W.A. Houston was 49 years old in 1931. He had built a general store and was prosperous, well-known and respected in New Market. However, he fell seriously ill, and a doctor gave him a grim diagnosis: He had severe kidney stones, and likely would not live long. W.A. called his sons, William B. (known by his middle name, Basier), and Sam to his bedside, and explained that they would soon have to take on the store and other family affairs.

One night soon after, W.A. fell asleep and had a dream. In it, W.A. said, he had a vision, in which “a voice” directed him to dig a well at a precise spot on his property, to an exact depth of 252 feet. The voice said to drink the water he found there. “You will be healed,” it said.

W.A. got up early the next day, walked to the spot the voice indicated and stuck a stick in the ground. He hired a crew to dig a well there, to the exact depth of 252 feet. The crew hit water — twice — on the way down, but W.A. directed them to cap off the pipe and continue drilling until they hit the depth the voice had specified.

At 252 feet below ground, the crew hit water a third time. The water they sampled there, all agreed, was sweet-tasting and exceptionally clear. W.A. began drinking the water regularly. He soon recovered from his illness and returned to work. He went back to the doctor, who could find no trace of his previous illness.

W.A. believed the voice had delivered on a promise. He would go on to establish the business that is still in operation today. We do not know what, if any, benefit Houston’s Mineral Water has for people who suffer from kidney disorders, or for that matter, any health issues. However, from our testing, we do know that Houston’s Mineral Water contains a number of beneficial minerals (calcium, magnesium, silica, zinc, iron, potassium), despite its “pleasant” taste. (W.A.’s original slogan: “The Most Pleasant Taste.”) The water also contains natural fluoride. Bill, who has drunk it his entire life, has never had a cavity. 

W.A. Houston lived until he was 71, when he was severely injured in an accident while clearing stumps on his property. His son, Samuel (named for his famous great-great uncle Sam Houston, who became governor of both Tennessee and Texas) operated the well from 1953-1973.

W.A.’s older son, William Basier Houston, and Dorothy Pugsley Houston married after coming home from service in World War II, and had a son, Bill Houston. 

In 1973, W.A.’s grandson, Bill Houston, took over the operation of the well, modernizing the business and establishing the self-service honor system. Aside from maintaining the well, Bill Houston also worked as art professor at Carson-Newman University from 1974-2014. 

We welcome all to the well. Drinks from the water fountain are free. Please bring your own clean containers to take water home. Deposit 50 cents/gallon in the money box. We hope you enjoy your visit.