Small Southern Hometown

There is nothing quite like growing up in a small, Southern tourist town. Hot Springs, Arkansas’ claims to fame stretch a mile long: America’s first National Park, birthplace of Major League Baseball Spring Training, home of Oaklawn race track and the Arkansas Derby, favorite hiding place of Al Capone in the 1920’s, hometown of President Bill Clinton, home of the internationally acclaimed Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival…the list goes on and on.

For me, it’s just home. Until recently, I never realized what a blessing it is to have so much history and uniqueness at my fingertips. Yes, I definitely grumble during the summer and horse racing seasons when our little city is overwhelmed with tourists, but I’ve come to appreciate the people who travel from all over the country and the world to bet on our horse races, tour Bathhouse Row, and relax on our many lakes.

Historic Downtown Hot Springs includes the gorgeous National Park Bathhouse Row on one side of the street, where people from all over the world traveled to “heal” themselves in the hot water boiling up from the ground beneath our city. And on the other side are the quirky and quaint souvenir shops, trendy boutiques, and restaurants. I absolutely love wandering down both sides of the street, taking in everything I might have missed last last few dozen times I’ve roamed down there. I love the shopping, the restaurants, and the history, but most of all, I love photographing it all. The beautiful architecture on both sides of the street just begs to be admired and photographed. All of it is just breathtaking. Here is the place I grew up and that I am blessed to call home.

Hot Springs National Park Bathhouse Row