Secret Hot Springs: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure takes readers on a captivating journey through the hidden corners of America’s Spa City. From its roaring past of illegal gambling, gangsters, and underground tunnels to the resilient spirit of its present-day charm, Hot Springs is a city that thrives on intrigue.

Discover the colorful stories of madams running brothels, law enforcement turning a blind eye to illicit gambling, and the harrowing yet inspiring history of the Black community’s fight for justice and equality. Uncover the unbelievable challenges posed by devastating fires and floods and the enduring allure of the coveted thermal spring waters, shrouded in myth, legend, and lore.

This guide delves into the quirky and the unexpected: cats trained as spies, a local man’s 8,000-mile journey across America with his pack pony and dog, and surprising connections to icons like Helen Keller, President Bill Clinton, and Guy Lombardo. It also celebrates modern-day Hot Springs, from thriving local businesses to a burgeoning art scene where murals tell stories beyond their paint.

Packed with vivid tales from local historians (and a few bone-shaking stories from the neighborhood kids), Secret Hot Springs is a love letter to a town teeming with eccentricity, resilience, and hope. Prepare to be sucked into a place where the past and present collide in the most extraordinary ways.