What’s the big deal about this old ugly tub? It was one of the original six copper-lined tubs from Marshall Springs, which eventually became Dexfield Park.

And, according to Indiana historian Cecil E. Charles, it was one of the first stationary bathtubs in Dexter. He wrote several about the Marshall family in The History of Dexter, Iowa, published for the 1968 Centennial, pages 7-13. Mr. Charles was fascinated by the families who moved to Dallas County, Iowa, from Wayne County, Indiana.

The bathtub belonged to Calvin Marshall, also known as Peet or Uncle Peet, who had sold his “good prairie farm near Dexter” [now where Dode Reynolds lives] and bought another on Middle Divide, a strip between the two south forks of Raccoon River.

“On his farm was a small seep spring. With the help of his boys Peet enlarged it, bringing in a good flow. There was only one drawback. The water, laden with some kind of mineral, had a peculiar taste.

“Those were days when mineral spring and health resorts were popular over the world. Europe had its Baden and Ems. This country had Saratoga and Hot Spring. In fact, just about every state but Iowa had a watering place, so Peet decided to exploit his discovery.

“It turned out to be exactly what the area needed. Marshall Springs became a mecca for jaded and arthritic suffer[er]s. Peet said the water was good for about everything. Folks from nearby towns and even from Des Moines drove out with cans and jugs to be filled.

“Peet and the boys built a bathhouse equipped with six copper-lined tubs. The boys fired the kettles on Sunday and lugged steaming pails to the guests soaking away their ills, while Peet busied himself with old and new friends on the croquet and horseshoe courts.

“The water may have had some virtue, at that. Peet outlived his brothers and most of the other pioneers. About 1900, after Aunt Cynthia died, the children moved the old gentleman to town. They took along one of the copper-lined tubs from the bathhouse. It was one of he first stationary bathtubs in Iowa.”

This was part of a series of articles Mr. Charles had written earlier for The Richmond, Indiana, Palladium-Item in 1965, which were also published in The Dexter Sentinel.

The Dexter Museum may still have a copy or two of History of Dexter, Iowa for sale. They also have a notebook about the Marshall Family, along with copies of the articles written by Cecil E. Charles.

I understand that the grand old tub is in an “annex” for the museum, where relics too large or awkward to display in the museum are stored.

Calvin “Peet” Marshall (1824-1910), his Findagrave page.

I’ve never located a photo of Calvin Marshall. Here’s an earlier story about the Marshalls of Dallas County, Iowa.