Sunday, November 17, 2013

Doctors prescribed mineral baths in Hot Springs, AR

At one time this bathhouse had many visitors come for spa treatments.  The building is now owned by the National Park Service.
(This story took place in September.)

We went to Hot Springs National Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas today. The region is full of geothermal springs that come to the surface at temperatures as high as 140F. In the late 1800's and early 1900's grand bathhouses were built downtown that diverted spring water into spas. People from all across the country came in hopes that soaking in the water would cure what ailed them. The national park now maintains these historic bathhouses and protects the springs. It's interesting that doctors back then prescribed mineral baths and time in nature. We should have more of those types of prescriptions again instead of just pushing pills. Now I really want to go to a spa!


One of the natural hot springs still allowed to flowing above ground.

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