In 1881, the Hayden Hill correspondent to Bieber’s Mountain Tribune wrote: “I think it quite time to write up the early history of Wood Flat and how it came to be thus named. As the unpretentious Wood Flat locality is growing in value of late by becoming a pleasure resort for promenades and picnics. Many there be who would not heard or read
about the Flat, not yet minutely mapped out and sent abroad to induce tourists to come hither. I will briefly relate what I know about it.
A year ago the first cabin was built on the Flat and the owner
thereof makes his living cutting wood; and at the present time he has twenty cords cut, and more engaged. His wife one day said to him, ‘We will name this place Wood Flat.’ It is less than a mile from town, and has the best spring water on the Hill. Some have called it Blue Spring, because of a bluish colored clay found there; and the water, when in the spring, has a light, clear blue caste. But the last and not least name that is been dubbed lately is Mud Springs Flat. I cannot see where the mud comes in, unless someone riles the fountain.”