F … Exploring Hot Springs Traditional Cache

F is for Fire!

Hot Springs received damaged from a few major fires from its history. One of Hot Springs’ fieriest hours formed on September fifth, 1913, when the most ferocious fire in the history of Arkansas flounced the city. Approximately fifty-five to 60 blocks were destroyed, causing an estimated loss of $10 million. Approximately 2,500 people were left homeless. Miraculously, no casualties occurred and only four persons were faintly burnt. This was quite a fearsome blow to the city, particularly since it had just recovered from a comparable disaster in 1905 when twenty-five blocks were devastated by fire.

The flames originated on Church Street a few blocks southeast of the famous Bathhouse Row, near the Army and Navy Hospital, where a forgetful laundress had been ironing. A stiff fall wind quickly spread the fire westward. Malvern Avenue, a fashionable residential area, was soon in flames. The magnificent Park Hotel there was demolished. One eyewitness saw the wind hurl a “ball of fire” into an open window on the fourth floor of the hotel.

The flames swept on forward to Central Avenue. The Ozark Sanitarium, Hot Springs High School, and the Central Methodist Church were all destroyed. Along the way it consumed the Public Utilities plant. A sudden shift in the fall wind turned the flames footprints down Ouachita Avenue and up Quapaw, away from the downtown area. On Ouachita the Garland County courthouse was gutted. Despite their efforts numerous family homes, at least a hundred businesses, four hotels, the Iron Mountain Railroad facilities, and the Crystal Theater went up in flames. Even the lower portion of West Mountain was fiery.

The destruction of the water company and power house coupled with the thousands of outlets opened by the burning of buildings resulted in dry water mains and a shortage of water with which to fight the fire. Frustrated fireman Thomas Newton Cain said that Fire Chief Henry Higgins tried using a four -inch hose to battle the flames , but lacked enough water pressure to stop the blaze. Within minutes it was apparent that the fire fighting force of Hot Springs was found failing in their attempts and an appeal was made to Little Rock for aid. They rushed over on a special train. As the fire got out of hand, he said, “there was no stopping it.” More than 6,000 feet of hose was destroyed last night and many of the local department horses rendered unfit for further duty.

A rainstorm finally fell quenched the blaze at Hazel Street. Streets leading out of the area were lined with a fury of people. All available buggies and wagons were loaded with family possessions, and some people were on foot , carrying all they could. Firefighters were able to save Central Avenue, including the bathhouse and many hotels, through the desperate use of dynamite. Although much of the southern half of the city was destroyed. Damage was estimated at $10,000,000 across 60 blocks. Around 2,500 homeless persons found temporarily facilities and camped in the vicinity of the currently race track and the old fair grounds.

The next day, several hundred volunteer firemen were working on the ruins in fear that the smoldering embers might be fanned into flames again. Under orders of Mayor McClendon, all saloons are forced closed. Two hundred and fifty citizens sworn in as a special police force at a mass meeting held while the fire was at its height. Even with water supplies were cut off, there were numerous cold springs throughout the city furnishing sufficient water for all purposes. For the time being, business generally was at a standstill.

The more your log online includes words that start with the letter of the cache, the more interesting the logs will be. If this cache needs attention let me know.