BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS REGION City of Hot Springs “SOAK IN” HOT SPRINGS Before the arrival of the white man, the Black Hills were known by the surrounding Native American population as a winter sanctuary from the brutal cold and blizzard blasts of the Northern Plains. And, then as now, the area of Hot Springs was particularly prized as the most in-viting refuge in the sheltering mountains. For under the surface of this beautiful river valley are numerous hot springs (hence the town’s name) that have served to relax and rejuvenate visitors to the area for hundreds of years. This warm water resource has much to do with how the town developed and the role it serves today, both as a vacation destination and as a growing regional arts mecca and cultural center. Pioneer businessman Frederic Evans was among the first to see the commercial potential in the therapeutic healing waters. In 1890, he erected a building enclos-ing the largest natural warm-water spring. With a flow rate of nearly 5,000 gallons per minute, Evans Plunge Mineral Springs never contains the same water; there’s an entire change-over every hour and a half. Evans also constructed the first, and perhaps most magnificent, of the town’s distinctive sandstone edifices – the Evans Hotel – with sandstone from his own quar-ries. Eventually, Hot Springs built an entire downtown district comprised of more than 35 sandstone struc-tures. In recent years, an array of gift shops, art galleries, restaurants and accommodations have restored the unique downtown interiors. A HISTORIC RESORT From its earliest beginnings in the mid-1880s, Hot Springs established itself as a destination for those seeking renewal – physically, mentally and spiritually. Hot Springs has claimed fame as the Black Hills’ home for “Wellness Tourism.” 80 EVANS PLUNGE MINERAL SPRINGS Open year-round, Evans Plunge is still a preeminent attraction in Hot Springs, and a nice warm soak in the 87 degree mineral waters is a supreme luxury. Try out HOT SPRINGS CONTINUED ON PAGE 84 »
South Dakota Vacation Guide SD Vacation Guide 2017: Page 80
