For centuries before the arrival of European settlers, Native Americans visited the springs for their medicinal qualities. In 1673, Father Marquette and Jolliet explored the area and claimed it for France. Later, in 1763, through the Treaty of Paris, it was ceded back to Spain. Control of the land was again returned to France in 1800, until the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

Dr. George Hunter and William Dunbar conducted an expedition into the area in December, 1804. At that time, they discovered only one cabin but several smaller shelters or huts used by those visiting the springs.

In 1807, a Mr. Prudhomme became the first known resident of the area. Shortly thereafter, John Perciful and Isaac Cates became residents also.

According to the provisions of a treaty in 1818, the Quapaw ceded the land around the springs to the United States.

In 1819, Arkansas became a territory. Almost immediately the Arkansas Territorial Legislature requested that the hot springs and adjoining mountains be given protection as a federal reservation. Congress finally created the Hot Spring Reservation in 1832.

The start of the Civil War caused the bathing population in Hot Springs to decline. Following the Confederate loss at the Battle of Pea Ridge, the governor ordered all government personnel ,related records and important documents of state to be relocated to Hot Springs in anticipation of a Union attack on Little Rock. The Union didn’t attack Little Rock. However, there were few able-bodied men left in Hot Springs: most of the residents of Hot Springs left to avoid a battle.

In September of 1863, the Union Army occupied Little Rock. By this time, there were few people living in Hot Springs and it became the victim of marauding gangs from the Union and Confederate Armies. They pillaged and burned most of the town’s buildings.

Following the Civil War there was a great effort to restore the town and the bathhouses were soon rebuilt. The population soared to over 1200 residents by the time of the 1870 census. By 1873 Hot Springs could boast six bathhouses and twenty-four hotels, among them later in 1875, was the luxurious Arlington Hotel.

In 1874 a railroad track was laid from Malvern, Arkansas to Hot Springs, making access easier for vacationers.

From its start, Hot Springs attracted criminals. While the state of Arkansas had laws against much of what happened in Hot Springs, there was nobody there to enforce the law when it came to gambling. Judges and police officers simply turned a blind eye to these complaints. It is believed that they were paid off.

It finally became known that if you wanted to gamble without being arrested, go to Hot Springs. Also prostitution and bootlegging were allowed. In time, Hot Springs became a haven for criminals.