Hot Springs, AR
Music connected to Hot Springs
About Hot Springs
- • Douglas MacArthur, a five-star general, spent part of his childhood in Hot Springs.
- • Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort began as a horse-racing track in 1904.
- • The area's 47 thermal springs made it a haven for health seekers and a national park.
- • Gangsters like Al Capone frequented Hot Springs, drawn to its casinos and anonymity.
- • A devastating fire in 1878 destroyed much of downtown, leading to rebuilding.
- • Named for its naturally heated springs, the city was incorporated in 1851.
- • With 37,930 residents, it's smaller than Conway but bigger than Bentonville.
- • At 600 feet, the elevation offers views of the Ouachita Mountains.
- • Tourism and hospitality remain major contributors to the local economy.
- • It feels like stepping back in time, with historic bathhouses and tranquil mountains.
- • The Dallas Mavericks are the closest NBA team, about a 5-hour drive away.
- • Babe Ruth hit a massive home run in an exhibition game at Whittington Park in 1918.