We woke up in Branson and found one geocache and then we were on our way to Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was a beautiful green drive. Here is a view from one of the rolling hills around Hot Springs.
We spent the afternoon at the National Park...not your typical park. It mainly showcased 8 turn-of-the-century Bath Houses that sprung up to take advantage of the hot springs in the area. These were frequented by the rich and famous. Evidently taking baths in the mineral waters was chic and believed to have many health benefits. Poorer folks just found their own outdoor spots. We strolled up and down the magnolia tree-lined boulevard of Bath House Row and also walked the lovely bricked path along the hill behind the houses called the Grand Promenade. Here are some of the bath houses:
This one, The Fordyce House, has become the Park's Visitors Center. We saw a movie called The Valley of Vapors and a video about current day use and took a guided tour through this one.
This is the gymnasium with original equipment...forerunner of the modern day health clubs.
This is the social hall with wicker furniture (Autumn I thought of you) and fabulous tile (1/2 inch squares) floor.
This photo shows some of the stained glass ceiling in the social hall...looking towards the men's billiards room. The other end is a music room and ladies game/card playing room.
Here is the men's locker room/dressing room complete with the "De Soto meets the Native Americans" fountain.
Here is the stained glass Neptune's Mermaids ceiling above the De Soto fountain.
Check out this plumbing and thermometer (the photo should be vertical).
Here is a "needle jet shower." Notice the shower heads around the framework in the stall aimed at the torso.
Outside the Fordyce House I bravely stuck my hand in the very hot (143 degrees F.) water fountain, very briefly.
Here is a hot mineral water fountain where you can drink the water...we did.
Here is about the only place left where you can see the springs dripping/running out of the hillside.
Across the street in the parking lot there were a number of cool sculptures...Fiddler,
Girl with a kite,
Globe,
And a double basket of petunias.
After the bath houses we went geocaching at a city park along the Hot Springs Creek...creative entrance.
We woke up in Branson and found one geocache and then we were on our way to Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was a beautiful green drive. Here is a view from one of the rolling hills around Hot Springs.
We spent the afternoon at the National Park...not your typical park. It mainly showcased 8 turn-of-the-century Bath Houses that sprung up to take advantage of the hot springs in the area. These were frequented by the rich and famous. Evidently taking baths in the mineral waters was chic and believed to have many health benefits. Poorer folks just found their own outdoor spots. We strolled up and down the magnolia tree-lined boulevard of Bath House Row and also walked the lovely bricked path along the hill behind the houses called the Grand Promenade. Here are some of the bath houses:
This one, The Fordyce House, has become the Park's Visitors Center. We saw a movie called The Valley of Vapors and a video about current day use and took a guided tour through this one.
This is the gymnasium with original equipment...forerunner of the modern day health clubs.
This is the social hall with wicker furniture (Autumn I thought of you) and fabulous tile (1/2 inch squares) floor.
This photo shows some of the stained glass ceiling in the social hall...looking towards the men's billiards room. The other end is a music room and ladies game/card playing room.
Here is the men's locker room/dressing room complete with the "De Soto meets the Native Americans" fountain.
Here is the stained glass Neptune's Mermaids ceiling above the De Soto fountain. 
Check out this plumbing and thermometer (the photo should be vertical).
Here is a "needle jet shower." Notice the shower heads around the framework in the stall aimed at the torso. 
Outside the Fordyce House I bravely stuck my hand in the very hot (143 degrees F.) water fountain, very briefly.
Here is a hot mineral water fountain where you can drink the water...we did.
Here is about the only place left where you can see the springs dripping/running out of the hillside.
Across the street in the parking lot there were a number of cool sculptures...Fiddler,
Girl with a kite,
Globe, 
And a double basket of petunias.
After the bath houses we went geocaching at a city park along the Hot Springs Creek...creative entrance. 
2 comments:
Neat! Public bathing is such a strange concept to me. But those were schmancy places. :)
FYI...the bath houses had individual tubs and privacy walls/partitions.
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