F 419 .H8 H8 Copy 1 -^^=i THjE M» i** M'mi'mi j^mm -<►♦•«- <4|^ (ILLUSTRATED.) AND "IMDW T© GMT TwmmMt -♦^♦^ X>'CJEti:.XSHE:S> X3Y JhE ^T. pOUIS. JRONyVloUNTAIN ^ ^OUTHERN JR'y pO. JULY 187 : ^ ^' m + n 1 1 THE HOT SPRINGS OF ARKANSAS. AMERICA'S BADEN-BADEN (ILLUSTKATED.) WHERE IT IS, WHAT IT IS, AND HOW TO GET THERE. PUBLISHED BY THE ST. LOUIS IRON MOUNTAIN & SOUTHERN R'Y CO. .^--^^ JITLY, 1877. t <5 i> WOODWAKD, TIERNAN & HALR, ENGRAVERS, PRINTERS AND STATIONERS, ST. LOUIS. ,, ^ N a narrow glen between two bold spurs of the Ozark ^i|{ Mountains, in Garland County, Arkansas, are found the most wonderful thermal springs, in their healing prop- erties, now knoAvn in the world. The early voyagers who landed on our Southern coast were told by the natives of these wonderful life-giving springs, and the adventurous Ponce de T.eon searched for them, believing they were the fountains of eternal youth. That De Soto found them there can be no doubt, as. the evidences are indisputable that he was at one time encamped on the banks of the Ouachita, and the Indians in later times told the tradition of an army of white men who came with tattered banners and encamped beneath the solemn pines and branching oaks in tlie valley below the springs, and how they bathed in the waters and were cured. The Indians carried their sick and aged people there, and they may be called the fibrst settlers. jioT Springs Illustrations, MAIN STREET-HOT SPRINGS. 4 t In 1820 the first permanent settlement was made by white men, who erected a few cabins, and the history of the springs as an American resort dates from that time. For many years they had but few visitors, and those who went were the hardy frontiersmen who had become invalids through exposm'e. But as each one returned to civilization, cm-ed of his ills, the fame of the place spread, and each year marked an increase of visitors. Originally the visitors bathed in the springs mthout covering or medical advice of any kind; then came the bath-tubs, hollowed out of the trunks of the huge pines and poplars, and in time these were enclosed within rude log cabins. In those days, and until 1873, visitors reached Little Eock by river, and thence to the springs, sixty-five miles by stage, over a rough mountain road. The difficult road and the inferior hotel accommodations at the springs were enough to deter the more delicate from an attempt to make the journey, and for years the springs were resorted to only by those able to undergo the fatigues of the trjdng trip, while ladies seldom ventured over the road at all. From this cause the society, up to 1866, was not of the most pol- ished character; but each year since then has been marked by the most wonderful social changes. As it is an all the YEAR RESOUT, many excellent i^eople who could not enjoy perfect health in other climates made their permanent habitations here, it being the only place on the continent in a semi-tropical climate, where the thermometer never rises higher than 95 degrees in summer, and where mosqui- toes and other vermin are unknown. Since 1866 many of the most prominent citizens and public men of the country have sought and found their lost health at these springs, and within the past few jenvs, they began the custom of bringing Avith them the ladies of their fami- lies, until now the society is as good as can be found at any health resort in the country. W)iile the springs have thus been gaining character, the road to them has been smoothed by the progress of com- mercial necessities. The St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway was completed from St. Louis to Texas in 1874, and passes within twenty-five miles of the springs, at Malvern, as near as it could be built on account of spurs of the mountain range. Earlv in 1875 the Hot J^OT p> PRINGS LLUSTRATIONS. TROUGHS FOR CONVEYING HOT WATER FROM SPRINGS TO BATH HOUSES AND HOTELS. i t Springs Railroad was built from Malvern to the springs, thus connecting hy rail, directly from St. Louis, with the whole world tliese magic fountains which for cen- turies had been approached only by the most rugged paths. IMPROYEMEKTS AND ATTRACTIONS. The completion of the Eailways begat other improvements. A street railway Avas built from the depot through the valley and town, ending at the Park on the north. New hotels were erected, among them the Arlington, Grand Central, Hot Springs, Avenue and Waverly, all of which were con- structed with the view of accommodating the sick or well. New and better bath-houses were built, roads were laid out in every direction through the beautiful valleys and over the grand mountains, affording the most delightful routes for horse-back riding amidst the most enchanting scenerj . A good road was made to Crystal Mountain, thirty miles distant, and an enterprising jeweler (J. M. Blake) set up a lapidary establishment, the first one opened west of New York. In this district are found the "Hot Springs dia- monds," many crystals, agates, porphyries and other stones, which are made by the hands of the skillful lapidary into jewelry of latest styles. These, and specimens of various Muds, picked up in places noted, or for which one has affection, in any part of the world, furnish most pleasant memories from the jeweled hand. The mountain views are unsurpassed, while the beautiful streams in the narrow valleys, winding among the rocks beneath the shade of the luxuriant growth of evergreens, oaks and holly, are as attractive as any in the world. The mountains offer every attraction to the lover of the chase ; the bear, deer, wild turkey and all the smaller game being found in abundance. The beautiful Ouachita river (pro- nounced Washita) passes within six miles to the southward, offering the rarest sport to the fisherman, either for a day or a week's camping out; shad are plentiful in this stream. To the lover of nature, to the invalid needing out-door exercise, where the attractions are so varied that the same route need not be traveled twice. Hot Springs and vicinity offer every inducement. So admirably adapted to the wants j^oT ^PRiNGs Illustrations. MALVERN CROSSING-HOT SPRINGS. ■^; of health -seekers are all the surroundings, that the horses at the iDublic stables have been selected for their easj^ move- ments, and horse-back riding is a favorite pastime and exer- cise with convalescent visitors. ORIGIR OF HOT SPRIKGS. The Ozark Mountain range extends v^estward for one hundred miles, and northward to Kansas and through Southern Missouri, and yet the one little spot in Garland County, Arkansas, is the only place in the whole range where thermal springs are to be found. Various theories as to their cause have been advanced, but it is probable that those of Hunt, Mallet and Le Conte are correct, viz : that they are due to mountain corrugation, and not eruption, and these are referable to the Archaen Ozark corrugation. In the present state of our knowledge and speculation in regard to the structure of the earth's crust there are several explanations that may be offered of the existence of thermal springs. It is now beyond question that there is an increase of temperature downward from the Surface of the earth, and observations are so far accordant, that the range of recent estimates of the rate of increase is only from one degree Fahrenheit for fifty feet of descent to one degree for ninety feet. So we have reason to expect that water which, between the region where it enters the earth and the point at which it emerges, passes far beneath the surface, will luive been heated and will issue ^yith. a temperature higher than the local temperature of the ground and air — that is, that it will be thermal. The deeper the water passes in its subterranean transit the more heat it will receive. So hot springs, may be found where the rock structure is such as to lead subterranean water by quick routes from gi-eat depths, and since water follows either fissures or the parting of strata, these conditions Avill be found only where the rocks are greatly inclined or fractured. The Ozark Mountains in the vicinity of Hot Springs have the appearance of a vast irregulnr mass rather thtin a moun- tain range, the diversified condition being the work of vol- canic upheaval, though but little of the surface presents evidences of eruptive action on tlie rocks. J^OT Springs Jllustrations. BIG IRON SPRING-HOT SPRINGS. ■ammmmmmmm' -^ \VtK>dwitrd!i:ioctiBn.A Hulij >l5p.:Eiigr;».StJ^uli V 11 THE HOT SPRINGS Are fifty -nine in number, and issue from the west side of the southern spur of Hot Springs Mountain, the highest being one hundred and eighty-one feet above tlie level of the creek, while the lowest find vent in the bottom of the stream. The waters are clear, tasteless and inodorous. The highest temperature is 153 degrees Fahrenheit. An in- spection of the accompanying map will show the relative location of the springs, and the curious fact that a line drawn around them represents the lower portion of the human leg and foot, and that the famous ''corn holes" are located at the toes of the foot. The lowest of these springs is six hundred feet above tide water at the Gulf of Mexico, while the highest is seven hundred and eighty-one feet above tide water. The esti- mated quantity of water discharged daily is about five hundred thousand gallons, enough to provide ten thousand persons with a bath in fifty gallons of water each day. THE CHARACTER OF THE WATER Of these springs, from a quantitative analysis made by David Dale Owen, exhibited the following qualities: Silicates, with base. Alumina, with Oxide of Iron. Bicarbonate of Lime. Oxide of Manganese. Bicarbonate of Magnesia. Sulphate of Lime. Carbonate of Soda. Arsenite of Lime. Carbonate of Potassa. Arsenite of Iron. Carbonate of Lithia. Bromine. Sulphate of Magnesia. Iodine, a trace. Chloride of Magnesia. Organic matter, a trace. WHAT DISEASES ARE CURED BY •THE WATERS. Tlie invalid, unless a physician, will care very little about the character of the water ; what he most desires is to knoAV what diseases are cured or benefitted bv their use. ^>^P^— !Wi^^<"g— — ^Jg— ^ ■ ^ ■ m - ^ 4~ f^OT 3PRTNGS |t.TATSTRATIONS. ARSENIC SPRING-MAIN STREET HOT SPRINGS. -t T 13 Rheumatism, Gout, Scrofula, Paralysis, ISTeural- GiA, Ozena (Catarrh), Sore Throat, Syphilis, ac- quired or liereditaiy, in all its dififerent forms and stages : Asthma, Gravel, Diseases of the Kidneys and Bladder, Chronic Ulcers, Ring Worm, Sick Headache, Mens- truation Troubles and Sterility. All of these, with many others of a similar nature, are successfully treated, and in most cases perfectly cured hy the proper use of these wonderful waters. EFFECT UPOR THE COMPLEXION. These springs are the only place known in the world where the bather can feel an absolute certainty of having a faded complexion restored to the bloom of youth, even at an advanced age. Ladies wlia desire to improve the skin and regain the beauty lost by the use ol cosmetics or from disease, will experience the most marvelous results; and nothing can exceed its effect upon tlie hair. In many cases persons suffering from partial baldness have had their hair entirely restored. ALCOHOLISM AHD THE OPIUM HABIT. Both of these dreadful habits are successfully cured here, it being the experience of those who have been in the habit of using either, that they can easily abstain while bathing in and drinking these waters. NUMBER OF VISITORS YEARLY. Since 18G5 the average number of visitors at the springs has been ten thousand seven hundred per year, and of these about seventy-five per cent, have been radicallj'- cured of tlie diseases with which they were afflicted. A description of the most conspicuous cures effected would seem to bor- der so much upon the field of exaggeration that they cannot be credited save bv those who liave seen them. t jioT Springs Jllustrations. STREET VIEW-HOT SPRINGS. f- 15 OTHER SPRINGS. The "Mountain Valley Springs," twelve miles north of Hot Springs, whose virtues have been very successfully tested in cases of chronic chills and fevers, female com- plaints, general debility, dyspepsia, gravel, etc., and which have effected some perfect cures of diabetes and Bright's disease of the kidneys, which were considered incurable. Indeed, so gi'eat is the faith of the proprietor of these springs in their efficacy, that he offered last year to board invalids for nothing if they were not cured of the diseases for which their waters were recommended. The "Sulphur Springs," seven miles south of Hot Springs, a very strong alkaline, saline, sul])huretted water, highly recommended for all mercurial diseases, and much resorted to by patients as a tonic after a course of baths at the Hot Springs ; and within one-third of a mile of these are some twenty to thirty other fine springs of similar prop- erties. The "Cluster Springs," situated three miles east of Hot Springs, on the west side of Solitaire Mountain. They more closely resemble the Hot Springs than any other in the county, being about the same elevation above the level of the sea and the valley below, and are of different temperature. At the "Cluster" there are ten to lifteen springs within a circle of one hundred feet, and within a few hundred feet on each side are several more. IVIost all of them contain mineral of some kind, but a few are the purest of fi-eestone water. The properties of these waters have not been analyzed, but by simple tests have shown evidence of the presence of iron, magnesia, lime, soda, sul- phur, etc. "Bryan's Iron Springs." two miles from Hot Springs, containing iron, sulphate, magnesia, lime, soda and carbonic acid gas; a splendid tonic, and recommended to those wish- ing to increase the quantity of iron in their blood and regain an "iron constitution." These are but a few of the many springs wiiich abound in the region of Hot Springs ; indeed, it may safely be asserted that no other locality in the ^vorld possesses such A vari- ety of health-giving waters. Wot Springs Jllustrations. CAMPING OUT NEAR HOT SPRINGS. Tf r MEDICAL TREATMENT. As most of the visitors to the Hot Springs for the benefit of their health find the advice and services of a Physician necessary and important, it is gratifying to be able to state that that profession is ably represented there, and that the very best medical skill and ability can alwaj's be obtained when needed. In the treatment of the several forms of Chronic Diseases, for which these waters are recommended, the resident physicians have possessed the best opportuni- ties to improve and extend their knowledge by actual expe- rience, and have thereby acquired national reputations and become familiarly and favorably known in their profession throughout the country. The following is the testimony of one of the most cele- brated of these : " The cures produced by the waters of these springs seem almost like miracles. It is impossible for words to exag- gerate the facts, and the truth is stranger than any fiction that could be invented. '' I have seen persons — rheumatics — who had not walked a hundred yards for years, restored to health and vigor by a few weeks' use of them. I have seen those who had been tortured for years by neuralgia and spinal disease relieved in a few days, and ultimately made happy by a perfect cure, by the use of this wonderful curative agent. I have seen the victims of scrofulous diseases — with shat- tered constitutions, and the evidences of their terrible afllic- tion exhil)ited upon every square inch of the surface of their bodies, and to whom existence was a condition of hopeless, humiliating misery — restored to perfect health by bathing their ulcers and drinking freely of these waters for a few months." BATHIKG AND USE OF THE WATER. The place contains some excellent bath-houses, the chief ones being Balentyne's big iron bath-house, just constructed at the G-reat Iron Spring, and the Kector bath-house, adjoin- ing the Arlington Hotel. Tlie Hot Springs and Grand Cen- tral Hotels also have bath-houses in connection witli them I jioT Springs Jllustrations. BRIDGE ACROSS HOT SPRINGS CREEK. 19 As most of the visitors travel hundreds of miles to bathe in these tliermal waters, a description of the bath-houses and manner of bathing should be interesting. The physi- cians give special instructions and written or printed direc- tions to each invalid after they liave undergone a thorough examination. If, on examination, the physician discovers the heart or lungs to be diseased, the invalid is not allowed to bathe, as the hot baths in such cases prove disastrous. The usual directions are to bathe six minutes in water at 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit ; two to six minutes in the vapor room, where vapor baths are used, and five to twenty min- utes in blankets, according to the time required to j)roduce ])erspiratioii. Some few physicians do not require or recom- mend the latter. They also differ somewhat in their treat- ment. All are governed by the physical condition of the invalid and the nature of the disease. The mode of bathing differs with different diseases. Witli some the vapor is not used, and some physicians do not use it in any case. In cases of Bheumatism and Paralysis the douche is sometimes used with satisfactoiy results. It enables the bather to have a stream of water fall on any diseased part of his body or limbs, and he is often imme- diately relieved of pain. The baths are very much enjoyed by all. The electric influence of the water is so quickly felt throughout the whole system, that any one cannot but believe that it is very powerful for good if correctly applied, or for evil if imprudently used. THE CLIMATE AND HEALTH Of the country about the Hot Springs is particularly favor- able. The Ozark range of mountains acts as a guai'd against tlie extreme cold winds of the North and Northwest, and the climate generall}^ is as mild and delightful as tliat of South- ern Georgia or Nortliern Florida. Any season of the year is favorable for batliing, and at all seasons the weather will be found pleasant. In summer the mountains shade the valley until after nine in the morning, and again from three o'clock in the afternoon until sunset. Tlie nights are always cool, there being no time when the visitor cannot sleep with com- fort under a sheet or blanket. During the day the tempera- ture seldom reaches bevond 93 degrees and never over 95. jioT Springs Illustrations, CHALYBEATE SPRINGS, THREE MiLtS FROM HOT SPRINGS. 21 There is no known difference in the efficacy of THESE WATERS AT ANY SEASON OF THE YEAR. It is possible that some constitutions may be more strongly aftectetl, or that some diseases may be more easily cured, at one season than the other; but the dift'erence, if any, exists in the invalid or the disease, not with the waters. The best plan is to make use of them at any season of the year when then- l)enefits are needed, and they anIII prove to be equally efiicacious at all times. For many years invalids were advised to seek the ^^■arln climate of the Gulf Coast during Avinter montlis. Few are now so advised ; but many visit the rarefied atmosphere of the ISTorthern Lakes, others the Eock}^ Mountains. In the first case the enervating effects of the sea-coast air was detrimental and could not be regulated ; in the latter cases, the elevations and the rigors of winter prevent much good I'esult from the great changes of air and temperatiu-e. At the Hot Springs we have mountains of moderate eleva- tion, a semi-Southern climate, and freedom from the ex- tremes of heat and cold. Those accustomed to the sea shore will here have no violence inflicted upon the lungs by rare- fied atmosphere ; invalids of a cold climate are not exhausted by excessive heat. Those . from the warmer countries find relief in the summer, and those of the more rigorous climate find a moderate and agreeable winter resort. By statistics, Arkansas stands at the head of the list of States for health, and has the lowest percentage of consump- tion. This healthy country, of excellent climate, of moun- tainous as well as lower lands, gives forth Medicinal Sin-ings of both hot and cold waters, and of many varieties. In all parts the convalescent as well as the healthy may find game for his pleasm-e and satisfaction, both in the forest and stream. The custom of camping out on the lake shore and the mountain, now so popular through the country, may with great benefit be foUoAved out here. ^ I jioT Springs Illustrations. ICE FACTORY AT HOT SPRINGS. ^ t <> 23 ACCOMMODATIONS FOR YISITORS. Hot Springs is well supplied with hotels and boarding- houses. Five of the leading hotels charge for board, with room, from $60 to $80 per month; while boarding-houses and the smaller hotels charge all the way from $30 to $60 per month. The United States Government is now offering for sale the property adjacent to the Springs, and there can be no doubt that, within a year or two. Hot Springs will rival any Ameri- can watering-place in the size and style of its hotels. At present, the hotels at the Springs are equal to the de- mand, and visitors will have no trouble in finding suitable accommodations at reasonable rates. HOW TO GET TO HOT SPRIMCS. The Hot Springs Railroad, connecting the springs with the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Rail- way at Malvern station, is aow completed, and the Stage part of the journey between those points will be remem- bered only as of the past. This new link in the chain of railway communication has been built in a most substantial manner. Its rolling stock and equipments are First Class in every respect, and all possible appliances for the comfort and convenience of the invalid have been introduced and adopted. Taking the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway at St. Louis, Cairo, Columbus, Ky., Little Rock or Texarkana, direct connection is made at Mal- vern with trains of the Hot Springs Railroad for the springs. This is the Only Line by which the Hot Springs can be reached by rail. (See map in front of this book.) The special attention of parties from the Northern, Eastern and Western States is called to the fact that the most desirable route to the springs is via St. Louis. The Managers of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway have made eveiy effort to make this the favorite route for passenger travel, and an indication of this is seen in their equipment of Pullman Palace Slei:ping Coaches and Handsome Day Cars ; and in addition to the natural ^ Wot Springs Jllustrations. STREET VIEW-HQT SPRINGS, 25 attractions of the line in its scenery, every appliance known for the comfort and pleasui-e of the traveling public has been secured. Trains of this road are fully equipped with the Westing- house Automatie Air Brake and Miller's Patent Safety Plat- form and Coupler, thereby insuring perfect protection against accident. Round Trip Tickets to the Springs, good sixty (60) days from date of sale, are sold at reduced rates at St. Louis, and at principal cities throughout the countr}^ The ticket agents of railway lines which connect with the St.. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway are fully posted as to the route to Hot Springs. No matter where you are, whether in the iSTorth, South, East or West, if you desire to inquire about the route to the springs, the fare, the time it takes to get there, &e., go to the near- est Railvray Ticket Office, ^^'here through tickets are kept for sale, and you can probably learn all about it ; or, full and reliable information will be cheerfully furnished upon telegraphic, written or personal application to either of the following named agents of the St. Louis, Iron Moun- tain & Southern Railway Co. : E. A. FORD, General Passenger Agent, St. Louis, Mo. W. L. VAN NEST, Eastern Passenger Agent, 415 Broadway, New York City. H. H. iVIARLEY, Northern Passenger Agent, 122 Randolph street, Chicago, III. ED, F, SISSON, Southern Passenger Agent, P. 0. Box 132, Chattanooga, Tenn. JOHN HOWARD, Southeastern Passenger Agent, 138 Vine st,, Cincinnati, Ohio. R. W. GILLESPIE, Southwestern Passenger Agent, Houston, Texas. W. C, GREGORy, Ticket Agent, 513 North Fifth street, St. Louis, Mo. J. N. CONGER, Superintendent and Agent, Hot Springs, Ark. WILLIAM HOOKER, Ticket Agent, Little Rock, Ark. W. H. WINFIELD, Ticket Agent, Texarkana, Ark. N. S. MORSE, Agent, Columbus, Ky. J.C.ZIMMER, Agent, Cairo, III. -♦^#-»- ACKNOWLEDGMENT. We are under obligations to Mr. J. F. Kennedy, oi Hot Springs, for photographs from which the views in this little pamphlet are made. t ■ii- 4- Hot Springs Illustrations. SULPHUR SPRINGS, EIGHT MILES FROM HOT SPRINGS. ■it ■it- 27 Distances to Hot Springs, Ark. FROM Miles. Atlanta, Ga 651 Augusta, Ga 822 Austin, Tex 455 Baltimore, Md 1342 Boston, Mass 1540 Buffalo, N.Y 1116 Cairo,Ill 318 Chattanooga, Tenn 513 Charleston, S. C 959 Chicago, ni 683 Cincinnati, 690 Cleveland, O 933 Columbus, Ky 324 Dallas, Tex 347 Denver, Col 1327 Detroit, Mich 907 Fort Worth, Tex 379 Galveston, Tex 505 Houston, Tex 455 Indianapolis, Ind 653 Kansas City, Mo 688 Little Rock, Ark 68 FROM Miles. Louis\ille, Ky 580 Malvern, Ark 25 MarshaU, Tex 201 Memphis, Tenn 203 Milwaukee, Wis 768 Mobile, Ala 625 N^ashville, Tenn 435 New Orleans, La 598 New York City 1467 Omaha, Neb 890 Philadelphia, Pa 1377 Pittsburg, Pa 1032 Richmond, Va 1083 St. Louis, Mo 413 St. Paul, Minn 1092 San Antonio, Tex 668 San Francisco, Cal.... 2806 Salt Lake, Utah 1960 Savannah, Ga 954 Sherman, Tex 280 Texarkana, Ark 126 Washington, D. C 1316 o-A- fioT ^PRTNGS Illustrations. COLD AND HOT SPRINGS. T <> fioT Springs Illustrations. ^fS'-j-i I -t-^^ 0^^.^^^'y!^ ^i