Way long ago, explorer Ferdinand de Soto searched for the Fountain of Youth and it is said that he found it here, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  Then it was claimed by the French, and bought by the US in the Louisiana Purchase.  Soon, explorers were sent out to explore the newly bought territory and the 140 degree springs were tagged as a hot spot.

Here, 47 springs bring up water, heated by the Earth, that originally seeped down through fissures, many, many years ago.  In 1832, the United States made Hot Springs a federal reservation putting the thermal waters under federal protection, and was made a National Park in 1921.

Now, you can drive up to a federal fountain and fill as many bottles as you want with the healing waters.  Or, you might want to bring your travel mug and tea bag for the perfect cup of tea, the water comes out of the fountains at 140 degrees  (see the steam).

A water composition report is posted for you.  We were told at a fountain that the waters are a perfect therapy for arthritis, both taken internally and externally.

A number of wooden bath houses sprung up in the 20’s and Hot Springs was a real wild west town.  Several fires did away with those and eventually Hot Springs progressed to architecturally ornate bath houses along the main street, Central Avenue, creating what is now known as Bathhouse Row.  The Arlington Hotel can be seen in the background here. 

Also known as “Spa City”, this area soon became the place to come to relax and improve one’s health.  Prior to modern medicine, doctors prescribed a list of things for ailments ranging from arthritis to polio.  Behind Bathhouse Row is a series of walking trails called the “Grand Promenade” for exercise and relaxation.

Something else the waters were perfect for was for breweries and distilleries.  Al Capone ran the spirits that were brewed with this water all throughout the country during prohibition.  Even though gambling was illegal in the state of Arkansas, gambling took place in the hotels and night clubs of Hot Springs due to the fact that Mayor Leo McLaughlin enlisted the help of the English Godfather, Owney Madden to bring people to Hot Springs by making it a gambling mecca.

Indeed it did and Hot Springs was where several crime families and individuals came to relax and party.  They may have been killing eachother in other cities, but when they came to Hot Springs, they all got along, until they went back home again and resumed shooting at eachother.  Gambling was finally closed down in Hot Springs in 1967 and it moved to Las Vegas.

We found Hot Springs to be a wonderful place to experience.  The bathhouses are still running and you can go have a spa day, tour the city, hike the trails and commune with the mountains.  There are some great places to enjoy food, poetry and music.