Lehman Hot Springs facts for kids
Lehman Hot Springs is a special place in Oregon where warm water naturally comes out of the ground. It's a resort located in the beautiful Blue Mountains, near a town called Ukiah. The springs are about 4,300 feet (1,300 m) above sea level.
Long ago, Native Americans were the first to use these hot springs. Later, pioneer settlers also discovered them. Lehman Hot Springs officially became a resort in 1871, offering a place for people to relax and enjoy the warm waters.
Today, Lehman Hot Springs is known for having the largest collection of natural hot spring pools in the Northwest. It's not open to the public for daily visits anymore. Instead, it's used by private groups and organizations.
History of Lehman Hot Springs
The hot springs have a long history. The water that comes from the ground is very hot, usually between 140 to 150 °F (60 to 66 °C). The resort's swimming pools are kept at cooler temperatures for comfort. The main pool is usually around 88 to 92 °F (31 to 33 °C), and the smaller pools are warmer, about 100 to 106 °F (38 to 41 °C).
In the early 1900s, a photographer named Walter S. Bowman took pictures of people enjoying the springs. He even captured images of a fun masquerade party held there.
The resort closed for a time in 1975. But in 1982, plans began to fix it up and reopen it. A family who owned Lehman Hot Springs for many years in the 1900s bought the property back in 2012. They worked hard to renovate and improve the facilities.
In 2013, the Umatilla County Health Department gave Lehman Hot Springs a special license. This allowed it to operate as a "Limited Use" pool and facility. This means it can be used by specific groups but not by everyone for daily swims.
