Hot Springs, North Carolina
| Company type | Municipality |
|---|---|
| Industry | Tourism, Spa services |
| Founded | 1800 |
| Headquarters | Hot Springs , United States |
Area served | Asheville metropolitan area |
| Products | Spa services, Outdoor recreation tourism |
| Website | www |
Hot Springs is a municipality located in Madison County, North Carolina, United States, with a population count of 520 recorded in the 2020 census. Situated within the Asheville metropolitan area, the town lies adjacent to the Appalachian Trail and the French Broad River, close to the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Known for its natural thermal springs, extensive hiking paths, and mountain town atmosphere, Hot Springs draws visitors interested in outdoor activities and tourism.
History
Positioned where the French Broad River converges with Spring Creek, Hot Springs hosts the only documented natural thermal spring in both North Carolina and much of the southeastern United States. This mineral spring, with a temperature of 108 °F (42 °C), has been a destination for those seeking health benefits for more than two hundred years. Initially utilized by Native American tribes, it was later frequented by European settlers. By 1778, its therapeutic qualities were well acknowledged.
The earliest recorded proprietor of Warm Springs was Jasper Dagy, who transferred ownership to William Neilson in 1791. Neilson established an inn, while Philip Hoodenpile constructed an estate, operated a ferry service across the French Broad River, and maintained the toll road known as Jewel Hill Road. Accessibility improved significantly following the 1828 completion of the Buncombe Turnpike.
In 1831, James Patton, a businessman from Asheville, acquired the springs and by 1837 had built the Warm Springs Hotel, which boasted 350 rooms and featured thirteen towering columns representing the Thirteen Colonies, along with a dining hall accommodating 600 guests. The arrival of the railroad in Hot Springs occurred in 1882. After a fire destroyed the hotel in 1884, it was replaced by the Mountain Park Hotel in 1886.
Following the discovery of a hotter spring, the town's name changed from Warm Springs to Hot Springs in 1886. The resort included sixteen marble bathing pools set within manicured lawns that also offered croquet and tennis facilities, establishing it as one of the Southeast’s most opulent retreats. In May 1917, during World War I, the hotel and surrounding grounds were leased to the United States Government to serve as an internment camp for German and Austro-Hungarian noncombatant aliens; many internees chose to remain in the area after their release. The hotel suffered another fire in 1920; although two more hotels were subsequently constructed, neither matched its grandeur or scale, and both eventually succumbed to fire.
On September 27, 2024, Hot Springs and its historic district experienced significant flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
Geography
Per data from the United States Census Bureau, Hot Springs encompasses a total area of , consisting of land covering and water making up 8.96% of this area.
2020 census
| Race | Count | 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 reported by the 2020 United States census, Hot Springs had a population of 520 individuals residing in 223 households with a total of 143 families.
Economy
The thermal mineral springs are under private ownership by businesses specializing in spa services and accommodations, with water channeled into outdoor tubs situated along both the river and Spring Creek. The community capitalizes on these natural resources to attract tourists, providing outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and scenic exploration within the adjacent Pisgah National Forest. The Appalachian Trail runs directly through the town center, further boosting its attractiveness to visitors. Moreover, the local economy benefits from recreational opportunities like rafting and kayaking on the French Broad River.
Hot Springs Historic District
In 2009, the Hot Springs Historic District earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Additional landmarks on this register include Dorland Memorial Presbyterian Church, the Henry Ottinger House, and Sunnybank.
External links
- Towns in Madison County, North Carolina
- Spa towns in the United States
- Towns in North Carolina
- Hot springs of North Carolina
- Internment of German Americans
- Populated places established in 1800
- Asheville metropolitan area
- North Carolina populated places on the French Broad River
- World War I prisoner-of-war camps in the United States