Arkansas Educational Television Network

City of Visitors: The Story of Hot Springs

There is only one reason for Hot Springs, Arkansas to exist. For centuries, people have been drawn to the mysterious, thermal water that flows from the side of Hot Springs Mountain. Legends grew about the water's curative properties, and soon people from all over the world began to visit and bathe in the warm spring water. The town has always been a city of visitors, and all of the businesses in town evolved to meet the needs of the visitors.

As the bathing industry grew, other forms of entertainment also began to flourish. Gambling, prostitution, and liquor seemed to go hand-in-hand with a visit to the spa. The only problem with these forms of entertainment was they were illegal. One of the constant questions facing the citizens of Hot Springs was how openly to allow these illegal activities to operate.

The town developed into one of the top health resorts in the country. Any one who was �anyone� came to Hot Springs because it was the place to be. But it was all built on a system of government that catered to money and power and fear. Eventually, the changes sweeping across the new South after World War II hit the town of Hot Springs, and things were never the same.

City of Visitors is the story of how Hot Springs developed as a town with a split personality. It's the story of the people who made the city one of the most glamorous health treatment centers in the country, as well as the largest illegal gambling operation in the U.S. And it's the story of the people who forced the city to change.

Viewer Comments

This was a fascinating show. After watching it on AETN, my husband and I looked it up and watched a portion of it on aetn.org. So interesting to hear the history of this intriguing city.
Comment made by Michelle on 12 Jan 2009