| Copyright 2007 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
Hot Springs, Arkansas
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www.exploresouthernhistory.com
Hot Springs National Park - A Natural Wonder
Preserving one of the most impressive natural wonders of
the South, Hot Springs National Park offers an amazing
array of natural and cultural history.
Established by the U.S. Government in 1832 to protect the
Hot Springs of the Quachita, the national park is the oldest
federal nature preserve in the nation. This distinction gives
credence to the claim by residents of Hot Springs that their
city is "America's First Resort."
Native Americans had frequented the waters for thousands
of years before the arrival of the first Europeans. There is
slight evidence, in the form of a partial manuscript, that the
survivors of the Hernando de Soto expedition visited the
springs. The springs also were visited by early French
explorers and traders. The recorded history of the park
really began in 1804, however, when President Thomas
Jefferson sent two scientists west to explore the Ouachita
Mountains and report on the springs, which were part of the
newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. They found an empty
cabin and some huts used by hunters at what is now Hot
Springs.
Word of the steaming water quickly spread, however, and
by 1820 streams of visitors were making their way to Hot
Springs to soak in crude bathing pools dug near the
springs. They believed, as some people still do today, that
the naturally heated water could cure a number of ailments.
During the Civil War, Union troops marched straight down
what is now Central Avenue on their way to fight in the Red
River Campaign.
Over time the rustic gave way to the extravagant and by the
late 1800s magnificent hotels and stylized bathhouses
began to dot the landscape of the beautiful valley at Hot
Springs. Jesse and Frank James were among those who
frequented the resort, which became known for gambling
and vice as well as its spas. During the 20th Century other
names also became linked with Hot Springs, names like Al
Capone, Frank Nash and Lucky Luciano. Capone stayed at
the historic Arlington Hotel, but reportedly never crossed the
street to the national park because the rangers there were
federal law enforcement officers.
Fires and floods struck the city several times during its
history, but each time Bathhouse Row was rebuilt, finally
taking on its present form. Governor Winthrop Rockefeller
shut down the illegal gambling for good in 1967 and in
1974 the eight surviving bathhouses were placed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Massive restoration efforts have since been undertaken
and today Hot Springs National Park is considered an
American treasure. The park service maintains a visitor
center in one of the restored bathhouses and one of the
others is still operates as a spa. Beautiful landscaping
surrounds Bathhouse Row.
The park also preserves thousands of acres of beautiful
Ouachita Mountain scenery, with scenic drives, overlooks,
picnic areas and hiking trails. The Hot Springs Tower, a
privately operated attraction inside the park, offers
spectacular views and interpretive displays on the history of
the area as well as the boyhood of President Bill Clinton,
who grew up in Hot Springs.
the South, Hot Springs National Park offers an amazing
array of natural and cultural history.
Established by the U.S. Government in 1832 to protect the
Hot Springs of the Quachita, the national park is the oldest
federal nature preserve in the nation. This distinction gives
credence to the claim by residents of Hot Springs that their
city is "America's First Resort."
Native Americans had frequented the waters for thousands
of years before the arrival of the first Europeans. There is
slight evidence, in the form of a partial manuscript, that the
survivors of the Hernando de Soto expedition visited the
springs. The springs also were visited by early French
explorers and traders. The recorded history of the park
really began in 1804, however, when President Thomas
Jefferson sent two scientists west to explore the Ouachita
Mountains and report on the springs, which were part of the
newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. They found an empty
cabin and some huts used by hunters at what is now Hot
Springs.
Word of the steaming water quickly spread, however, and
by 1820 streams of visitors were making their way to Hot
Springs to soak in crude bathing pools dug near the
springs. They believed, as some people still do today, that
the naturally heated water could cure a number of ailments.
During the Civil War, Union troops marched straight down
what is now Central Avenue on their way to fight in the Red
River Campaign.
Over time the rustic gave way to the extravagant and by the
late 1800s magnificent hotels and stylized bathhouses
began to dot the landscape of the beautiful valley at Hot
Springs. Jesse and Frank James were among those who
frequented the resort, which became known for gambling
and vice as well as its spas. During the 20th Century other
names also became linked with Hot Springs, names like Al
Capone, Frank Nash and Lucky Luciano. Capone stayed at
the historic Arlington Hotel, but reportedly never crossed the
street to the national park because the rangers there were
federal law enforcement officers.
Fires and floods struck the city several times during its
history, but each time Bathhouse Row was rebuilt, finally
taking on its present form. Governor Winthrop Rockefeller
shut down the illegal gambling for good in 1967 and in
1974 the eight surviving bathhouses were placed on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Massive restoration efforts have since been undertaken
and today Hot Springs National Park is considered an
American treasure. The park service maintains a visitor
center in one of the restored bathhouses and one of the
others is still operates as a spa. Beautiful landscaping
surrounds Bathhouse Row.
The park also preserves thousands of acres of beautiful
Ouachita Mountain scenery, with scenic drives, overlooks,
picnic areas and hiking trails. The Hot Springs Tower, a
privately operated attraction inside the park, offers
spectacular views and interpretive displays on the history of
the area as well as the boyhood of President Bill Clinton,
who grew up in Hot Springs.
| Steam Rises from a Natural Cascade Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs, Arkansas |
| Historic Bathhouse Row Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs, Arkansas |
| View from Hot Springs Tower Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs, Arkansas |
| The Ouachita Mountains Hot Springs National Park Hot Springs, Arkansas |