Established in early 1800's and known for 47 hot springs (143 degrees) believed for centuries to possess medicinal properties, this town of 30,000 is a mix of preserved historical buildings and the decay of vacant buildings showing the once popular spa town has past its prime.
In 1851, the city became home to many Major League Baseball spring training camps and was a popular stomping ground for gangsters like Al Capone because of easy access to illegal gambling, speakeasies, healing waters and horse racing.
Bath Houses- Eight very ornate bath houses have been preserved. The Fordyce bathhouse is now maintained by the national park service. Amazing view of a spa experience in the late 1800's. Stained glass sky light made from 8,000 pieces of glass, steam cabinets, mineral bath tubs and massage equipment that looks a little spooky.
The Army-Navy Hospital - Built in 1933 and this place is huge! The Army and Navy General Hospital was also supplied with water from the hot springs in Hot Springs National Park. It was administered by the War Department for the benefit of military members and honorably discharged veterans, who suffered from such diseases believed to be benefited by healing waters.
Public fountains- About five tank filling stations are located in the national park. We saw lines and lines of people filling up containers of the hot springs water. I stopped to talk to one guy and he said the water will help you live to 100. I thought that I should go buy a container or two! We did taste the water and it was really good tasting.
Abandoned buildings - They are everywhere! Some revitalization going on but almost every building along the historic district has a shop on the bottom and vacant floors above.
View from the top - The mountain tower gives you a wonderful view of the Quachita Mountains.
The Arlington Hotel: First built in 1875, then knocked down 20 years later and rebuilt and then destroyed by fire - this is the third construction. Popular resting place during prohibition due to escape tunnels that lead to the hotel from the speakeasies.
Garvan Gardens: The University of Arkansas botanical garden project. Neat area that also houses Anthony Chapel. Made in partnership with Fay Jones, Maurice Jennings of Fayetteville designed this 3.8 million dollar chapel. Really cool. But 3.8 million? I didn't think so! They also had a christmas light show that was very nicely done.
Mark and I came here on our pseudo honeymoon a little over 36 years ago. We really didn't have one and don't recall going to anyplace other than the race track. So it was really fun to actually experience Hot Springs. A little gem in the Natural State.
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