Wheatley Properties

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Often the only part of Hot Springs National Park visitors see is the Historic District on Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was one of the main reasons I began sharing photographs of my hiking adventures within the park. The Historic District along bathhouse row on Central Avenue is actually in Hot Springs National Park. Cross the road and you are in the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. I have combined my first snapshots of the city using a very old camera back in 2009 with current photographs to create a tour of the my new home in Arkansas. From the first day I strolled through the city I felt at home even though I had never imagined myself living in the South. I understand Hill Wheatley’s Love for Hot Springs and am grateful for the land he preserved and donated to the city.

My Husband Rick and I live in a renovated Hotel that was built to accommodate the tourists who came to gamble or rub shoulders with celebrities and gangsters. Hot Springs Historic District was once home to Al Capone, Owney Madden, Lucky Luciano and Bugsy Segal, you can still stay in the Al Capone Suite in the Arlington Hotel which overlooks his favorite gambling spot the Southern Club (now the Wax Museum). For a total immersion in Hot Springs Criminal past you can visit the Gangster Museum of America and hang out at the infamous Ohio Club (built in 1905) like Celebrities Mae West, Tony Bennett, Babe Ruth, and Sammy Davis Jr. In 1967 gambling in the Historic District was brought to a halt by Republicans Governor Winthrop Rockefeller and Circuit Judge Henry M. Britt. The Governor sent in state troopers to close the casinos and burn their gaming equipment. The only remaining gambling establishment in Hot Springs is Oaklawn Park (opened in 1905), a thoroughbred horse racing track.

Hot Springs, Arkansas is the perfect location for you next vacation. Hike all day and then have the total spa treatment at the Quapaw, Buckstaff or the Arlington Hotel. Spend an evening at the Ohio Club, Poetry Loft or on on an Art Walk through the Historic Dstrict. A stroll down Central Avenue is a tour of the city’s history including the 1929 Medical Arts Building which was the first Skyscraper in the South. From the 1891 Hay Hotel and the 1893 Southern Club (now the Wax Museum) to the 1910 Mountain Valley Water and 1930 Hotel De Paris (now the R. Groden Studio) you will find an outstanding array of architectural artistry. If you Love tiles the Historic District including Bathhouse row has a wonderful variety in all colors and styles. From the dome on the Quapaw to the decorative fronts on many of the local business and bathroom floors or hotel fountains there are old tiles throughout the city.

Thank You for joining me in the Hot Springs Historic District.

Much Love,
Lee

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Mulberry Pansy

: Hot Springs Army Navy Rehabilitation Hospital

: Hot Springs Army Navy Rehabilitation Hospital

: Hot Springs Black & White Art Deco Tiles Central Avenue

: Hot Springs Briick Mosaic Fordyce Bathhouse

: Hot Springs Cobalt Aqua and Gray Tiles Central Avenue

: Hot Springs Cobalt Blue Tiles Central Avenue

: Hot Springs Map of Oregon Rock Parking Lot Central Ave

: Hot Springs Medical Arts Building & Arlington Hotel

: Hot Springs Museum Of Contemporary Art

: Hot Springs Museum Of Contemporary Art

: Hot Springs National Park Fordyce Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Fordyce Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Hale Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Headquarters Saucer Magnolia

: Hot Springs National Park Hot Water Cascade

: Hot Springs National Park Maurice Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Maurice Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Ozark Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Ozark Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Ozark Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Ozark Gold Grenade

: Hot Springs National Park Quapaw Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Quapaw Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Quapaw Bathhouse Dome

: Hot Springs National Park Reserve Entrance

: Hot Springs National Park Reserve Entrance

: Hot Springs National Park Reserve Entrance

: Hot Springs National Park The Maurice Bathhouse

: Hot Springs National Park Visitors Center Fordyce Awning

: Hot Springs National Park Visitors Center Fordyce Baths

: Hot Springs Ohio Club Central Ave

: Hot Springs Ohio Club on Central Avenue

: Hot Springs Ohio Club on Central Avenue

: Hot Springs Old Sewer Cover Pentagram

: Hot Springs Plaza Hotel Central Avenue

: Hot Springs Plaza Hotel Central Avenue

: Hot Springs Red Tiles Central Avenue

: Hot Springs The Green Door Central Avenue

: Hot Springs The Green Door Central Avenue

: Hot Springs Tiles The Maurice Bathhouse

: Hot Springs Tiles The Maurice Bathhouse

: Hot Springs Tiles The Maurice Bathhouse

: Hot Springs, AR Central Avenue Cherry Trees

: Hot Springs, AR Central Avenue Cherry Trees

: Hot Springs, AR Central Avenue Cherry Trees

: Hot Springs, AR Central Avenue Cherry Trees

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Apricot Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Flowering Tree

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Flowering Tree

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Flowering Tree

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Flowering Tree

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza fuchsia Pink Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Mulberry Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Pink Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Purple Crocus

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Purple Crocus

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Rosy Pink Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Rosy Pink Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Rosy Pink Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Rosy Pink Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Splash

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Statue

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Statue

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Statue

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Purple Crocus

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Yellow Maroon Pansy

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Plaza Yellow Pansies

: Hot Springs, AR Hill Wheatley Purple Heart Commemoration

: Hot Springs, Arkansas Arlington Hotel

: Hot Springs, Arkansas Arlington Hotel

: Hot Springs, Arkansas Arlington Hotel

: Hoy Springs National Park Superior Bath House

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Saucer Magnolia

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Saucer Magnolia

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Saucer Magnolia

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Saucer Magnolia

: HSNP Arlington Lawn Saucer Magnolia

Special Thanks to the Hot Springs Fire Department and to the support of private property owners and the additional local, state and national agencies for keeping the fire under control, your team work ensured the success of this project. Anything that reduces the threat of wildfires will make our community a safer place to live and do business.
Kindest Thoughts and Wishes,
Lee and Rick

HOT SPRINGS COMPLETES SERIES OF DOWNTOWN BURNS ON FEB 28

Hot Springs, Arkansas – A small area behind downtown Hot Springs, between the city limits and the National Park, was burned in piles today as part of efforts of the Hot Springs Fire Department, the National Park, the Arkansas Forestry Commission, the City of Hot Springs officials, Lake Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department and Wheatley Properties. Never have so many agencies, across multiple jurisdictions, completed a burn of this nature in such close proximity to the downtown area.

“Today’s conditions provided for an almost perfect fire scene. It was a privilege to coordinate an effort that saw multiple agencies working in the same operation – and one that has been so important to increasing the safety of downtown Hot Springs,” said Incident Commander and Hot Springs firefighter, Bill Bradburry.

Lookouts were posted from either entrance to the hiking trail in the area. Additionally, ladder trucks, brush trucks and mobile water units moved with the crews as they lit each brush pile on this strip of land owned by Wheatley Properties. To ensure maximum safety precautions, only 2-3 brush piles were lit at once. From 8:30 am until 2 pm, 7 of the 10 total brush piles were burned.

The small flames today have successfully reduced the fuel load in this highly sensitive area. The results are threefold: 1) Most importantly, the wildfire safety of Hot Springs is greater thanks to less accumulation of dry, highly flammable fuels in this area so close to downtown; 2) This space is now cleared of excess debris and vegetation, which allows for easier water and emergency access should a fire ever start behind these downtown buildings; 3) Finally, this burn allows for an added barrier between overgrown brush and trees between the city and the National Park. More burns are planned for the future that can be completed more safely now because of added space between wildland and the downtown area.

Little smoke lingered in the city today as wind conditions lifted most of it out of the Historic District. With a bit of fresh rain, high humidity, and a little wind, the scene provided for safely lit burn piles. Besides a few hikers in the area, residents and visitors to downtown experienced little inconvenience.

The Hot Springs Fire Department and all participating agencies appreciate your cooperation with this downtown project. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call 501-321-6971. For further information about safe debris burning or wildfire safety education, visit www.arkansasforestry.org or call the AFC at 501-296-1940.

Press Release Courtesy of:
Adriane Harrell
Arkansas Forestry Commission
Public Information Officer, Firewise/USA

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