Ponce De Leon Sulfur Spring, Meadville, PA

## Overview Ponce De Leon Sulfur Spring is a historic sulfur spring located along Springs Road in Meadville, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Long celebrated for its reputed healing properties, this spring once supplied water to a large bottling operation that shipped Ponce De Leon brand sulfur water across the country. The spring's name evokes the legendary Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León and his fabled search for the Fountain of Youth — a fitting tribute given the spring's long association with health and wellness. The water has historically been regarded as high-quality sulfur spring water, and the site was significant enough to warrant a dedicated springhouse, which still stands as a reminder of the spring's commercial and cultural past. Visitors have reported that the water has a characteristic sulfur taste and smell, typical of mineral springs in the region. As with any natural spring, water quality can vary over time, and the spring's output has historically been valued for its mineral content rather than tested to modern municipal standards. For history buffs and bottle collectors, the surrounding area holds a special draw: old Ponce De Leon glass bottles from the bottling era have reportedly been found along the stream bank below the spring. Locals may be able to point out the best spots to look. ## Directions The spring is located at **10882 Springs Road, Meadville, PA 16335**. 1. From downtown Meadville, head toward Springs Road (consult GPS coordinates **41.617668, -80.116631** for precise navigation). 2. Follow Springs Road until you reach the springhouse area near the listed address. 3. The spring and its historic springhouse are accessible from the road. Look for the structure set along the hillside. 4. To explore the stream bank for old Ponce De Leon glass bottles, take the path downhill from the springhouse toward the stream below. *Note: Specific turn-by-turn directions from major highways were not provided in the original listing. Using GPS coordinates is recommended for the most reliable route.* ## What to Expect Ponce De Leon Sulfur Spring is open **24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round**. The site features a historic springhouse that shelters the source. The surrounding landscape is rural and wooded, with a hillside leading down to a stream below the spring. The sulfur water flows from the spring and carries the distinctive mineral aroma common to sulfur springs throughout western Pennsylvania. The spring has been historically used as a drinking water source and was once commercially bottled, though visitors should be aware that no current water quality testing data is publicly available. Bottle hunters and local history enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the stream bank below the springhouse, where intact Ponce De Leon glass bottles from the old bottling operation have been discovered over the years. Asking nearby residents for tips on where to look can be rewarding — locals tend to be familiar with the spring's history. The area is accessible in all seasons, though the hillside path to the stream may be slippery in wet or winter conditions. Wear sturdy footwear if you plan to explore beyond the springhouse. For additional historical context and photos of the springhouse, the [Waymarking page for Ponce de Leon Springhouse](http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM4MJC_Ponce_de_Leon_Springhouse_Meadville_PA_USA) offers a useful reference.