Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1902 — AMERICA’S CARLSBAD [ARTICLE]

AMERICA’S CARLSBAD

HOT SPRINGS, ARK., THE GREATEST RESORT OF THE COUNTRY. Th rone hoot th* World for the Miraculous Power* of It* Water* — Open Alike to Health and Pleasure Seeker* the Tear Rpund. Hot Springs, Arkansas, is the greatest all-the-year health and pleasure resort in America, and one of the best known sanitariums in the world. The reservation on which the Springs are located embraces 2,000 acres, and is owned and controlled by the United States Government. The city itself is on the Iron Mountain route, 399 miles from St. Louis, and 205 miles from Memphis, Tenn., the most direct connection being made from these cities to all points North, East, South and West. The modern history of Hot Springs is almost identical with that of the Louisiana purchase. Who was the first white discoverer of the hot springs is not definitely known, but scraps of history go far to establish the fact that Do Soto found them in his wanderings, and legends connect them with the fountain of youth for which Ponce de Leon sought. In 1804 President Jefferson sent an exploring party, in charge of Messrs. Hunter and Dunbar, to Hot Springs, to ascertain the character of the waters, and if there was anyone in possession, or if any improvements had been made that would enable anyone to establish a claim to the right of possession. This was the origin of the movement that resulted in the United States Government taking possession of the springs in 1832 and a reservation around them of two miles square. By this act the government became the sole owner of the springs and the water thereof, thus guaranteeing the people against monopoly and extortion, which would arise from private ownership. The government controls the water that supplies all the bath houses. It fixes the price of the baths, which rule much lower here than at any other bathing resorts in the country. It makes rules and regulations for the conduct of the houses and their employes, and the resident superintendent, who is appointed by the President and reports to the Secretary of the Interior, sees that the houses are kept in perfect sanitary condition, and has charge of all the government interests here except the Army and Navy Hospital affairs. In recent years the Congress has appropriated large sums for the improvement and adornment of the Government property at Hot Springs, and the entire reservation has been transformed into a series of beautiful parks fair to look upon. Tennis courts, one of the finest golf courses to be found in the country; in fact, everything that can in any manner enhance the pleasure of a sojourn at this delightful resort has been provided. The leading hotels of Hot Springs have no superiors in the country, and the appointments are luxurious, the. cuisine and service unrivalled. The erroneous impression still obtains in some quarters that Hot Springs is solely a resort for the sick, a haven of refuge for the broken in health; but such is not the case. It is one of the most popular winter and pleasure resorts to be found in this country or any other. The great “American Carlsbad” is unrivalled by any European resort of like nature. The social life at Hot Springs is most attractive, as it is thq favorite resort of the best people, “tha season” really including the whole year, and the temperature being at all times agreeable. Besides the famous Hot Springs there abound in the immediate vicinity numerous cold mineral springs which supplement the thermal waters and make the complement of the marvelous curative water of Hot Springs, Arkansas. These cold waters are of great medicinal merit and are used in conjunction with the thermal waters in tiie treatment of the stomach, kidney and bladder troubles. No other resort in America can boast of so many charming drives, or of such infinite variety. The livery service is one of the remarkable features of the place, supplying the finest Kentucky bred horses, and the most stylish of turnouts. The horses are trained to easy gaits, and even ladies without previous experience ride the thoroughbred single footers without discomfort. Hot Springs is abreast of the times in all that contributes to the pleasure and amusements of guests. The tennis ground, golf links, baseball park and race course are all in daily requisition. Travelers from the West and Northwest using the Kansas City gateway have the choice of three different routes to Hot Springs, Arkansas. One is over the Missouri Pacific to St Louis and thence by the Iron Mountain Route to Benton, Ark., and thence by the Little Rock and Hot Springs Western to Hot Springs. The second Is by the Missouri Pacific Railway to Coffeyville, Kas., and thence by the Iron Mountain Route to Little Rock and Benton, and over the Little Rock & Hot Springs Western to Hot Springs. The third route is over the Kansas City Southern from Kansas City to Sallisaw, I. T., thence over the Little Rock & Hot Springs Western to Hot Springs. Sleeping car service from Kansas City and St. Louis through to Hot Springs without change. Agents of either of these lines will cheerfully furnish all necessary information and supply applicants with interesting literature about the greatest health and pleasure resort in the country. Little vices keep company with great virtues.