Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas is just an hour from the Capital City of Little Rock, but it’s light years away. Native American Indians were here first, but by the 1830s, western migration had brought settlers and attendant out of control development of healing hot spring hotels.
The Federal Government, cognizant of the propensity for despoliation, sought to preserve the area’s unique natural allures through an act of congress in 1832 with a formal designation as the Hot Springs Reservation recreation area.
By the 1880s professional baseball leagues from around America started coming to Hot Springs, creating the country’s first Spring Training destination, long before the popularity of Florida and Arizona training camps. Spring baseball training continued on Hot Springs right up through the mid-1940s. Hot Springs was designated a National Park in 192.
But that didn’t stop mobsters such as Al Capone and bank robbers such as Bonnie & Clyde, and the Barker Gang from coming to town to savor the thermal healing spa resorts, and the gambling joints and the brothels just across the street from the National Park’s border. Hot Springs is also Bill Clinton’s hometown, and he frequently returns for visits. Join Correspondent, Tom Wilmer at Hot Springs National Park for a conversation with, Park Ranger, Miguel Marquez.
NPS Ranger points out the panoramic view from the mountain top at Hot Springs National Park. Photo Credit; Tom WilmerNational park Ranger Miguel marquez on duty at Hot Springs National Park , Arkansas. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer<img class="size-large wp-image-4456" src="http://www.thomascwilmer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_3409-683×1024.jpg" alt="Towering tree in Hot Springs National Park" width="683" height="1024" srcset="https://thomaswilmer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_3409-683×1024.jpg 683w, https://thomaswilmer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_3409-200×300.jpg 200w, http://thomascwilmer vente en ligne viagra fr.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/IMG_3409.jpg 720w” sizes=”(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px” />A forest of trees is inches away from downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas, Photo Credit: Tom WilmerObservation Tower at Hot Springs National Park. Photo Credit:Tom WilmerHikes from easy to challenging are available at Hot Springs National Park, Photo Credit: Tom WilmerPanormac overlook serveys historic downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas. Photo Credit: Tom WilmerHot Springs mountain top vista. Photo Credit; Tom WilmerView from observation tower at Hot Springs National Park. Photo Credit; Tom WilmerOne of the restored, historic bathhouses lining main street. Photo Credit: Tom WilmerWithin the bathhouses are elegant stained glass ceilings and walls to add a touch of elegance, Photo Credit: Tom WilmerStain glass on the walls of the bathhouses in Hot Springs Arkansas. Photo Credit Tom WilmerView down bathhouse row with the iconic Arlington Hotel at the end of the line. The Arlington remains as Arkansas’s largest hotel even though it was completed in the mid 1920s Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer
