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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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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