The Lost Springs of Greene County: Forgotten Watering Holes, Healing Waters, and Hidden Legends

Look at any old Greene County map, and you’ll find springs marked at nearly every crossroads and holler. For centuries, these natural springs were more than just reliable water—they were gathering places, sources of health and healing, and, in some cases, mysterious landmarks wrapped in legend. Time, drought, and progress have hidden many of these springs, but their stories still bubble up in the tales of old-timers and the very shape of our communities.

If you want to truly know Greene County, you have to dig beneath the surface—sometimes literally. Here’s the real story of the lost springs.
The Lifeblood of Early Greene County

In the days before indoor plumbing or drilled wells, springs decided where people lived, worked, and built their communities. Many of Greeneville’s oldest neighborhoods, including the city center, grew up around the Big Spring (still flowing today). But that’s just the most famous—dozens of other springs shaped farms, churches, and lost settlements.

Maple Spring: Once the main water source for a cluster of homes east of Greeneville. A few hand-laid stone walls and the bones of a pump house are all that’s left.

Buchanan’s Spring: Rumored to have healing properties, Buchanan’s was a popular spot for Sunday “taking of the waters” and neighborly gossip in the 1800s.

Yellow Springs: Out near Mohawk, known for its sulfur taste (and supposedly “stomach-soothing” powers). Old families still recall hauling jugs of water here on Saturday mornings.

Healing, Hope, and Local Legend

Not every spring just quenched a thirst—some became legendary for their supposed curative effects:

Rock Spring: In the early 1900s, Greene Countians swore by Rock Spring’s “iron-rich” water to cure everything from anemia to “the vapors.” Families from miles around would bring their sick for a taste, leaving pennies and dimes on the rock as thanks.

“Devil’s Spring” near Cedar Creek, got its name from a deep blue pool and a story of a farmer’s mule that vanished without a trace. Kids dared each other to drink from it at midnight.

Lost Spring of Irish Street: Buried under pavement when Greeneville expanded in the 1950s, but old folks still claim it ran clear and cold even during the worst droughts.

Why Springs Vanish (and Why They Matter)

Over time, many springs have faded from view—paved over, built upon, or simply drying up as water tables changed. Some disappeared under highways and parking lots; others still flow, hidden in woods or under blackberry thickets. Climate shifts, farming, and changing land use have all played a role.

But the influence of springs never really leaves. Every farm pond, shaded grove, or neighborhood named for a “spring” (like Maple Springs, Springvale, or Spring Street) remembers the past, even if the water no longer bubbles up.
How to Explore Greene County’s Lost Springs

Map Study: Old property plats, county maps, and oral histories hold clues to spring locations.

Ask Around: Local historians and longtime residents are often the best source—many can still point you to a hidden seep in the woods or the overgrown remains of a springhouse.

Respect Property: Most springs are now on private land; always get permission before exploring.

Bring a Jar: If you’re lucky enough to find an active spring, bring a cup and taste what generations before you depended on.

Real-World Spring Memories

Springhouses and Cheese Caves: Before refrigeration, springhouses kept milk and butter cool, and some families used small caves fed by spring water to age cheese and store preserves.

Spring Baptisms: Churches often held baptisms at the biggest, coldest springs—bracing, unforgettable, and a true community event.

Summer Picnics: Even when the water was just a trickle, folks gathered under the shade of old spring-fed sycamores for fried chicken, deviled eggs, and watermelon.

Simple Mountain Recipe: Spring Water Lemonade

When spring water runs cold and sweet, the best way to enjoy it is with a classic, ice-cold lemonade.

Spring Water Lemonade

1 quart fresh, cold spring water (or the best you can find)

Juice of 3–4 lemons

1/2 cup sugar (more or less to taste)

Crushed ice

Stir well, chill, and enjoy outside—preferably with a breeze, good company, and a story about the old days.
Why Lost Springs Still Matter

The springs of Greene County may fade from sight, but their legacy lives on—in the shape of our towns, the taste of our water, and the stories passed down over generations. To remember the springs is to honor the deep roots of place and people—because even if the water stops, the stories never do.

See Also:

Tennessee Springs & Waterways: https://www.tn.gov/environment/program-areas/wr-water-resources.html

Greene County Historical Society: https://www.greenecountyhistorymuseum.com/

Tennessee Place Names & Lost Communities: https://tennesseeencyclopedia.net/entries/greene-county/

Springhouse Foodways: https://www.southernfoodways.org/

Appalachian Water Legends: https://www.blueridgecountry.com/arts/the-legend-of-mountain-water/