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

"A Handsome and Durable Structure"

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 22, 2026

1. "A Handsome and Durable Structure" Marker

Inscription. Along this hillside was the location of the Park Superintendent's residence. Overlooking Fountain Street, the house was built in 1891 at the request of Park Superintendent Frank Thompson to replace a small four-room wooden structure built by the first superintendent, General Benjamin Kelly.

Designed by architect S. Phillip Van Patten, the three-story home also functioned as the office for multiple superintendents. Park superintendents occupied this house until 1914, when Charles R. Trowbridge moved to the medical director's residence on Reserve Avenue.

Captions: Superintendent Frank Thompson commissioned the Superintendent's Residence in 1891. He lived in the house until 1893.

The house remained empty until 1921, when Assistant Superintendent George C. Bolton and his family occupied the residence. After Bolton retired in 1958, the house was removed and the hillside landscaped.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

Location. 34° 30.993′ N, 93° 3.104′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It

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is in Hot Springs National Park. It can be reached from Fountain Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Geology Rocks! (within shouting distance of this marker); Water Quality through Time (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Advocate for Nature (about 400 feet away); Erosion Effects (about 400 feet away); DeSoto Camp (about 400 feet away); A Landscaped Resort (about 400 feet away); The Arlington Hotel (about 500 feet away); Strolling the Grand Promenade (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 22, 2026

2. "A Handsome and Durable Structure" Marker

all markers in Hot Springs.

More about this marker. Marker can be found along the Grand Promenade

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 16, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.