Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Friday, July 21, 2017

Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs, AR

Today was a short travel day, as we stopped in Hot Springs to tour the National Park and the bathhouses. I admit to not knowing any of the history of the town and the federal involvement from the very beginning. I found the way this city developed to be rather unique.  A long version can be read here.  The short version is that the Federal Government got involved early to protect the springs by claiming the area and created the  Hot Springs Reservation in 1832.  It remains under federal control today as a National Park.

We toured the Visitor Center, which was the Fordyce bathhouse and is in the middle of bathhouse row.  There are 23 restored rooms as they would have been during the heyday period. It was a very interesting tour. 
































There is at least one bathhouse that still provides spa services.  Others are now used for different purposes.

If you are not interested in having a spa day or more, the city is filled with the usual tourist stuff. If that does not appeal to you, it will take less than a day to see the sights,







We stopped for the night at Lake Chicot State Park, near Lake Village, AR.  The lake is the largest Oxbow lake in North America.  We had a full hookup site on the water.  The park is very quiet as the season ends on July 4th, as it is too hot this time of year.  I understand that, on our arrival the temperature was 97.






6 comments:

Wanderin' said...

Wow! I didn't know a thing about the bath houses. It's very interesting for sure. I'd love to visit that area.

Happytrails said...

What an interesting blog!!! I never knew about this so thanks for the history lesson!! It's definitely on our "to see" list.
Your site is awesome!!!

Sherry said...

We visited hot springs and thought the visitor center was one of the best ever. Your pictures capture all there is there perfectly. It’s an amazing education. I knew nothing about fancy hot spring spas but now I wish I’d just forked out the money for a once in a life time spa day. But who is your new beau? Does Chuck know about him? 97 degrees – whew – OH MY! Your sunsets on the lake are beautiful. Interesting that the park closes on July 4th. Maybe that’s what all parks in the south should do.

Nickie and Jim said...

Very cool post, especially for someone who's never been to the Hot Springs and barely knows a thing about it. A good place to stop, perhaps in fall, when 97 is reversed to 79, eh?

Erin said...

You hit the jackpot with the view. Hot Springs looks like a very interesting place ... and that NPS VC is unique. Love the stained glass ceiling.

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

What? No pictures of you soaking in a hot tub? Missed opportunity... :c)