Hot Springs, Arkansas

As we drove west from Memphis, across the wide Mississippi river, I was struck by the vastness of the United States, the waterways and wide-open spaces.  Things are not like that in Columbus and Gahanna.  They are half-vast at best.  :)

Next stop: Hot Springs Arkansas, home of a National Park and boyhood home of Bill Clinton.  The area got its fame because of springs of water, both hot and cold.  For thousands of years Indians and explorers knew about the springs.  In the early 1800's people started commercializing the health benefits of soaking in and drinking the hot water.  Many large bath houses were built and the town boomed.  This continued into the 20th century, with the peak year of visitors as late as 1946.  But times changed, people began to believe less in the healing powers of the waters and visitors fell off.  The bath houses fell into ruin but were restored and now there is a fair amount of tourist activity.

Here are some views of the stately bath houses.

The springs continue to bubble up throughout the area.  Visitors are encouraged to drink it and fill water bottles.

Behind the bath houses is a wide walkway that visitors were encouraged to take in the 1880s and today as well.  This gives a quiet break from the activities on the street.

Seeing the conditions of the bath houses is somewhat comical.  The various tubs and showers and "electroshock therapy" look like they date to the 1880s but the building was finished in 1915 and so we assume it was state of the art.  When things look so dated it made us wonder how things from today will
look in 100 years.  I guess all our iPhones will look like antiques.

We had a great lunch in a bath house that has been converted to a brewery.  Good stuff!

Throughout its history, Hot Springs has attracted both high society and the "darker" side.  Known mobsters would come to Hot Springs and take the benefits of the baths.  One of the main speakeasy/gambling establishments was the Ohio Club.  It's a restaurant today.

Matthew was able to get the National Park's Junior Ranger badge.

There was much more to see, but after about four hours we left Hot Springs and drove to Little Rock, the state capital.

Matthew's Notes: When in Rome, Do as the Romans

• The hot spring water is hot Hot HOT!
• Superior Bathhouse gelato is surperior!
•  Yes, the green stuff in the water fountains is algae, the water is not that bad though
• Seeing the bathhouses on bathhouse row is really fun.
• The video's not so bad, yes I said it! Me! National park video! Not bad!