Edna Jackson Carver
Edna Jackson Carver | |
|---|---|
 Edna Jackson Carver, from a 1915 publication. | |
| Born | Edna Jackson 1868 Salina, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | June 20, 1954 (aged 85–86) Steamboat, Nevada, U.S. |
| Occupation | Physician |
| Known for | Owner of Steamboat Hot Springs Spa |
Edna Jackson Carver (1868 – June 20, 1954) was an American physician, operator of a health spa at Steamboat Hot Springs, near Reno, Nevada, from 1919 to 1954.
Early life
[edit]Edna Jackson was born in Salina, Kansas and raised in Sheridan, Wyoming Territory, the daughter of William Edward Jackson. She graduated from the Colorado College of Osteopathy in 1905.[1] She was a charter member of the Sheridan chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.[2]
Career
[edit]Carver had an osteopathic practice in Denver, and invested in land there. She also practiced in New York City for six years.[1] In 1913, she spoke at the International Congress of Farm Women in Tulsa, on the subject "Keeping the Right Mental Attitude", telling her audience, "It is a great thing to earn a living, but it is a greater thing to live a life."[3] She was the physician and head chaperone on a film company's publicity train trip in 1915, called the "American Beauty Special"; it ran from Chicago to Los Angeles, filled with beauty contest winners hoping for a screen test in Hollywood.[4][5]
Carver became the owner of Steamboat Hot Springs in 1918. She rebuilt the lodgings and bathing facilities, and opened it as a health spa in 1919.[6] She drilled deep wells to access additional springs, and welcomed athletes and racehorses for rehabilitation.[7] In the 1940s, after several fires damaged buildings on the campus of the facility,[8] she worked with architect Paul Revere Williams on a plan for the expansion and modernization of the resort, but that vision was never realized.[9]
Away from Steamboat Springs, Carver was a frequent speaker and leader at the Unity Center church in Reno.[10] She also took an active interest in education, and served as president of the Reno school board in the 1930s.[11] In 1933 she attended a national social science convention in Detroit.[12] In 1934 she spoke about polio at a parent-teacher meeting in Sparks.[13] In 1936, she helped to treat injured fellow passengers when their train encountered an avalanche.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Edna Jackson married English-born Edward Towne; they had a son, Dural Edward Towne (1899-1960).[15] She lived for many years with Blanch Foltz, who died in 1953.[16] Edna Carver died in 1954, in Steamboat Springs,[1] and left the springs property to her son.[17][18] Her daughter-in-law Dorothy A. Towne, a nurse, ran the spa from 1962 until 1986, when she donated it to a local church.[19] The Steamboat Hot Springs are still open, as "the longest standing therapeutic hot springs in the state of Nevada."[20]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Dr. Edna Carver Taken by Death". Nevada State Journal. 1954-06-22. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chapter Honors Charter Members". The Billings Gazette. 1954-03-06. p. 14. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Agriculture, Missouri State Board of (1914). Annual Report. pp. 459, 572.
- ^ "An American Beauty Special" Santa Fe Magazine (June 1915): 68.
- ^ "Beauties Splash Placid Waters of San Diego Bay". The Los Angeles Times. 1915-06-17. p. 26. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Trego, Robert (1950-04-09). "Steamboat Springs as it is Today is the Work of Dr. Edna Carver". Nevada State Journal. p. 7. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dr. Edna Carver Rites Planned Here Thursday". Reno Gazette-Journal. 1954-06-22. p. 11. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Earl, Phillip I. (1997-02-25). "Early Bath Houses at Steamboat Springs". Elko Daily Free Press. p. 20. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Steamboat Hot Springs - Nevada". Paul Revere Williams, American Architect. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
- ^ "Churches". Reno Gazette-Journal. 1933-09-02. p. 6. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Brown's School Exercises Held". Reno Gazette-Journal. 1936-06-08. p. 8. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dr. Carver to Talk at Unity Center". Nevada State Journal. 1933-07-29. p. 12. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Physician Speaks at P. T. A. Meeting". Reno Gazette-Journal. 1934-05-29. p. 10. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Thirteen Injured in Avalanche at Donner Summit". Reno Gazette-Journal. 1936-01-16. p. 1. Retrieved 2020-06-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dr. Edna Carver Estate Valued At $198,284.62". Nevada State Journal. 1954-07-30. p. 9. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Blanche Foltz Rites Scheduled". Reno Gazette-Journal. 1953-12-22. p. 11. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Oregonians Own Steamboat Springs". Nevada State Journal. 1954-07-10. p. 14. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Edna J. Carver Estate on File". Reno Gazette-Journal. 1954-07-08. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-06-16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Dorothy A. Towne". Reno Gazette-Journal. 2003-03-02. p. 26. Retrieved 2020-06-15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Steamboat Hot Springs Healing Center & Spa". Travel Nevada. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
