Alma Mater of President Bill Clinton

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

1. Alma Mater of President Bill Clinton Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Mary Madden and Tonia Jones, 7/1983:
Hot Springs High School is a four-story symmetrical structure designed in the Late Gothic Revival style, most closely following the English or Perpendicular Gothic traditions. This is most clearly seen in the three main entrances — one on the front facade and one on each end. All three entrances are distinguished by Tudor arches and are flanked by octagonal towers with crenellated tops. The area between the towers and above the entrances is filled by windows and terra cotta decoration. The terra cotta details include various crests, the name of the school, and the date of construction, all in relief. The towers of the front facade are also decorated by vertical strips of terra cotta at each corner of the octagons.

Excerpt:  Hot Springs High School was built in 1914 by the now famed Sanguinet & Staats architectural firm as a large, Late Gothic Revival structure located near the center of Hot Springs. It was segregated in the school's early history, with African American

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

2. Alma Mater of President Bill Clinton Marker

The marker is mounted at eye-level on the right side of the historic Hot Springs High School entrance.

students able to attend Langston High School starting in 1913. Bill Clinton graduated in 1964. In 1988, this school building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

After Hot Springs High School moved to its current location on Emory Street in 1968, the old building was used as the Central Junior High until 1992. In 2006, the historic facility was repurposed as 32 housing units for persons with disabilities, as the Hot Springs High School Lofts.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

3. National Register of Historic Places Marker

(also mounted on right side of the front entrance)
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

4. Historic Hot Springs High School Cornerstone

Hot Springs High School
Erected 1914
———
Architects
Sanguinet & Staats
———
Builders
G. Hartmann Cont’g Company
———
Board of Directors
———
W.S. Sorrells, President
C.E. Marsh, Secretary
Hamp Williams • S.P. McKeehan • H.A. Jones
H.C. Covington

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

5. Historic Hot Springs High School (west/front elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  The Late Gothic Revival characteristics of the school are most evident on its imposing facade, which focuses on the central entrance bay. Here the red brick exterior is sharply contrasted by relief sculpture detail in terra cotta. Twin towers with crenellated caps, a distinctive feature of the Late Gothic Revival style, flank the entrance and rise above the fourth story of the building. Gothic detailing is also evident in the use of Tudor arches for entrance and detail and the polychrome contrast of brick and terra cotta throughout the exterior. To either side is a recessed area that is predominantly filled by windows. Most of the windows are double hung nine-over-nine. Above the windows is a simple terra cotta hood molding. At each end of the facade there is a projecting bay.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

6. Historic Hot Springs High School (south elevation)

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

7. Historic Hot Springs High School (northwest elevation)

(“bridge” to the newer building is on the left)From the National Register Nomination:  The junior high building or "annex" is attached to the high school or main building in only one place. This is a bridge which runs from the north end tower entrance to the newer building. Several similar details are used on both buildings, such as Tudor arches and projecting bays for entrances and red brick with contrasting white terra cotta and stone highlights.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

8. Historic Hot Springs High School (southwest elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  Prominently sited atop a hill near the central business district of Hot Springs, the Hot Springs High School Building is significant as the area's most impressive example of Late Gothic Revival architecture.