Garland County, Arkansas

Aristocrat Motor Inn Army & Navy Memorial Lodge Army and Navy General Hospital Historic District Bathhouse Row Beauchamp, Walter, House Belding-Gaines Cemetery Bellaire Court Historic District Brown, W. C., House (Additional Documentation) Buckville Cemetery Butchie's Drive-In Camp Clearfork Historic District Carpenter Dam CCC Company 3767 Powder Magazine Historic District Central Methodist Episcopal Church South Charlton Bathhouse Charlton Spillway-Dam Citizens Building City Cemetery Cleveland Arms Apartment Building Clinton, Bill, Boyhood Home Cottage Courts Historic District Cove Tourist Court Doherty House Federal Building-U.S. Post Office and Court House First Lutheran Church First Methodist Church Christian Education Building First Presbyterian Church Fordyce House Fordyce-Ricks House Historic District Forest Service Headquarters Historic District Garland County Courthouse Gillham House Green, Harley E., House Greenwood School Hill Wheatley Downtowner Motor Inn Hollywood Cemetery, Confederate Section Hot Springs Central Avenue Historic District Hot Springs Central Avenue Historic District (Boundary Increase) Hot Springs Confederate Monument Hot Springs High School Hot Springs National Guard Armory Hot Springs Railroad Warehouse Historic District Humphrey's Dairy Farm Humphreys-Ryan House Interstate Orphanage Iron Springs Dam Iron Springs Shelter No. 1 Iron Springs Shelter No. 2 Jack Tar Hotel and Bathhouse Joers, Peter Dierks, House Jones School Joplin, Peter, Commercial Block King-Neimeyer-Mathis House Klein, George, Tourist Court Historic District Kraemer-Harman House Langdon Filling Station Lyell, Van, House Lynwood Tourist Court Historic District Malco Theatre Martin, William H., House Mayberry Springs Medical Arts Building Missouri-Pacific Railroad Depot-Hot Springs Moore, W. H., House Mountainaire Hotel Historic District Old Post Office Opal's Steak House Orange Street Presbyterian Church Ouachita Avenue Historic District Park Hotel Parkway Courts Historic District Passmore House Perry Plaza Court Historic District Plaza Apartments Pleasant Street Historic District Quapaw-Prospect Historic District Riviera Hotel Rix, Charles N., House Short-Dodson House South Fork Bridge St. Luke's Episcopal Church Stitt House Taylor Rosamond Motel Historic District Tribble, Dr. Albert H., House Visitors Chapel AME Wade Building Whittington Park Historic District Wildwood Williams, Hamp, Building Williams-Wootton House Woodmen of Union Building

Garland County, Arkansas has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Caddo, Osage, Quapaw, and Cherokee. Evidence of these early inhabitants can be found in the form of burial mounds and artifacts throughout the county.

In the early 19th century, European settlers began to arrive in the area. One of the most significant events in Garland County's history was the establishment of Hot Springs as a health and leisure destination. The discovery of thermal springs with healing properties attracted visitors from all over the country, leading to the development of the city and the construction of bathhouses, hotels, and other amenities.

During the Civil War, Garland County experienced its fair share of conflict. Although predominantly pro-Union, many residents were divided in their loyalties. The Battle of Hot Springs, which took place in 1862, saw Union forces successfully repel a Confederate attack and maintain control of the area.

In the years following the war, Garland County continued to grow and evolve. The city of Hot Springs became known for its entertainment and gambling industry, attracting famous figures such as Al Capone and Babe Ruth. Today, the county remains a popular tourist destination, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its historical sites, enjoy natural beauty, and indulge in the healing waters of Hot Springs National Park.
Brief timeline of the history of Garland County, Arkansas:

  • 1800 - Native American tribes, such as the Quapaw, inhabit the land that will become Garland County.
  • 1807 - The United States acquires the land from the Louisiana Purchase.
  • 1832 - The Quapaw Tribe signs a treaty with the US government, ceding their land to the government to make way for European American settlement.
  • 1832 - Garland County is established and named after Augustus H. Garland, who served as the attorney general under President Grover Cleveland.
  • 1836 - The first permanent settlers arrive in Garland County, primarily from the southern states.
  • 1836 - The county's first post office is established in Hot Springs, the county seat.
  • 1875 - The Hot Springs National Park is established, becoming the first national reserve in the US.
  • 1892 - The first electric streetcar system is installed in Hot Springs, connecting the city's different areas.
  • 1913 - The Fordyce Bathhouse opens, becoming one of the most luxurious bathhouses in Hot Springs.
  • 1920s - Hot Springs becomes a popular destination for organized crime figures, who open illegal gambling establishments and casinos.
  • 1940s - 1950s - The decline of illegal gambling leads to the growth of the tourism industry in Hot Springs, focusing on family-friendly attractions and natural thermal springs.
  • 1983 - The Central Avenue Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, showcasing the city's historic architecture.
  • 2010 - The population of Garland County reaches over 96,000 people, marking significant growth over the years.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Garland County, Arkansas.