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

Advocate for Nature

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 22, 2026

1. Advocate for Nature Marker

Inscription. Stephen T. Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, developed a special bond with Hot Springs after visiting on an inspection tour in 1915. Often, Mather was found enjoying the treatments offered by bathhouses instead of attending department meetings.

He was a frequent visitor to the springs throughout his life. Mather's devotion helped convince Congress to convert Hot Springs Reservation into a national park in 1921.

Captions: Mather worked tirelessly for the protection of all the natural wonders under the care of the National Park Service. In the image above, he is inspecting the trails at Glacier National Park, a favorite part of his job.

Director Stephen T. Mather speaking at the National Conference on State Parks held at Hot Springs National Park in 1925.

Stephen Mather at Happy Hollow.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Stephen Tyng Mather series list.

Location. 34° 30.948′ N, 93° 3.153′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland

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County. It is in Hot Springs National Park. It is on Central Avenue. 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: Water Quality through Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Strolling the Grand Promenade (within shouting distance of this marker); Geology Rocks! (within shouting distance of this marker); DeSoto Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); “A Modern and First Class Hotel” (within shouting distance of this marker); Thermophiles (within shouting distance of this marker); A Landscaped Resort (within shouting

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, March 22, 2026

2. Advocate for Nature Marker

distance of this marker); Pleasure Drive Through Nature (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of 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 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 8 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.