Harbin Hot Springs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harbin Hot Springs
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Retreat
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Harbin Hot Springs in 1915
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 Harbin Hot Springs
Location in California
Harbin Hot Springs
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Lake County |
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Harbin Hot Springs is a special place in Lake County, Northern California. It is a retreat and workshop center built around natural hot springs. The center is run by a non-profit group called Heart Consciousness Church.
The springs are named after Matthew Harbin, an early settler in the area. Harbin Hot Springs is about two hours north of the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2015, a big wildfire called the Valley Fire damaged much of the facility. It closed for a while but started to reopen in January 2019. Now, visitors can use the main pools, sauna, and a small cafeteria.
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Exploring Harbin Hot Springs
Harbin Hot Springs is located in a beautiful natural area. It is about 20 miles north of Calistoga. It is also 3.5 miles northwest of Middletown. The springs are found at an elevation of about 1,568 feet (478 meters).
The Natural Springs
Three main springs are found close together in a valley. They are known as the Arsenic, Iron, and Sulphur springs. These springs have different water temperatures. For example, the Hot Sulphur spring can be around 120.5°F (49.2°C). The Iron spring is about 118°F (47.8°C). There is also a Cold White Sulphur spring, which is cooler at 76°F (24.4°C).
A Look at Harbin's History
People have used these hot springs for a long time. Settlers started building baths and other structures here in the 1860s. Over the years, some buildings have burned down due to wildfires. But new ones were always built to replace them. In the 1920s and 1930s, postcards were made to advertise the resort.
In 2015, the Valley Fire caused a lot of damage to Harbin Hot Springs. Most of the buildings were destroyed. Luckily, the main pool area stayed mostly safe. After the fire, the center worked hard to rebuild.
Harbin Hot Springs Today
In 1972, a man named Robert Hartley bought the land. He wanted to create a center for personal growth. Later, in 1975, the Heart Consciousness Church took over. Today, Harbin Hot Springs is a retreat center. It focuses on well-being and personal development.
Watsu: A Special Water Therapy
Harbin Hot Springs is famous for something called Watsu. This is a special type of massage done in warm water. It was created by Harold Dull at Harbin in the early 1980s. Watsu involves gently moving a person's body through the water. This helps them relax deeply. Now, Watsu is practiced in spas all over the world.
