Development of Hot Springs National Park

Abstract

Hot Springs Reservation in Arkansas was set apart in 1832, and became a national park in 1921. It is the smallest and most urbanized national park in the United States. The reservation was intended to protect the hot springs with curative power from private exploitation. However, any protective measures were not taken by the government until 1877.
The first National Park Service Director, Stephen T. Mather made this area a national park, impressed with the popularity of the hot springs. Nevertheless, the status caused various embarrassment to both managers and visitors. When the boom of hot springs had gone after the Second World War, the historic value of the Bathhouse Row became evaluated. As the result, the National Park Service began to stress the cultural value of the park than the natural resources like springs.
Most visitors do not expect historic value to national parks. This park would be more appropriately managed as a historic park. There existed such a recommendation, but there would be strong local objection to the declassifying attempt.