It was believed for hundreds of years that the natural thermal waters could cure any number of ailments, including arthritis and polio. The area attracted more visitors and developed into a well-known resort nicknamed “The American Spa” because it attracted not only the wealthy but also health seekers from around the world. Over the years, Hot Springs became famous for its therapeutic benefits. Today, the creek continues to flow under Central Avenue. In the late 1800s, the creek was put into a channel and roofed over. The park includes famous Bathhouse Row, which consists of eight unique, turn-of-the-century bathhouses in the heart of downtown.įor years, the springs flowed into Hot Springs Creek, which ran through the middle of the resort town. In 1921, Congress changed the name of Hot Springs Reservation to Hot Springs National Park, which now encompasses 5,500 acres. This makes Hot Springs the oldest park in the National Park System - 40 years older than Yellowstone. Congress established the Hot Springs Reservation on Apto protect the hot springs area. In 1820, the Arkansas Territorial Legislature requested the springs and the adjoining mountains be deemed a federal reservation. In 1807, a man named Prudhomme became the first settler of modern Hot Springs, and John Perciful and Isaac Cates soon joined him. ![]() The explorers found a log cabin and a few rudimentary shelters used by people visiting the springs, but no permanent dwellers. In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned an expedition to explore the area. Possession seesawed between France and Spain until 1803, when the United States acquired it as part of the Louisiana Purchase. As far as it's known, de Soto was the last European visitor for more than 100 years, until French explorers Marquette and Joliet arrived in 1673 to claim the area for France. Guided by Native Americans, he and his troops arrived in September 1541 to partake in the thermal springs. Oddly enough, this area became “neutral ground” again in the 1930s when mobsters from Chicago, New York and Los Angeles came to fraternize together and get away from it all. The Native Americans called the area “the valley of the vapors,” where tribes could put aside their differences and enjoy the rejuvenation of the springs. ![]() While no one knows when the first humans came to what is now Hot Springs, experts believe Native Americans - including the Tunica, Caddo, Quapaw, Choctaw, Cherokee and other groups - were using the springs as a peaceful gathering spot as many as 10,000 years ago. It percolated 6,000-8,000 feet into the earth where it became superheated by surrounding rock before rising and emerging at 147✯ from the area’s 47 hot springs. The hot spring water comes from rainwater that fell more than 4,000 years ago. Our regulations only allow one person per tub.Visitors can’t help but feel the thousands of years of history surrounding them in Hot Springs - history that continues to bubble up every minute. ![]() Small children receive the same therapy as adults and must be able to go through the process alone. Persons wishing to take the baths and massages must be capable of being left alone in a private tub and through out the bathing process. Persons with active heart conditions, high blood pressure, open sores, recent surgery (within 6 weeks) or with advice of your personal physician are advised against bathing. ![]() Some age and health restrictions may apply. Located on Bathhouse Row, Buckstaff provides a traditional hydro therapy program as developed by local physicians for the relief of arthritic type conditions, stress and just plain relaxation, allowing for maximum benefit from the natural waters at a level safe for most visitors. The Buckstaff Bathhouse in Hot Springs, Arkansas has been in continuous operation since 1912 still today offers you the opportunity to experience a traditional type therapy that has helped make Hot Springs world-renowned.
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