Hot Springs, Arkansas

Hot Springs, Arkansas
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hot_Springs,_Arkansas_aerial_view.jpg
Author: Fetchcomms


Hot Springs is a small city in Arkansas. It is the county seat of Garland County and the main urban area for the Hot Springs Metropolitan Area. Hot Springs cover 33 sq mi (85.5 sq km) and has a population of around 40,000 (2011 estimate).

As would be expected, Hot Springs was named after the natural hot springs found in the area. The hot springs area was made the Hot Springs National Park, and stands as the oldest federal reserve in the United States. The national park was also the first site to be commemorated in the America the Beautiful Quarter, a series of commemorative coins produced by the United States mint beginning in 2010, and expected to run until 2021.

Japanese Garden, Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Garvan_Woodland_Gardens%27_Japanese_Garden.jpg
Author: Tim Lee


The therapeutic properties of the hot springs have been recognized by Native American tribes since ancient times. The first European to sight it were two Frenchmen, priest Father Marquette and explorer Louis Jolliet, in 1673. The area was claimed by France, ceded to Spain in 1763, returned to French rule in 1800, and bought by the United States under the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Hot Springs was devastated by the American Civil War. During that turbulent time, its residents fled to Texas or Louisiana, remaining there until the war was over. In their absence, the town was overran by bandits who pillaged the town and its properties.

Hot Springs Museum
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hot_Springs_053.jpg
Author: Wolfgang Beckers


Hot Springs began rebuilding itself soon after the war. It was not able to shake off gansterism, however, and by the 20th century, the town became a den for illegal gambling activities controlled by rival gangs. During the 1930's the mayor of Hot Springs held on to power through illegal means, via intimidation and vote buying. Eventually gambling was eradicated from Hot Springs in the late 1960's.

Today the city of Hot Springs cashes in on its natural thermal waters, attracting visitors with its spas and even a museum documenting the healing properties of hot springs.

Visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas

From Little Rock, take Interstate 30 heading southwest until Exit 111, then continue on US Highway 70 heading west until you arrive at Hot Springs.

Places of Interest in Hot Springs, Arkansas

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About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.