Hot Springs, America's First National Park

Since the time of the Louisiana Purchase, Americans far and wide have traveled to the area that makes up Hot Springs for baths in the hot springs in an effort to cure them of any ailing disease that they may have had.

In 1832, Congress declared the area Hot Springs Reservation, making it the oldest AND smallest national park in the United States. It is also the only national park surrounded by a city,

In the late 1800s and early 1900s the hot springs area became a mecca for those that had ailments as well as the rich who just wanted a place to hang out with those like them who just wanted some luxury. Hot Springs was the place to be.

At the height of the Hot Springs era in the 1910s there were over 100 different areas that offered services using the hot springs. Hot Springs also became an area popular in the 20s as a place for gangsters at the time to visit when the heat was on them in other parts of the country. The most known is Al Capone, who built a mansion on a hill outside the town. The mansion is there, though traveling on Highway 7, the only way you know it's there is the 3 foot high stone fence surrounding the property. One of the bars that he frequented, the Ohio Club, is still open and operating today. There are bullet holes in the ceiling where late night poker games got out of control.

Over the years as better medicine became available the hot springs became less visited. By the 1960s there were only a handful of bath houses still in operation and by the 80s only one, the Buckstaff (still in operation today) was still in operation. Bath house row where the main bath houses still stand became an eye sore in the late 80s and Congress finally acted to restore Bath house row. As of today, the seven bath houses have either been renovated or being renovated. The Lamar, Superior, and Maurice bath houses are currently being renovated, but they are not guaranteed to reopen as bathhouses (which would be a shame). The Fordyce was completely remodeled to resemble what it looked like in its heyday and visitors can walk through free of charge to get a taste of the history of the area. The Ozark was gutted and turned in the Museum of Contemporary Art (or MOCA, but don't call it MOCA in front of the intendent, he apparently doesn't care for the short form, as I found out). I hope that one day they will do some more work on the Ozark to make it a little more presentable.

The Buckstaff, which has been in operation since the early 20s offers full hot spring services (including what is called a needle shower) for decent prices). The Quapaw reopened as a pricey spa, with the cheapest prices being about $115.

Several hotels (the Arlington and Springs) also offer services using the springs.

The old Navy-Army Hospital, which is huge and beautiful, is now the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.

The only eye sore in the historic area is the old Majestic, which was a sister hotel of the Arlington, has closed down and is in serious disrepair. While down there on my honeymoon we were told that it had been sold and the new owners were planning on turning them into apartments. If they actually end up doing that I hope the new owners have the foresight to keep the history of the Majestic in the forefront.

Slowly, but surely, the Hot Springs National Park, is being restored to its historic beauty.

Hot Springs, the city, has a lot to offer to families that want to visit. The history is absolutely rich. Through our honeymoon we walked the Row for three days and still didn't see all the history it has to offer. There are fountains that are fed by hot springs. You can fill jugs with hot springs water.

Worth the money and time to visit this beautiful area, smack dab in the middle of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas