Hot Springs (Big Bend National Park) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hot Springs
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Hot Springs cabins
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 Hot Springs
Location in Texas
Hot Springs
Location in the United States
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| Location | W of Rio Grande Village, Big Bend National Park, Texas |
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| Area | 115 acres (47 ha) |
| Built | 1909 |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000278 |
| Added to NRHP | September 17, 1974 |
Hot Springs, also called Boquillas Hot Springs, is a special historic site. It is located in Big Bend National Park in Texas. This place was once a popular resort. People visited to enjoy the warm, natural spring waters. J.O. Langford started developing the resort in 1909.
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A Special Place in Big Bend
Hot Springs became the first major tourist spot in this area. This was even before Big Bend became a national park. Long ago, Native Americans left petroglyphs (rock carvings) here. These carvings show that people have visited these springs for a very long time.
Langford's Story
J.O. Langford was from Mississippi. As a child, he became very sick. He heard about healing hot springs along the Rio Grande River. He hoped they could make him well again. In 1909, Langford and his family traveled to the springs.
When they arrived, another family was already living there. But Langford and his family worked together with them. Langford spent 21 days drinking and bathing in the spring water. He felt much better and regained his health.
Building the Resort
Before Langford arrived, there was a small stone tub for bathing. There was also a simple dugout home. The Langfords fixed up the dugout to live in. Later, they built an adobe house. They also built a stone bathhouse.
In 1912, the Langfords left the area for a while. It became unsafe due to bandits. They returned in 1927 and rebuilt the bathhouse. They also added a store. They built a "motor court" with seven attached cabins. This was like an early motel for visitors.
What the Buildings Looked Like
The buildings were made from local stone. Their roofs were wood with corrugated metal. Inside, the walls were smooth. Four of the motor court rooms had painted pictures on the walls. A long porch connected the cabins.
The Hot Spring Water
The hot springs are still there today. The water is about 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 Celsius). Visitors can still soak in the warm water. The water contains many natural minerals. These include sodium, potassium, and calcium.
The spring is sometimes covered by the Rio Grande River. This happens when the river water levels are high.
Visiting Hot Springs Today
You can reach Hot Springs by an unpaved road. It is about 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Rio Grande Village. This area is also known as Boquillas.
Hot Springs was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 17, 1974. This means it is an important historical site.
