Places: Hot Wells, Rapides Parish Louisiana
Submitted by Gaytha Thompson



**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************

HOT WELLS
Hot Wells Health Resort


In 1913, an oil worker noticed hot water gushing from a drilling hole and
casually washed his hands in it. Because it felt good, he continued doing this
for several days and then noticed that a persistent rash on his hands was no
longer there. From that beginning, word got around and thousands have taken
the "cure" on its healing waters during the past half century. 

A syndicate bought the rights to the hot mineral springs and built a health
spa there soon after its discovery. In 1921, it changed hands and was operated
successfully until the depression hit. 

In 1936, the state of Louisiana stepped in to save the formerly fashionable
spa from obscurity but it was not until eight years later that the legislature
voted money for additional drilling and improvement. 

The Rapides Parish Jaycees leased the wells for three years, and put much
money and effort into it promotion, but gave it up when their lease expired.
Control went back to the state. 

Administrative control of the spa has been with the Rapides Parish Jaycees,
the state, and the parish, and is now under the supervision of the State of
Louisiana. Improvements are being made, the facility is being "pushed" by
local and state tourist organizations, and the spa has shown a phenomenal
increase in visitors with the past years. 

The resort features modern motel rooms, restaurants, and a swimming pool in
addition to the bath house with its steam rooms and a camping area for the
campers. 

The waters, containing two pounds of minerals to a gallon of water, bubbling
out of the ground from 2,800 feet below the surface at 116 degrees and is then
piped up the hill to the bath house.