Al Capone's Haunt - Hot Springs, Arkansas

Steam escaping in street from underground hot spring

Easter Display in Arlington Hotel

Al Capone Suite

Hotel Porter making sure Murray didn't steal from Al Capone's suite!

Murray turns the Tommy gun on Al Capone

We were farewelled from Fordyce by Sandy & Joe Bill just after a Rotary lunch where Joe Bill's brother (John Benton) led everyone in a rousing local railroad song. See video below. Joe Bill is in yellow shirt and Sandy the black with her arm on his shoulder. We then had a very pretty 2 hr drive west to Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The natural thermal spring waters that provide water heated to 147 F/64 C created today's popular spa city of Hot Springs. Long before the white man arrived in 1673, American Indians were bathing in the warm, mineral water for its healing properties. As you drive along the street you can see the steam escaping into the air. Bath houses became popular, and the main street became known as Bathhouse Row. After the civil war, illegal gambling took hold and attracted notorious gangsters like Al Capone. Now gamblers have it all legalised in Las Vegas. At the end of Bathhouse Row stands the magnificent Arlington Hotel, where Al Capone had his own suite - Room 443 if you want to check it out. In the entry foyer they have set out an Easter Display which I thought I would share with you!

On the 4th floor is the original Arlington bath house, and Cindy & Mike had recently booked in for 'the works' and highly recommended it to us. As it is something neither of us had ever experienced, we arranged to have the same treatment. Women on one side, men on the other. First you have a 20 min soak in a private hot, mineral bath, followed by a sauna. Then you are wrapped in towels soaked in the hot mineral water and left lying quietly for 20 mins. Very relaxing. From there you have a rinse in the shower before enjoying a 20 minute Swedish massage. Most enjoyable.

The day before, we had got permission and checked out Al Capone's suite - it gets rented out as a special request hotel room, and we were fortunate it was not occupied the day we visited. With his appetite whetted, Murray decided to check out the Gangster Museum down the street. He enjoyed learning about the gangster history as it was played out in this city. That was our 3rd visit to Hot Springs.