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They
Called It Magic It sits on the southern end of Blue Lakes Blvd. The very end...even after you pass Nat-Soo-Paw, and the road turns to gravel...about 42 miles south of Twin Falls. It used to be the place to go to cure your aches and pains or what ever ailed you. It was, and is, called Magic Hot Springs. "It was what people did in the 20s, 30s, and 40s," said John Brannen, former caretaker and owner, and he, "loved it." Brannen was the caretaker while Pete Link owned the resort, and then Brannen bought it to try to restore it to its former glory, but it just wasn't what folks wanted to do in the 70s and 80s. People have gotten soft, not like folks back then; they didn't mind traveling on dirt roads, heck, they were even disappointed if they didn't get stuck, have a flat, or have to meander through a band of sheep or herd of cattle. The trip to Magic was a long hard one. At one time Magic boasted twenty cabins, a small hotel, a cafe and store. People came from everywhere for the magical, healing waters. The Hot Springs has gone through many owners over this century. Earlier it was an Indian camp grounds, evidenced by the many artifacts that have been found in the area over the years by former owners and guests. John and Bessie Kuest, who owned the resort for 14 years in its waning days during the 60s, said most of their guests were older people who would come to soothe their aches and pains. John Kuest said, "an awful lot of people would swear by it." Pete Link, one of the former owners and a long time Hansen resident, has been going to Magic since he was a child. He said when he went there as a child it was owned by George and Blanch Lillibridge. Link said the Lillibridges were very spiritual and allowed no alcohol. They meant it as a health spa. Link fell in love with it as a child; he said, "they made that thing blossom." Link said during the 30s a lot of people didn't have jobs but they managed to find enough money to come to Magic for a few days in the summer. Shoshone Creek meanders through Magic and Link said fishing was great with, "tremendous rainbow trout." He said the hunting was great. Kuest said he also strongly discouraged alcohol. He said, "hot water and liquor just don't mix." In an area and an era where bootlegging and moonshining were the popular things to do, Magic was a haven that was for the most part free from alcohol. It was a place to heal your body and your spirit. Brannen and
his wife Vicki were married at Magic in 1980. They said that as far as
they know they are the only couple to be married there. Brannen said,
"it truly was a
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