Historic Structure Report: Hale Bathhouse

Witsell, Evans & Rasco, P.A.

Hot Springs National Park was once known as Hot Springs Reservation. It was set aside in 1832 to protect the Park's primary resource, the hot springs. This type of Reservation was an early version of the National Park idea.Hot Springs was actually the first area in the United States to be set aside for its natural features.After Yellowstone was formed in 1872, Hot Springs was managed with it. In 1916 the National Park Service was formed and in 1921, Hot Springs Reservation changed its name to Hot Springs National Park, making it the 18th National Park in the Service. This Historic Structure Report concerns the Hale Bathhouse at Hot Springs National Park. The structure, which suspended bathhouse operations in 1974, and has been vacant since, is one of five bathhouses included in the NPS lease program. A fifty-year lease was executed beginning September 1, 1987, between the Park Service and Mr. Melvyn Bell, an investor from Little Rock, Arkansas. As a major feature of Mr. Bell's proposed rehabilitation and adaption of the buildings, the Hale will be rehabilitated and adapted into a modern, updated "spa." However, since the Maurice and Quapaw have similar proposed uses, and are planned to be completed first, Mr. Bell has requested an interim use of the Hale to be an antique gallery for Architectural Antiques, his wife's business. The interim use will stabilize the building and make temporary modifications to the interior.

Historic Structure Report: Hale Bathhouse

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