The 1,000-acre watershed surrounding the unique quartzite aquifer that supplies Blue Springs was purchased by Cason and Virginia Callaway around 1930. The previous New York state owner had not been able to realize his dream of supplying the city of Columbus with water from this spring and another nearby.
In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt commissioned studies of native springs in the area including Warm Springs and Blue Springs. This report includes the description of the 100-mile long vein of quartzite rock that encloses Blue Springs, originating near Hollis Crossroads, Alabama.
The flow rate of Blue Springs at that time was measured at approximately 350 gallons per minute. Since then, it has been measured as high as 500 gallons per minute.
President Roosevelt visited Blue Springs several times and this beautiful place has hosted other dignitaries, both political and horticultural, since that time. The area surrounding the spring is home to several varieties of native azaleas as well as abundant mature Mountain Laurel, Rhododendron, ferns of many species, and mature timber such as sycamore, white oak, poplar and longleaf pine. The secluded area is now protected by the Cason Callaway, Jr. family, who are committed to maintaining the pristine nature of the spring's environment.