Project Details Page

synopsis

The US Department of the Interior hired Frederick Law Olmsted to improve the grounds of the Arkansas reservation in 1892. The hot springs were public grounds and the government requested improvements to make the site more accessible. Olmsted proposed “to have foot-ways some four feet broad and graveled, going up the mountain immediately in the rear of the bath-houses

The US Department of the Interior hired Frederick Law Olmsted to improve the grounds of the Arkansas reservation in 1892. The hot springs were public grounds and the government requested improvements to make the site more accessible. Olmsted proposed “to have foot-ways some four feet broad and graveled, going up the mountain immediately in the rear of the bath-houses, by whatever course is deemed best, with suitable summer houses at intervals with benches, etc., and correspondingly, on the opposite mountain, together with walks through the town, leading to these places, and so easy of ascent that invalids can use them.” [FLO to R.R. Stevens_21-04-1892_LOC-OAR-B-R59_im.2] Disagreements between the firm and the contractors led Olmsted to remove himself from the job. The preliminary plan was not implemented, however it inspired the future design of the site.

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