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

Hot Springs' Resort Beginnings

— Hot Springs Central Avenue Historic District —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

1. Hot Springs' Resort Beginnings Marker

Inscription. The arrival of Josiah and Nancy Mellard in 1820 marked the beginning of the development of the village of Hot Springs into a resort. They built a double log cabin and operated their quarters as a hotel.

Erected by City of Hot Springs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1820.

Location. 34° 31.085′ N, 93° 3.322′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It can be reached from Central Avenue (Arkansas Route 7) south of Whittington Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the sidewalk next to a lamp post. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 128 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

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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: 126 (here, next to this marker); 122 (a few steps from this marker); Hot Springs' First White Settler (a few steps from this marker); 101 Central Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); Whittington Park (within shouting distance of this marker); “An Open Log Cabin and a Few Huts” (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs' First Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Founding Convention Assemblies of God April 2-12, 1914 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Also see . . . Josiah Millard Murder (1828 AR). The early Hot Springs innkeeper met an unfortunate end, according to this transcript of a news story in the July 16, 1828 edition of the Arkansas Gazette newspaper in Little Rock. (Sharon Gammon, Geneology.com, posted Feb. 17, 2004) (Submitted on November 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

2. Hot Springs' Resort Beginnings Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 346 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 23, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.