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Source: Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism:
www.arkansas.com
Hot Springs and Hot Springs National Park
owe their existence to an array of springs
that still supply naturally heated water for
thermal bathers. The Fordyce Bathhouse,
located on famous Bathhouse Row, serves as
the park’s visitor center.
Hot Springs is the smallest and oldest of
the parks in the National Park System. It
dates back to 1832 when Congress
established, 40 years ahead of Yellowstone,
the first federally protected area in the
nation's history. Hot Springs Reservation,
which was renamed Hot Springs National Park
in 1921, was created to protect the 47
naturally flowing thermal springs on the
southwestern slope of Hot Springs Mountain.
The city, which is the boyhood home of
former U.S. President Bill Clinton, is
located in Garland County. Along with the
national park it is home base to live
Thoroughbred racing at Oaklawn Park, Magic
Springs/Crystal Falls theme and water parks,
the 210-acre Garvan Woodland Gardens, The
Gangster Museum of America, and a renowned
arts community.
The city is also known for many annual
events including the Hot Springs Music
Festival Hot Springs Documentary Film
Festival, Valley of the Vapors Independent
Music Festival, Hot Springs Jazz Festival,
Hot Springs Blues Festival, the downtown
Bathtub Races and the World's Shortest St.
Patrick's Day Parade.
Illegal casino gambling thrived in the city
during the 40s, 50s and 60s, until Governor
Rockefeller closed the casinos in 1967. The
Gangster Museum of America focuses on the
1920s-40s era of the town, when gangsters
such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano
vacationed there.
Summit Arena is connected to the Hot Springs
Convention Center and hosts concerts,
sports, and shows. Outdoor activities in the
area include mountain biking, hiking, golf,
horseback riding, and fishing, digging for
quartz crystals, and water sports that
center around lakes Hamilton, Ouachita,
Catherine, Ouachita, and DeGray. More
outdoor options can also be found at the
Ouachita National Forest.
Learn more about Hot Springs and Hot Springs
National Park by visiting the Arkansas
Department of Parks and Tourism at:
www.arkansas.com
You can also visit the Hot Springs city website
that contains a wealth of information about
attractions and events by pointing your browser
to:
www.hotsprings.org
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