Hot Springs is a town in Madison County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 645 at the 2000 census.

Geography

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Hot Springs is located at (35.895577, -82.831023).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 9.0 km² (3.5 mi²). 8.2 km² (3.2 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (8.96%) is water.

Demographics

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As of the census of 2000, there were 645 people, 293 households, and 176 families residing in the town. The population density was 79.1/km² (205.1/mi²). There were 368 housing units at an average density of 45.1/km² (117.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.45% White, 0.47% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.47% Asian, and 0.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.31% of the population.

There were 293 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the town the population was spread out with 21.4% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $20,714, and the median income for a family was $30,882. Males had a median income of $30,714 versus $20,781 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,497. 24.4% of the population and 16.1% of families were below the poverty line. 25.8% of those under the age of 18 and 29.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty level.

History

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Hot Springs is located at the confluence of the French Broad River and Spring Creek. A natural hot spring is also located here, the only such spring known in North Carolina and in much of the southeastern United States. Thus, this area has long since been a destination for those looking for therapeutic relief from their ailments. Native Americans were the first to discover the 100+ degree mineral waters, and European immigrants settled the area over 200 years ago. It is reported that people were visiting the springs by 1778 for the waters' reported healing properties. In 1828, a major road was constructed through the current town, the Buncombe Turnpike, making the area more accessible.

By 1831, James Patton of Asheville bought the springs and had erected 350 room Warm Springs Hotel with its 13 tall columns representing the 13 original colonies in 1837. The dining room of this large hotel could seat 600 people. The railroad reached the village - then called Warm Springs - in 1882. The hotel burned in 1884 after 46 years of operation. Another hotel, called the Mountain Park, was built in 1886. A higher temperature spring was found, prompting the changing of the town's name from Warm Springs to Hot Springs in 1886. Sixteen marble pools were surrounded by landscaped lawns with croquet and tennis courts, and it was know as one of the most lavish resorts in the Southeast. By May 1917, the hotel and grounds were leased to the US Government to be used as an internment camp. That hotel burned in 1920, and two more were built - neither as large and opulent and both later burned as well.

Today, the springs are privately owned as a spa. Water is piped to outdoor tubs beside the river and Spring Creek. The town itself is becoming ever more popular as a modern tourist destination, for aside from the springs, outdoor recreation is abundant in the area. The Appalachian Trail runs along downtown's Bridge Street and climbs the mountains on either side of the river. Rafting and kayaking is popular on the French Broad River itself. There numerous other hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, and sightseeing opportunities in the nearby Pisgah National Forest.

Source: http://www.hotspringsnc.org/-History

External links

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Madison County, North Carolina | Spa towns | Towns in North Carolina