World’s Only Captive Geyser

One notable attempt to commercialize the mineral-laden springs in the area, came in 1937, resulting in the discovery and implementation of the “world’s only man-made, captive geyser.”  Numerous geologists had noted remnants of volcanic activity in Soda Springs through the years. S. E. Matthews, a prominent local businessman began thinking of ways to commercialize the area’s unique natural wonders, looking to find a source of clean hot mineral water to fill a swimming pool to be used in medicinal treatments.  

According to the written account in “Tosoiba Sparkling Waters,” “In 1924, a visiting government geologist, Dr. Harold T. Stearns, went exploring with Mr. (S.E.) Matthews and showed him where he might drill to tap a source of scalding water. The project was discussed for the next thirteen years with more and more businessmen, going along with it.  In 1937, then, 21 men formed the Soda Springs Geyser Co. Inc, not calling it that until they learned they had a geyser- and started drilling.  Dr. Stearns had promised water at 300 feet.” According to conversations with Bill Horsley in July, 2022, these men invested $100 each, but were running out of hope, 8” pipe, and were totally out of money.  The hole was drilled to 315 feet, when on Nov. 20, 1937 the workmen went to their trailer house to prepare supper.  At about 7:30 pm they noticed the sound of what they thought was a Union Pacific engine, letting off steam nearby.  

“Came time to throw out the dishwater (from dinner) and they saw steam over their rig.  They went to the well field to find there had been no locomotive at all but instead a rampaging geyser.  Water was squirting 100 feet over the top of the rig.  The drill had broken into a subterranean chamber where carbon dioxide gas (the stuff dry ice is made of) mixed with the water and gave it pressure. The geyser was capped with some difficulty.”

 A source of mineral water had been found, but it was quickly found not to be suitable for the proposed pool. Initially the water came out hot, but it rapidly cooled permanently. It was determined that the water that was steaming-hot underground quickly cooled as it passed through the carbon dioxide pool at the top of the underground stream, as it made its way to the surface.  And not only was the water not hot, but it had a certain milk-like tint and texture, making it less than ideal as a water source in a health-promoting attraction.  The stream of water was capped and an apparatus attached allowing the geyser to erupt, whenever conditions allowed.  Since a decent windstorm would blow mineral water over surrounding buildings and vehicles, eruptions are allowed only when deposits will not spread over the surrounding area.  

Interestingly, the geyser’s eruptions were suspended when its owners unexpectedly received a telegram from the US Department of the Interior on Nov. 30, 1937.   The Western Union telegram, reads: MAYOR OF SODA SPRINGS SODA SPRINGS IDAHO 

HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE GYSER STRIKE IN YOUR TOWN   stop   YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE PREPARATIONS TO TURN IT OFF AS IT IS THROWING ‘OLD FAITHFUL’ OUT OF SCHEDULE  stop  WIRE THIS DEPARTMENT COLLECT WHEN YOU HAVE IT STOPPED.

HAAROLD ICKES

   SEC OF INTERIOR

It seems that Yellowstone Park’s famous Old Famous geyser had recently noted noticeable changes in the geyser’s once-predictable eruptions.  Though Yellowstone Park is located nearly 165 miles apart, someone had complained that Soda’s captive geyser had caused irregularity in Old Faithful’s eruptions. So, the captive geyser was not permitted to erupt until it was determined that the two events were not related.

When conditions are just right, The World’s Only Captive Geyser is allowed to erupt hourly during daylight hours.  Though the envisioned hordes of tourists never materialized, it was once featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. The geyser is located just north of Eastman’s Drug at 116 S. Main Street.  No trip to Soda Springs is complete without a stop at the geyser’s Visitor Center, where many interesting facts and histories of the Soda Springs area are on display.  Restrooms are on-site. As of the date of this writing, a You Tube documentary on the world’s only man-made geyser is being produced by Englishman, Tom Scott, a noted producer of local content and is expected to be released in later summer, 2022.