Hot Springs, South Dakota
Sadly, this little town, like so many others across the nation, has seen better days. It was once a thriving resort for vacationers seeking both natural beauty and the purported healing properties of the myriad local hot springs. Numerous spas were built, but like its namesake in Arkansas, its popularity waned as people more and more began to adopt more scientific based methods to treat ailments and/or maintain health. It also didn't help that a fire ravaged the great spas built late in the 19th century. The little town is, however, doing relatively well compared with many other cities its size (about 3700), as it certainly has a lot going for it. For one, it lies within the Black Hills, for another, Wind Cave National Park is nearby, as is Custer State Park (don't let its "mere" designation as a state park fool you, it's a wonderful area, full of beauty--mountains, rugged granite spires, forests, prairie, and amazing amounts of wildlife). Then, there is the Mammoth Site--where an ancient sinkhole trapped many of the eponymous creatures, along with many others. There is an active exploration of the site by paleontologists, which can be viewed by visitors. Finally, there is the town itself which presents an attractive appearance, owing in part to the fact that most of the buildings are made from the same material, Lakota Sandstone. The large building in the foreground is the Evans Hotel--now a residential retirement center. On top of the hill is the old VA center, the main building of which is quite beautiful (the VA has been debating its future for some time now). The stream that runs through town and can barely be glimpsed in the lower left, is fed by many hot springs, keeping its temperature at over 80 degrees even in wintertime. I hope to revisit the place someday, but who knows. There are so many places I want to visit.
Hot Springs, South Dakota
Sadly, this little town, like so many others across the nation, has seen better days. It was once a thriving resort for vacationers seeking both natural beauty and the purported healing properties of the myriad local hot springs. Numerous spas were built, but like its namesake in Arkansas, its popularity waned as people more and more began to adopt more scientific based methods to treat ailments and/or maintain health. It also didn't help that a fire ravaged the great spas built late in the 19th century. The little town is, however, doing relatively well compared with many other cities its size (about 3700), as it certainly has a lot going for it. For one, it lies within the Black Hills, for another, Wind Cave National Park is nearby, as is Custer State Park (don't let its "mere" designation as a state park fool you, it's a wonderful area, full of beauty--mountains, rugged granite spires, forests, prairie, and amazing amounts of wildlife). Then, there is the Mammoth Site--where an ancient sinkhole trapped many of the eponymous creatures, along with many others. There is an active exploration of the site by paleontologists, which can be viewed by visitors. Finally, there is the town itself which presents an attractive appearance, owing in part to the fact that most of the buildings are made from the same material, Lakota Sandstone. The large building in the foreground is the Evans Hotel--now a residential retirement center. On top of the hill is the old VA center, the main building of which is quite beautiful (the VA has been debating its future for some time now). The stream that runs through town and can barely be glimpsed in the lower left, is fed by many hot springs, keeping its temperature at over 80 degrees even in wintertime. I hope to revisit the place someday, but who knows. There are so many places I want to visit.