• water flowing over rocks into basin

    Hot Springs

    National Park Arkansas

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  • Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center Closed

    The Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center is closed until Fall 2013 for a major maintenance project. A temporary park Visitor Center, along with the park store, are located in the Lamar Bathhouse at the south end of Bathhouse Row. Call for more information.

Fordyce Bathhouse

color photo of front of Fordyce Bathhouse from the norht side in front of the hexagonal based fountain. The building is tan and buff colored brick with a losenge pattern. The porch is covered by a copper marquee that has Fordyce Baths in stained glass panels on the overhanging front. All windows have ornate surrounds of glazed terra cotta.
The beautiful Fordyce Bathhouse now houses the Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center

The Fordyce opened March 1, 1915. Designed by Little Rock architects Mann and Stern and constructed under the supervision of owner Sam Fordyce's son John, the building eventually cost over $212,000 to build, equip, and furnish. Totaling approximately 28,000 square feet, the Fordyce is the largest bathhouse on the Row. It has three main floors, two courtyards, and a basement under most of the building. The Fordyce became the first bathhouse on the Row to go out of business when it suspended operations on June 30, 1962, but it was extensively restored by 1989 and is now enjoying a renaissance as a historically furnished museum. It also functions as the park’s visitor center.
Take a peek at some refurnished rooms.

Read a brief history of the Fordyce.
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader for this .pdf file.

Did You Know?

black and white head and shoulders shot of James Cary with ranger hat on and building in background

Hot Springs National Park Ranger James Cary was the first National Park Service ranger to be killed in the line of duty. He was shot by bootleggers while patrolling West Mountain on March 12, 1927.