Camas Hot Springs

Last updated

Camas Hot Springs
Big Medicine Hot Springs
Lemoreaux Springs
P15330coll22 20579 medium.jpg
Far right: Flathead elders Susie Magpie and Michael Wyateelame, pictured at Camas Prairie c.1917; third from right, Harold Flower (Denver Public Library Special Collections X-31065)
Camas Hot Springs
Location Flathead Indian Reservation, Little Bitterroot River Valley, Sanders County, Montana
Coordinates 47°36′25″N114°39′47″W / 47.607°N 114.663°W / 47.607; -114.663
Elevation2,800 feet (850 m)
Type geothermal
Temperature113 °F (45 °C)

Camas Hot Springs, also known as Big Medicine Hot Springs, is a group of historic hot springs in Hot Springs, Sanders County, Montana, United States.

Contents

History

Indigenous peoples and early settlement

Long before Euro-American fur trappers and settlers arrived in the Little Bitterroot River Valley where Hot Springs, Montana is located, the Kootenai, Flathead, Pend d'Oreille and Kalispell Indigenous peoples inhabited this area. [1] The Pend d'Orielles reportedly described the springs as "Big Medicine." [2]

Pierre-Jean De Smet, a Jesuit missionary, visited and wrote about the springs in 1842. He recorded that the local Native people used the thermal springs "after the fatigues of a long journey, they find that bathing in this water greatly refreshes them." [3] When Flathead Reservation was established, U.S. Congress set aside an 160-acre (65 ha) reserve around the hot springs as part of the organizing legislation. [3] [4]

The Great Falls Tribune reported that by 1905 the hot springs had primitive soaking pools, a hot spring water pool and mineral plunge built by townspeople, and hot mud baths, called a "corn hole" [5] that allegedly cured rheumatism. Built by Ed Lemoreaux, the pool was used until 1911. [6] One pool was later covered in gazebo and branded as the Fountain of Youth. [6] A Christian missionary who visited Camas in 1911 found "rather few permanent settlers, but some 200 dwellers in hotels and tents seeking benefit from the hot baths." [7]

Resort development of Camas Hot Springs c. 1911 Camas Hot Springs Montana circa 1911.jpg
Resort development of Camas Hot Springs c.1911

The first enclosed bathhouses were built in 1911. [6] [8] Camas Hot Springs was one of more than a dozen hot springs resorts operating in Montana in 1933. [9]

Tribe-owned bathhouse

A new tribe-owned bath house was constructed and opened in 1949, with "China-blue bath tubs and fine ceramic tile". [10] Native American Olympian Jim Thorpe was one of the 5,000 people who attended the grand opening, which included bison and elk barbecue sandwiches. [5]

By 1986 the pipes were clogged with mineral deposits, heating the building was prohibitively expensive, and the building around the long-empty pool was considered derelict. [11] The building was closed to the public in 1986. [12] The tribe leased it to a group of locals operating as the Cam Redevelopment Commission in 1989. [12] [13] The tribe funded a public park with springs access in 1991. [14] The tribe granted the redevelopment group access to 39,600 US gallons (150,000 L; 33,000 imp gal) of water per day from the bathhouse well. [15] The plan collapsed by 1995, although the "cornhole" pool had been made wheelchair-accessible using funds raised, and the group gave up their lease. [16] A local group named Friends of the Water helps keep the park clean and maintained, and pays insurance costs. [17]

Access

Outdoor soaking pools remain available to the public as of 2013. Leased from the tribe and operated by Leroy O'Bennick, the springs are now branded as Big Medicine Hot Springs. There is an admissions fee; cash payment on honor system. Tent and RV camping is available nearby, or visitors can rent rooms at Symes Hotel, a complex on the National Register of Historic Places, or Alameda's. [18]

Water profile

Plat map created c. 1916 showing location of springs and Hot Springs Reserve, Sanders County, Montana, created by Harold Flower for the U.S. government (NAID 232926092) BIA 1916 via NARA - Plat showing the Townsites of Camas and Pineville Sub-Agency and Hot Springs Reserves - Sanders County Montana.jpg
Plat map created c.1916 showing location of springs and Hot Springs Reserve, Sanders County, Montana, created by Harold Flower for the U.S. government (NAID 232926092)

The springs are geologically associated with the Selkirk Mountains in Washington. [19] According to NOAA, the water temperature where it emerges from the spring vent is 113 °F (45 °C). [20] According to a USGS water-supply paper, "In the reentrant of the [Bitteroot River] valley drained by Hot Springs Creek...springs are especially numerous. Many of them yield cold water and are of the ordinary seepage type, but a number of springs in this locality yield hot water and are known as the Camas Hot Springs. The Camas Hot Springs are near the northwest corner of sec. 3, T. 21 N., R. 24 W., near the outcrop of a large diorite sill that has a steep dip. The high temperature and the mineral character of the water indicate that it comes from considerable depth. A bathhouse has been built, and the springs are visited each year by hundreds of people who suffer from various ailments." [21]

The Camas mineral water is of a "carbonated alkaline silicious sulphureted water" type. [22] Specific minerals include calcium (4-7.2 ppm), magnesium (4-4.3 ppm), sodium and postassium (79-93 ppm), carbonate radicle [CO3] (55-56 ppm), bicarbonate radicle [HCO3] (96-110 ppm), sulphate radicle [SO3] (5.8-14 ppm), and chlorine (11-25 ppm). [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Springs, Montana</span> Town in Montana, United States

Hot Springs is a town on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Sanders County, Montana, United States. The population was 557 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bathing</span> Washing or immersing the body with water

Bathing is the act of washing the body, usually with water, or the immersion of the body in water. It may be for personal hygiene, religious ritual or therapeutic purposes. By analogy, especially as a recreational activity, the term is also applied to sun bathing and sea bathing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Springs National Park</span> United States National Park in central Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park is an American national park in central Garland County, Arkansas, adjacent to the city of Hot Springs, the county seat. Hot Springs Reservation was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832, to be preserved for future recreation. Established before the concept of a national park existed, it was the first time that land had been set aside by the federal government to preserve its use as an area for recreation. The hot spring water has been popularly believed for centuries to possess medicinal properties, and was a subject of legend among several Native American tribes. Following federal protection in 1832, the city developed into a successful spa town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public bathing</span> Buildings with swimming pools or other facilities for bathing

Public baths originated when most people in population centers did not have access to private bathing facilities. Though termed "public", they have often been restricted according to gender, religious affiliation, personal membership, and other criteria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spa</span> Location where mineral-rich spring water is used to give medicinal baths

A spa is a location where mineral-rich spring water is used to give medicinal baths. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments, which are also known as balneotherapy. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are especially widespread in Europe and Japan. Day spas and medspas are also quite popular, and offer various personal care treatments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banff Upper Hot Springs</span> Thermal springs in Canada

Banff Upper Hot Springs are commercially developed hot springs located in Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, near the Banff townsite. Europeans first became aware of the springs in 1883. As it has been developed since, the hot pool is outdoors and while in the pool, visitors can look across the valley to Mount Rundle. It is located at 1,585 metres (5,200 ft) of elevation, which makes it the highest hot spring in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Lake Hotel</span>

Hot Lake Hotel is a historic Colonial Revival hotel originally built in 1864 in Hot Lake, Union County, Oregon, United States. The hotel received its namesake from the thermal spring lakes on the property, and operated as a luxury resort and sanitorium during the turn of the century, advertising the medicinal attributes of the mineral water and drawing visitors worldwide. It is also the first known commercial building in the world to utilize geothermal energy as its primary heat source.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bathhouse Row</span> United States historic place

Bathhouse Row is a collection of bathhouses, associated buildings, and gardens located at Hot Springs National Park in the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The bathhouses were included in 1832 when the Federal Government took over four parcels of land to preserve 47 natural hot springs, their mineral waters which lack the sulphur odor of most hot springs, and their area of origin on the lower slopes of Hot Springs Mountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howard Springs, California</span> Resort in California, United States

Howard Springs is a set of springs turned into a resort in the 1870s in Lake County, California. The resort catered primarily to people interested in the curative powers of the mineral waters. Guests were accommodated in cabins or tents. At one time it had an official post office. The resort changed hands many times over the years, with various changes to the lodge, accommodations and bathhouses, until closing in 1970. For a period it was leased for geothermal exploration. Today it has reopened as a health resort.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McCredie Springs</span> Unincorporated community in the state of Oregon, United States

McCredie Springs are hot springs and a former resort in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located near Oregon Route 58, 10.7 miles (17.2 km) east of Oakridge, and 50.7 miles (81.6 km) east of Eugene, within the Willamette National Forest. It is known for the nearby natural hot springs along Salt Creek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Symes Hotel</span> Historic resort, Hot Springs, Montana

The Symes Hotel is a historic building in Hot Springs, Montana. It was built in Mission/Spanish Revival style during 1929–1930. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998; the listing included 10 contributing buildings and one contributing structure. It has also been known as Symes Medical Springs and as Symes Medicine Springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bimini Baths</span> Los Angeles natatorium (1903–1951)

Bimini Baths was a geothermal mineral water public bathhouse and plunge in what is now Koreatown, Los Angeles, California, US. It was situated just west of downtown, near Third Street and Vermont Avenue. Bimini Baths contained a natatorium, swimming pools, swimming plunge, Turkish baths, a medical treatment department, and bottling works.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Wells (San Antonio, Texas)</span> Historic spa

Hot Wells is the site of a cultural historical park in San Antonio, Texas. The park complements Texas' only World Heritage Site—the nearby San Antonio Missions National Historical Park—and the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River Walk. The park is located on the east side of the San Antonio River, directly across South Presa Street from the San Antonio State Hospital, along the tracks of the Southern Pacific Railroad and within sight of Mission San José across the river. Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the land was originally inhabited by Coahuiltecan peoples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buxton Baths</span> Listed buildings in Derbyshire, England

The Buxton Baths using natural thermal spring water are in Buxton, Derbyshire, England. The baths date back to Roman times and were the basis for developing Buxton as a Georgian and Victorian spa town. The present buildings of the Thermal Baths and the Natural Mineral Baths were opened in the 1850s. They are positioned either side of the Buxton Crescent at the foot of The Slopes in the town's Central Conservation Area. They are both Grade II listed buildings designed by Henry Currey, architect for the 7th Duke of Devonshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montezuma Hot Springs</span> Thermal springs

Montezuma Hot Springs, also known as Las Vegas Hot Springs, are a grouping of 20-to-30 thermal springs in the Montezuma unincorporated community of San Miguel County, near the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is a resort in Silver Bow County, Montana, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gregson Hot Springs</span> Thermal springs in Montana, United States

Gregson Hot Springs also known as Fairmont Hot Springs, is a geothermal hot spring system located in Silver Bow County, Montana. Over the years the mineral-rich hot spring water was thought to relieve rheumatism and arthritis among other ailments.

Wild Horse Hot Springs is located 2.5 miles (4.0 km) outside of the town of Hot Springs, in Lake County, Montana, United States. Wild Horse was developed in 1913 when a well driller hit 128 °F (53 °C) hot water, and has "private plunges, but little else." Wild Horse was originally known as Camp Aqua Bath House.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paso Robles Hot Springs</span> Thermal spring system in California

Paso Robles Hot Springs is a system of geothermal hot springs in the area of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County, California. They were developed in the late 19th and early 20th century.

References

  1. "National Register of Historic Places: Symes Hotel". Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  2. Madison, Erin. "'Limp in, leap out': Montana town touts healing waters". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  3. 1 2 "NHRP: Symes Hotel". p. 5.
  4. U.S. Senate (1913). "Camas Hot Springs Reserved". In Kappler, Charles J. (ed.). Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties. Vol. III (Laws, Compiled to December 1, 1913). 62d Congress, 2d Session, Document No. 719. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 222.
  5. 1 2 Inbody, Kristen (February 22, 2018). "Montana hot springs are cool now, but they were awesome in 1910". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
  6. 1 2 3 Birkby, Jeff (2018). Montana's Hot Springs. Arcadia Publishing. pp. no pag. ISBN   978-1-4396-6401-8.
  7. Johnson, Rev. Elmer H. (1911). "From a Home Missionary's Diary". The American Missionary. American Missionary Association. pp. 712–713.
  8. "Camas Hot Springs". Sanders County Signal. February 25, 1916. pp. A2. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  9. "Hot Springs in Montana 1933". The Billings Gazette. July 30, 1933. p. 15. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  10. Clark, H. McDonald (June 14, 1953). "Indians Own, Operate Hot Springs Bath House". Great Falls Tribune. p. 59. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  11. Schwennesen, Don (December 7, 1986). "Banking on the Baths". The Missoulian. Photographed by Dwan Feary. p. 41. Retrieved 2024-01-26. & "Baths: Reviving the Bath House". The Missoulian. December 7, 1986. p. 50. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  12. 1 2 Stromnes, John (April 23, 1989). "Health Spa Gets New Lease on Life". The Missoulian. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  13. "Hot Springs fights to shore its eroding economy". The Missoulian. December 10, 1989. p. 49. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  14. "Revival". The Missoulian. June 30, 1991. p. 57. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  15. "Bathhouse water rights resolved". The Missoulian. November 24, 1991. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  16. "Bathhouse plans fall through; group gives up lease". Char-Koosta News. April 14, 1995. pp. A1. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  17. Matthews, Mark (January 15, 1999). "Visiting Hot Springs Is Like Visiting the Past". Great Falls Tribune. p. 41. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  18. Birkby, Jeff (June 4, 2013). Touring Hot Springs Montana and Wyoming: A Guide to the States' Best Hot Springs. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 3. ISBN   978-1-4930-0269-6.
  19. Thermal springs in the United States (Report). 1937. doi:10.3133/wsp679b.
  20. Berry, G.W.; Grim, P.J.; Ikelman, J.A. (June 1980). Thermal Springs List for the United States (Report). Key to Geophysical Records Documentation No. 12. Environmental Data and Information Service National Geophysical and Solar-Terrestrial Data Center. Boulder, Colo.: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). p. 27. doi:10.2172/6737326.
  21. 1 2 Meinzer, Oscar E. (1916). Artesian Water in Little Bitterroot Valley, Montana (PDF). U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey Water-Supply Papers. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 20, 30–34. doi:10.3133/wsp400B. Water Supply Paper No. 400-B.
  22. "Camas Hot Springs". Sanders County Signal. February 21, 1913. pp. A3. Retrieved 2024-01-26.