. This story of miraculous healing spread, attracting people seeking cures and leading to the city's establishment .
Geographic Position and Coordinates
- Geographic Coordinates: 39°20′21″N 94°14′24″W (39.339, -94.24) .
- Location: The city is situated along the East Fork Fishing River in western Missouri .
- Elevation: The center of the city is at an elevation of 866 feet (264 meters) above sea level .
- Settlement Type: Excelsior Springs is a historic spa town and a residential suburb within the Kansas City metro area .
City Type and Economic Specialization
Historically, Excelsior Springs was a world-renowned health resort and spa town, with its economy centered on the curative powers of its mineral waters . Today, while primarily a residential community within the Kansas City orbit, it still maintains ties to its past. The city's identity is anchored by the Hall of Waters and the sale of bottled mineral water . Modern economic activities also include agriculture, with corn, livestock, and hay being significant products .
Population and Demographics
- Population: As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 10,553 .
- Size Classification: Excelsior Springs is a small city.
- Demographic Note: It is a predominantly white community (88.5%), with a median age of 35.8 years .
City's "Business Card" (Briefly)
Excelsior Springs is a historic spa town, famous for its once-"world's greatest collection of mineral waters" . Its legacy is enshrined in the magnificent Art Deco Hall of Waters, home to the world's longest mineral water bar, offering visitors a unique taste of the city's miraculous past .
Landmarks
Hall of Waters
The Hall of Waters is the city's most iconic landmark and its current City Hall . Located at 201 E. Broadway, this striking five-level building was constructed between 1936 and 1938 by architects Keene & Simpson as a Public Works Administration project . Its architectural style is a blend of Art Deco and Depression Modern, featuring a decorative boiler stack tower with a 30-foot aluminum cap .
The building was designed to be a grand mineral water health resort, channeling waters from several local springs, including the historic Siloam Spring, all under one roof . It famously contains the world's longest mineral water bar, where visitors could sample different varieties of the city's "aqua varietals," such as iron-manganese and saline-sulphur water . The complex also originally featured a championship-sized swimming pool and hydrotherapy departments .
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, the Hall of Waters was named one of "America's Most Endangered Historic Places" in 2020 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, highlighting its significance and need for preservation . The building is currently closed for renovations as of 2023 .
The Elms Hotel
The historic Elms Hotel is another cornerstone of Excelsior Springs' resort heritage. Its foundation was laid shortly after the city's founding to accommodate the influx of visitors drawn by the healing waters . The hotel is famously associated with a piece of American political history. On Election Night in 1948, President Harry S. Truman stayed at the Elms Hotel. Believing he had lost the election to Thomas E. Dewey, he went to sleep, only to be awakened in the early morning hours by aides informing him of his victory, which led to the iconic "Dewey Defeats Truman" photograph .
Transport
Local Public Transportation
Excelsior Springs operates its own public transportation system, providing a reliable and affordable curb-to-curb service for residents . The service runs Monday through Friday, with scheduled stops at key locations throughout the city including the Hall of Waters, Excelsior Springs Hospital, Walmart, and Price Chopper . Rides must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance by phone, and the fare is $2.00 per one-way trip .
Ride-Sharing Services
For more on-demand travel, residents and visitors can use ride-sharing services like Uber to get around Excelsior Springs and to nearby destinations . Popular routes from the city include trips to the Walmart, Target, and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City .
Airports and Major Highways
Excelsior Springs does not have its own commercial airport. The nearest major airport is Kansas City International Airport (MCI), located about 30 miles to the southwest . The city is also easily accessible by car, with its transportation service following the Excelsior Springs School District's closure schedule during inclement weather .
Geography
Water Resources: The Springs and Fishing River
The defining geographic feature of Excelsior Springs is its namesake: the mineral water springs. Discovered starting in 1880, the area is home to more than 20 separate mineral springs, each with a unique mineral composition . This rare concentration of different waters—including iron-manganese, saline-sulphur, and lithia springs—earned the city its reputation as having the "world's greatest collection of mineral waters" in the late 19th and early 20th centuries . The city is also located along the East Fork Fishing River, a waterway that has played a central role in the city's history, from the initial spring discovery to historic floods that shaped its development .
Nearby Parks and Natural Areas
While Excelsior Springs itself is a small city, its location within the Kansas City metro area provides access to several nearby outdoor recreation opportunities. Within a short drive, visitors can explore:
- Watkins Woolen Mill State Park: Located in nearby Kearney, MO, this park is a historic site and a popular spot for hiking, camping, and fishing .
- Smithville Lake: A large reservoir north of Kansas City offering boating, fishing, and camping, located a short drive from Excelsior Springs .
- Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area: A nature preserve in Blue Springs, MO, with hiking trails and a nature center .
Climate and Weather
Type of Climate and General Characteristics
Excelsior Springs has a humid subtropical climate (or "humid continental" on its colder extremes), characterized by four distinct seasons . It experiences hot, muggy summers and cold, snowy winters, with partly cloudy skies year-round .
Average Temperatures
Temperatures vary significantly between seasons. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 88°F (31°C) and an average low of 67°F (19°C) . The coldest month is January, with an average high of 40°F (4°C) and an average low of 22°F (-6°C) .
Precipitation and Humidity
The city receives a significant amount of precipitation, averaging about 990 mm (39 inches) of rain per year . The wettest period is in late spring and early summer, with May and June seeing the most rainfall, averaging 4.8 inches each . Humidity levels are high during the summer, with an annual average around 82% . Winter brings snowfall, with January averaging 3.5 inches .
Seasonality and Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Excelsior Springs for warm-weather activities is from late May to mid-September .
- Spring (March-May): Temperatures warm up considerably, from an average high of 56°F in March to 75°F in May. This is one of the rainier periods, but the landscape becomes lush and green .
- Summer (June-August): This is the hottest and muggiest time of year, with high temperatures often reaching the upper 80s. It is also the sunniest period, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms .
- Fall (September-November): Temperatures cool down to pleasant levels, with highs ranging from 78°F in September to 53°F in November. This season offers crisp air and fall colors.
- Winter (December-February): Winters are cold and snowy. Highs are typically just above freezing, and lows often drop into the 20s. This is the quietest time of year .