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Excelsior Springs, MO

Frequently asked questions

Excelsior Springs, MO

Excelsior Springs is a city in Clay and Ray counties in the U.S. state of Missouri and part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The population was 10,553 at the 2020 census. It is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) northeast of central Kansas City, Missouri.

This location had a major incident during the historic march of Zion's Camp in 1834 when a contingent of about 200 Mormon believers, marching to rescue their brethren in Jackson County, faced an angry mob of more than 300. Near two forks of Fishing River, a terrible fight was about to start when a severe thunderstorm rolled in suddenly and put the mob to flight. Zion's Camp was able to move forward unharmed. Historical markers to the incident are located nearby.

The town was founded because of the natural spring water that gushed from the depths of the earth. The spring was accidentally discovered in 1880 by a Black farmer, Travis Mellion when his daughter Opal fell ill with scrofula, a form of cervical tuberculosis. He asked for advice from nearby campers, and they suggested the spring that oozed from the bank of the Fishing River. Water was brought to his daughter and in a few weeks, her health improved noticeably, and she eventually recovered. A log-cabin farmer, Frederick Kugler, also began to treat his rheumatic knees and a recurring sore from a Civil War wound, and he soon recovered.

Rev. John Van Buren Flack traveled there in 1880 after hearing about the medicinal values of the spring water. The spring belonged to land owner Anthony W. Wyman. After Flack investigated the water sources, he advised Wyman to have the land platted, and water analyzed, and to begin advertising the cures the water held. Flack built a home on a 40-acre (160,000 m2) tract that Wyman had platted and opened the town's first dry goods store and the first church. The spring was named Excelsior after a popular Longfellow poem, which later changed to Siloam.

Excelsior Springs is located along the East Fork Fishing River. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.45 square miles (27.07 km2), of which 10.43 square miles (27.01 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.

Excelsior Springs places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Excelsior Springs Hospital offers various specialized healthcare services, including emergency care with 24/7 availability and short wait times. Additionally, the hospital provides home health and hospice services, serving four counties in Missouri. Start your relaxation journey at The Elms Hotel & Spa, a historic venue known for its luxurious spa services and treatments. Engage in some outdoor activities at Watkins Mill State Park and Excelsior Springs Golf Course for a refreshing experience. The Excelsior Springs Parks, Recreation, and Community Center provides excellent facilities including an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness studio, weight room, and racquetball courts, making it a hub for fitness enthusiasts. Anytime Fitness is a well-equipped gym that offers a range of workout options.
 

Top Sites in Excelsior Springs, MO: Hall Of Waters Visitor Center, Excelsior Springs Museum, and Tryst Falls Park.
 

ZIP code: 64024. Population: 10,580 (2022). Wrestling coach: coach Cody Beck excelsiorspringsstandard.com. Area code: 816. Elevation: 866 ft (264 m). Area: 10.45 square miles (27.07 km2).
 

FAQs

Does Excelsior Springs, MO have springs?

Excelsior Springs, Missouri, (population 10,847) was founded in 1880 on the site of a mineral water spring after settlers discovered its medicinal qualities. Twenty springs bubbling out of four distinct varieties of water let Excelsior Springs promote itself as having the world's greatest group of mineral waters. A particularly unusual feature of the group lies in the fact that it includes two of the six known iron-manganese springs in the world.

Is Excelsior Springs, MO a good place to live?

Excelsior Springs violent crime rates are very low, and lower than most communities in the KC metro area, according to the Safest Cities to Live in Missouri 2019 report. Excelsior Springs jumped from #37 in 2016’s report ranking to #15 this year with a safety index rating of 0.43. The Excelsior Springs Police Department’s primary duty is to protect people and property and to do so 24/7/365 within the city limits of Excelsior Springs.

What are the demographics of Excelsior Springs, MO?

Excelsior Springs is a city located in Clay County and Ray County Missouri. Excelsior Springs has a 2024 population of 10,578. Excelsior Springs is currently declining at a rate of -0.01% annually and its population has decreased by -0.04% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 10,582 in 2020. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Excelsior Springs was: White: 88.23%, Black or African American: 5.44%, Two or more races: 4.72%, Other race: 1.36%, Asian: 0.14%, Native American: 0.1%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%.
 

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Excelsior Springs

Achp

World Population Review

Hall Of Waters Visitor Center

Excelsior Springs Museum

Tryst Falls Park

Excelsior Springs Hospital

The Elms Hotel & Spa

Watkins Mill State Park

Excelsior Springs Golf Course

Pairings By Van Till

Excelsior Springs Parks, Recreation, Community Center

Anytime Fitness

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