The 143° F springs are probably the best known part of Hot Springs, but there is much more history than many know about.
In 1832, President Andrew Jackson basically designated Hot Springs as America’s first national park, when he named it Hot Springs Reservation. When Congress officially established the National Park Service, the area became Hot Springs National Park in 1921.
In addition to the natural beauty of the area, Hot Springs was the home of organized crime from the late 1800s through the mobster golden age of the 1930s. The federal government put a stop to most of this activity in the 1960s. If you are interested in this this aspect of life in Hot Springs, you will want to check out The Gangster Museum of America.
Our visit to Hot Springs was too short. I am hopeful we can return someday.