This bird’s-eye view print of Hot Springs, Arkansas was drawn by Henry Wellge and published by Beck & Pauli Lith. Co. in 1888. Set aside when Arkansas was still a territory, as a federal reserve, Hot Springs maintains a bevy of natural hot mineral springs and underground rivers.
After nearly being destroyed during the American Civil War, the town of Hot Springs began to rebuild. Hot Springs was made the county seat of Garland County when the county was formed in 1873. A narrow gauge railroad from Malvern was added in 1875 and the luxurious Arlington Hotel opened in that same year.
Rumors of claim jumping prompted the federal government, in the late 1870's, to take over ownership of Hot Springs. A federal commission was then brought in to survey property, lay out the town and deal with the legality of claims. “Bathhouse Row” began taking shape as several large hotels and spa resorts emerged at Hot Springs, luring vacationers and ailment remedy seekers from all parts almost immediately.
The map includes labeled streets, buildings and vicinity.
Features references to the following locations:
Arlington Hotel. S. H. Stitt & Co., Proprietors.
New Waverly Hotel. L. D. Cain, Proprietor.
Plateau Hotel. D. C. Rugg, Proprietor.
Hotel Hay. C. D. Hay, Proprietor.
National Hotel. M. C. O’Bryen, Proprietor.
Avenue Hotel. A. R. Smith, Proprietor.
Josephine Hotel. C. O. & F. W. Eveland, Proprietors.
Sumter House. J. J. Sumter, Proprietor.
Army and Navy General Hospital. R. S. Vickery, Physician in Charge.
Court House.
Post Office. A. J. Hill, Postmaster.
Hot Springs R. R. Depot.
Arkansas National Bank.
L. Farmer, Fancy Retail Grocer.
Office of J. D. Kimbell, Mayor.
J. H. Livers & Co. “Our Drug Store”.
Baxter & Hunt, Real Estate and Insurance.
F. Dengler.
S. P. Collings, Physician and Surgeon.
A. F. Sanders, Physician and Surgeon.
P. H. Ellsworth, M. D.
Dr. Alfred Arnaud, Physician and Surgeon.
Dr. E. E. Ellis.
Chs. Garratt & Co., Lapidaries and Jewelers.
Max Roller.
J. D. Ware, Insurance.
R. A. Bayles, Real Estate and Loan Agent.
J. A. Townsend, Dry Goods, Clothing, Boots and Shoes.
J. M. Blake, Lapidary and Jeweler.
S. M. Work, Physician and Surgeon.
Cooper & Johnston, Books and Stationery.
H. J. Davis & Co., Books and Stationery.
W. H. Parcella, Fancy Goods, etc.
E. A. Douglas & Co., Books and Stationery
Rammelsberg Bath House.
Old Hale Bath House.
Independent Bath House.
Ozark Bath House.
Palace Bath House.
Superior Bath House.
Big Iron Bath House.
New Rector Bath House.
Rockafellows Bath House.
New Hot Springs Bath House.
Central Bath House. James L. Barns, Proprietor, 21 Baths, $4.00.