Cooperative Living May 2023 - 9

FIELD TRIP
In 1991, the state turned the facility over to Monroe
County to use for a drug rehabilitation center - but the
plans never came to fruition. Then, after 1996, the former
resort was sold several times into private hands.
The property languished until 2005 when the resort was
purchased at an auction by a local investor, Ashby Berkley,
for $560,000.
" I'm an old man and I was
retired, but I'd heard a rumor
that it was going up for auction
for the fourth time, " says
Berkley. He'd also heard a rumor
- albeit unsubstantiated, he
says - that there were plans to
raze the property to create a " motor home court. "
" I thought, my gosh, the United States can't lose this place.
So here I am - gray-headed and humpbacked - trying to
save it, " he says, with a laugh. " We're making great progress,
though. "
Berkley donated the buildings to create Sweet Springs
Resort Park Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, for the
public. He calls the property an " architectural jewel " and
says it is an important part of the development of the U.S.
" Sweet Springs was one of the reasons they started building
roadways, called 'interstates' at the time, for stage coaches -
and some of those roads we still use today, " DuPre points out.
Having directed major restorations of the Pence Springs
Hotel & Mineral Springs Historic District and the Jamestown
period Riverside Inn, in addition to numerous commercial
and private residences, Berkley knows what he's doing.
" Every day, we find out something new, " he explains.
" The history here is so rich; it's as thick as molasses. Who
could turn their back on that? "
Not Berkley - or the six volunteers, including DuPre -
who are working on behalf of the Sweet Springs Resort Park
Foundation to revive the historic resort and keep its history
alive.
Berkley shares story after story of people who have visited
the property and given he and his team more insight. " One
man came in here and held up a silver cup. He said his greatgrandfather
had won it at the golf tournament here at Sweet
Springs on what was known, at the time, as the finest golf
course in the south, " he says.
FUTURE PLANS
The Foundation's plans for the property are expansive.
Says DuPre, " Our intent is to open part of the old original
building as a Colonial-style country inn, and then we want to
turn part of it into extended-stay rooms and part of it into a
business plaza. Then, in the smaller rooms downstairs, we want
to open them to the public - local artisans, etc. - so we can
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May 2023 ● Cooperative Living ●
7
encourage business, 250-plus jobs, in a rural area where youth
are leaving every day due to lack of career opportunities. "
She goes on to describe plans to teach historic restoration
" Every day, we find out
something new. The
history here is so rich;
it's as thick as molasses. "
- Ashby Berkley
to the public, install three driving ranges where golf lessons
can be taught, have a professional mountain biker design a
mountain bike trail and teach courses in mountain biking,
create areas for camping available to
FFA, church and 4-H groups, as well
as create opportunities to work with
disadvantaged youth.
" We have big plans, " she says,
with a laugh. And big plans require
big money.
To make those plans a reality,
the Foundation needs the public's help. " Our ultimate goal
is $15 million, " DuPre says. " But any donations we receive,
from individuals or businesses, mean so much to us, and
help us get one step closer to bringing this place back to life.
Anything over $100 is a tax-exempt contribution because
we're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Please help us keep this historical
gem alive. " 
For more, visit sweetspringsresortpark.org.
http://www.sweetspringsresortpark.org http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living May 2023

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