Hot Springs History

Grand old Arlington Hotel in danger of shutdown

Is Arkansas about to lose a famous— and infamous—piece of its history? Many Twin City residents have visited the mountain resort town of Hot Springs. Some travel there regularly to enjoy the racetrack, old downtown buildings, the national park, the local lakes and the restaurants and nightlife. Back in what some call the good old days and others remember not quite as fondly, visitors hit the Spa City for a taste of illicit pleasure. Gambling casinos and bookie joints ran wide open. Bars sold mixed drinks—something forbidden by state law in those days. And there were places where ladies of the afternoon and evening welcomed visiting gentlemen.

Hot Springs attracted big names from the entertainment, sports and political world. And it drew some underworld types who preferred to keep their names out of the headlines.

They all came to the Arlington Hotel, the grandest hostelry in Hot Springs. even when the town had several big and brassy hotels. People still flock to the hotel. Guest still check in, drawn by the atmosphere and history. The lobby and great veranda are popular gathering places, and many look forward to weekends when a band plays and people dance in the lobby. But after nearly a century, the elegant old lady is showing her age.

So much so the city recently shuttered 47 rooms for safety reasons. And now the entire hotel has been threatened with closure unless specified interior and exterior repairs are made by Nov. 8.

It must be admitted the Arlington has suffered from neglect for a long time. Maintaining a building of that vintage isn’t cheap, and for years it’s been a lot of patch and paint. Now it looks like the day of reckoning is fast approaching.

The longtime owners of the Arlington recently sold the hotel to a group of investors. But that deal could fall through if the hotel is condemned.

It looks like the hotel is in a tough spot indeed.

Guest safety is, of course, essential. So we can’t fault the city for stepping up. We hope though the owners, perhaps with old and new working together, can come up with a plan to save the Arlington. The hotel is a big part of Hot Springs history and allure. The town wouldn’t be the same without it.