Hot Springs in Garland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Superior Bathhouse

— Hot Springs National Park —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

1. Superior Bathhouse Marker

Inscription. Compared to its elaborate neighbors, the Superior Bathhouse has a modest appearance. Its owners emphasized a therapeutic program and interior rooms where marble and brass fostered a hygienic environment. Known for “superior” service to patrons, it far surpassed the experiences of travelers to early bathhouses:

The sweat house is rudely constructed with boards which but partially exclude the air; and the mouth of it is stopped by a blanket. The patient has to come into the open air to dry himself, hurry on his clothes and go home. – Arkansas-Gazette, 1829

Superior Bathhouse had the longest continuous operation of all Hot Springs bathhouses before closing in 1983.

[Caption] In 1916, this building replaced the Victorian style Superior Bathhouse of the 1880s.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1983.

Location. 34° 30.891′ N, 93° 3.212′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is on Central Avenue south of Fountain Street, on the left when traveling south.

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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 329 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park AR 71901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hot Springs' Building Boom (a few steps from this marker); The Arlington Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Ohio and Southern Clubs (a few steps from this marker); Hale Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the State Capitol of Arkansas (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs Railway Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); Peak Trail (within shouting distance

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

2. Superior Bathhouse Marker

of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Also see . . . Superior Bathhouse. The smallest bathhouse on the Row, the Superior also had the lowest rates; it offered only the basic hydrotherapy, mercury, and massage services. (National Park Service) (Submitted on November 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.