When the Hotel Hale opens sometime next year in the old Hale Bathhouse, only one of the eight bathhouses on Hot Springs’ Bathhouse Row will be empty. And Josie Fernandez, superintendent of Hot Springs National Park, is hopeful the Maurice won’t be vacant much longer.
That’s quite a change since Fernandez first came to the park in March 2004. At that time, only two of the bathhouses were in use, the Fordyce Bathhouse, which had closed as a bathhouse in 1962 but opened as the park visitor center in 1989, and the Buckstaff, which has been in continuous operation as a bathhouse since it opened in 1912.
“I did not realize the daunting task that I had before me,” she said. Her priority was to see the beautiful old buildings, all owned by the National Park Service, put to use, for a very good reason. “Vacant buildings also cost money, especially if what you’re trying to do is maintain them at a level that they don’t fall into further disrepair.”
An $18 million project rehabilitated and stabilized the six vacant bathhouses so they could be marketed to the private sector. In April 2007, developers including local architects Bob Kempkes and Anthony Taylor signed a lease on the Quapaw Baths.
“They were able to demonstrate that working with the federal government was not the daunting task that people had believed it to be,” Fernandez said. “That was a catalyst for everything that has happened.”
She sought to allay the developers’ concerns about too many government rules. “As much as I could, I was going to pick up the challenge of removing whatever barrier had existed,” she said.
The Quapaw opened for business as a day spa in June 2008. “Not only did they reopen the building to our standards and beautifully, but lo and behold, they’re making money,” she said.
“I have tried very hard to meet the needs of my business partner,” Fernandez said. “Everybody has a motive. Theirs is a profit, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Ours is the preservation of a building that has historic significance. And we’re going to accomplish both things in partnership.”
Superior Bathhouse Brewery opened in the old Superior structure in 2013. The Lamar Bathhouse houses offices for Park Service employees and the park store, Bathhouse Row Emporium. The Ozark Bathhouse serves as a cultural center, art gallery and event venue.
Last month, the Park Service issued a request for proposals for a long-term lease of the Maurice. Said Fernandez: “It’s the last opportunity on Bathhouse Row.”
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