The Flickr Oldestnationalparkamongcurrentnationalparkunits Image Generatr

The area now known as "Hot Springs National Park" first became United States territory in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The Dunbar-Hunter Expedition came here in 1804, sent by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the southern reaches of the recent purchase. Soon a bustling town grew up around the hot springs to provide services for health seekers. The resultant bathing industry led to Hot Springs becoming known as the "American Spa." But, even before becoming a U.S. territory, Hot Springs National Park had a long and colorful history, beginning long before its designation as Hot Springs Reservation in 1832. American Indians came here for thousands of years to quarry novaculite for their tools and weapons. Finally, on April 20, 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed legislation to set aside "...four sections of land including said (hot) springs, reserved for the future disposal of the United States (which) shall not be entered, located, or appropriated, for any other purpose whatsoever." This makes Hot Springs National Park the oldest national park among current National Park units, predating Yellowstone National Park by forty years.

West Mountain Drive has entrances on Prospect Avenue and Whittington Avenue. It is a two way road that leads to the Summit Loop where you will find three overlooks. This is the first overlook which affords a good view of the former Army/Navy Hospital (seen in this photo in the center) which was the first general hospital in the nation that provided treatment to both Army and Navy patients and is included in the Army and Navy General Hospital Historic District (NRHP #05001590) that is included on the National Register of Historic Places. Also seen from this overlook is the Hot Springs Mountain Tower (on the middle left) that is 216 feet above Hot Springs Mountain and 1,256 feet above Sea level. The second overlook has a historic trail shelter and picnic tables and the summit has a view south to the Trap Mountains and Lake Hamilton. This shelter was built in 1924 making it one of the oldest mountain shelters still in use today at Hot Springs National Park. Addtionaly, at the third overlook, there is access to sunset trail at the summit.

www.nps.gov/hosp/planyourvisit/scenic-overlooks.htm

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

West Mountain Drive has entrances on Prospect Avenue and Whittington Avenue. It is a two way road that leads to the Summit Loop where you will find three overlooks. The first overlook affords a good view of Bathhouse Row and the former Army-Navy Hospital. The second overlook has a historic trail shelter and picnic tables and the summit has a view south to the Trap Mountains and Lake Hamilton. You'll find an outcrop of Arkansas Novaculite at the top as well; this rock was used by the Caddo Indians for making tools and weapons and later by European settlers for whetstones. Addtionaly, there is access to sunset trail at the summit.

www.nps.gov/places/west-mountain.htm

The sign board above highlights all the hiking trail options along with information about each trail including the trail blaze color to keep you on the right track, one-way distance, elevation change, and the difficulty rating with the typical grade percentage. It also includes a map showing the trails along with other area features.

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

The area now known as "Hot Springs National Park" first became United States territory in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The Dunbar-Hunter Expedition came here in 1804, sent by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the southern reaches of the recent purchase. Soon a bustling town grew up around the hot springs to provide services for health seekers. The resultant bathing industry led to Hot Springs becoming known as the "American Spa." But, even before becoming a U.S. territory, Hot Springs National Park had a long and colorful history, beginning long before its designation as Hot Springs Reservation in 1832. American Indians came here for thousands of years to quarry novaculite for their tools and weapons. Finally, on April 20, 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed legislation to set aside "...four sections of land including said (hot) springs, reserved for the future disposal of the United States (which) shall not be entered, located, or appropriated, for any other purpose whatsoever." This makes Hot Springs National Park the oldest national park among current National Park units, predating Yellowstone National Park by forty years.

West Mountain Drive has entrances on Prospect Avenue and Whittington Avenue. It is a two way road that leads to the Summit Loop where you will find three overlooks. The first overlook affords a good view of the former Army-Navy Hospital (barely seen in this photo in the lower right corner) and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower (seen in the photograph above) that is 216 feet above Hot Springs Mountain and 1,256 feet above Sea level. The second overlook has a historic trail shelter and picnic tables and the summit has a view south to the Trap Mountains and Lake Hamilton. This shelter was built in 1924 making it one of the oldest mountain shelters still in use today at Hot Springs National Park. Addtionaly, at the third overlook, there is access to sunset trail at the summit.

www.nps.gov/hosp/planyourvisit/scenic-overlooks.htm

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

The area now known as "Hot Springs National Park" first became United States territory in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The Dunbar-Hunter Expedition came here in 1804, sent by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the southern reaches of the recent purchase. Soon a bustling town grew up around the hot springs to provide services for health seekers. The resultant bathing industry led to Hot Springs becoming known as the "American Spa." But, even before becoming a U.S. territory, Hot Springs National Park had a long and colorful history, beginning long before its designation as Hot Springs Reservation in 1832. American Indians came here for thousands of years to quarry novaculite for their tools and weapons. Finally, on April 20, 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed legislation to set aside "...four sections of land including said (hot) springs, reserved for the future disposal of the United States (which) shall not be entered, located, or appropriated, for any other purpose whatsoever." This makes Hot Springs National Park the oldest national park among current National Park units, predating Yellowstone National Park by forty years.

Later, on August 25, 1916, Congress established the National Park Service (NPS), and Hot Springs Reservation came under its administration. Stephen T. Mather, head of the new organiza-tion, took a serious interest in the development of the site. His enthusiasm for Hot Springs apparently led to its designation as the eighteenth national park on March 4, 1921. At the same time, the townspeople decided to call their city Hot Springs National Park as well. The designation of the reservation as a national park ushered in the final phase of construction culminating in the Bathhouse Row of today. In 1922 the old Government Free Bathhouse was demolished, and a new state-of-the-art bathhouse opened on Reserve and Spring Streets. In 1933 a central thermal water collection and distribution system was completed, and grading began on the Grand Promenade behind Bathhouse Row. In 1936 the new administration building on the corner of Reserve and Central opened, replacing the park headquarters earlier converted from the reservation’s pump house. The Imperial Bathhouse next to the administration building was razed in 1937 to make way for the Grand Promenade entrance on Reserve, although it was to be 1958 before this ambitious project was completely finished. In the final phase of construction, the Fountain Street superintendent’s residence was razed, and the promenade was extended to Fountain Street.

Bathhouse Row and its environs were placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on November 13, 1974. About this same time, the desire to revitalize Bathhouse Row also led citizens to campaign for adaptive uses of the vacant buildings. The strongest concern was to save the most elegant bathhouse, the Fordyce, which was consequently adapted for use as the visitors center for the National Park and a museum. Today, all the bathhouses have been renovated and adapted for modern use.

www.nps.gov/hosp/learn/historyculture/index.htm

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/