Hot Springs in Garland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Lamar Bathhouse
Hot Springs National Park
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022
1. Lamar Bathhouse Marker
The present masonry Lamar Bathhouse, completed in 1923, has a symmetrical, California style of architecture. The large lobby contains nostalgic murals of historic landscapes, and country scenes. Art Deco stairs, signs, and lights decorated the building. Advertising “a tub for every-sized person,” the Lamar Bathhouse also featured a large sun porch to promote “natural health”.
Like many Victorian bathhouses, the wooden 1890s Lamar Bathhouse had “stickwork” decorations and railed roof walkways. An investigator wrote of the buildings vulnerability:
“All agree that the vapor from the hot water rots all timber with which it comes in contact in remarkably short time No more wooden buildings should be allowed.”
Captions:
Lamar Bathhouse in 1923
Sun porch of the first Lamar, about 1898
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Women. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.
Location. 34° 30.738′ N, 93° 3.222′ W.
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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: Buckstaff Bathhouse (a few steps from this marker); We Bathe the World (within shouting distance of this marker); Ozark Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Bathhouse Row (within shouting distance of this marker); The Flynn-Doran Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); Alerted at the Arlington (within shouting distance of this marker); First Circuit Court Site
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 9, 2010
2. Lamar Bathhouse Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 9, 2010
3. Lamar Bathhouse Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 948 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2, 3. submitted on December 12, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
