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Hot Springs, North Carolina
Town of Hot Springs
Downtown Hot Springs and the French Broad River, as seen from a Appalachian Trail viewing point.
Downtown Hot Springs and the French Broad River, as seen from a Appalachian Trail viewing point.
Location of Hot Springs, North Carolina
Location of Hot Springs, North Carolina
Country United States
State North Carolina
County Madison
Area
 • Total 3.13 sq mi (8.12 km2)
 • Land 2.87 sq mi (7.43 km2)
 • Water 0.27 sq mi (0.69 km2)
Elevation
1,332 ft (406 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 560
 • Estimate 
(2019)
577
 • Density 201.26/sq mi (77.70/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
28743
Area code(s) 828
FIPS code 37-32840
GNIS feature ID 1012224
Website hotspringsnc.org

Hot Springs is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 560 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is a resort town, reliant on the tourist economy of its namesake springs, and being situated near the Appalachian Trail and the French Broad River.

Geography

Hot Springs is located at 35°53′44″N 82°49′52″W / 35.89556°N 82.83111°W / 35.89556; -82.83111 (35.895577, -82.831023).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2), of which, 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2) of it (8.96%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 695
1900 445 −36.0%
1910 443 −0.4%
1920 495 11.7%
1930 637 28.7%
1940 773 21.4%
1950 721 −6.7%
1960 723 0.3%
1970 653 −9.7%
1980 678 3.8%
1990 478 −29.5%
2000 645 34.9%
2010 560 −13.2%
2019 (est.) 577 3.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Hot Springs racial composition
Race Number Percentage
White (non-Hispanic) 460 88.46%
Native American 1 0.19%
Asian 2 0.38%
Other/Mixed 48 9.23%
Hispanic or Latino 9 1.73%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 520 people, 223 households, and 143 families residing in the town.

History

Hot Springs is located at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek. A natural hot spring is also located here, the only such spring known in North Carolina and in much of the southeastern United States. Thus, this area has long since been a destination for those looking for therapeutic relief from their ailments. Native Americans were the first to discover the 100°+ Fahrenheit (about 37° Celsius) mineral waters, and European immigrants settled the area over 200 years ago. It is reported that people were visiting the springs by 1778 for the waters' reported healing properties. In 1828, a major road was constructed through the current town, the Buncombe Turnpike, making the area more accessible.

By 1831, James Patton of Asheville bought the springs and had erected 350 room Warm Springs Hotel with its 13 tall columns representing the 13 original colonies in 1837. The dining room of this large hotel could seat 600 people. The railroad reached the village - then called Warm Springs - in 1882. The hotel burned in 1884 after 46 years of operation. Another hotel, called the Mountain Park, was built in 1886. A higher temperature spring was found, prompting the changing of the town's name from Warm Springs to Hot Springs in 1886. Sixteen marble pools were surrounded by landscaped lawns with croquet and tennis courts, and it was known as one of the most lavish resorts in the Southeast. By May 1917, the hotel and grounds were leased to the US Government to be used as an internment camp. Many German and Italian internees, noncombatant aliens, made local friends and stayed in the region after World War 1. That hotel burned in 1920, and two more were built - neither as large and opulent and both later burned as well.

Hot Springs Historic District

Hot Springs Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in February 2009. Also listed on the National Register of Historic Places are Dorland Memorial Presbyterian Church, the Henry Ottinger House, and Sunnybank.

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Economy

Today, the hot mineral springs are privately owned by a spa and private lodging rental businesses. Water is piped to outdoor tubs beside the river and Spring Creek. The town itself is becoming ever more popular as a modern tourist destination, for aside from the springs, outdoor recreation is abundant in the area. The Appalachian Trail runs along downtown's Bridge Street and climbs the mountains on either side of the river. Rafting and kayaking is popular on the French Broad River itself. There are numerous other hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and sightseeing opportunities in the nearby Pisgah National Forest.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hot Springs (Carolina del Norte) para niños

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