Hot Lake Hotel (also known as Hot Lake Resort) is a historic Colonial Revival hotel originally built in 1864 in Hot Lake, Union County, Oregon, United States.[3][4] The hotel received its namesake from the thermal spring 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.[5]
After a fire burned down over half of the hotel in 1934, the remaining building was used for various purposes, including a retirement home, and a nurse's training school during World War II.[6] After that, operations were intermittent under various owners before the building's abandonment in 1991. The hotel and surrounding structures were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.[2]
Today, it is operated as a hot springs resort with lodging, pub/eatery, movie theater, and hot springs soaking. Previous restoration done by the Manuels from 2005 to 2013 has been continued and expanded by new ownership as of 2020. Prior owners included future governor Walter M. Pierce and former state senator Parish L. Willis.[7]
Background
A portion of Hot Lake, as viewed from the hotel grounds
The hot springs that make up Hot Lake themselves rest at the foot of a large bluff, and were often used by Native Americans before settlement and colonization occurred in the area; the lake was named "Ea-Kesh-Pa" by the Nez Perce.[4] It is thought by historians that Hot Lake was one of the first thermal springs to be visited by European settlers,[8] and the springs themselves were documented by Washington Irving in his recording of Robert Stuart's explorations during the Astor Expedition in 1812.[9] Irving wrote in his record:
Emerging from the chain of Blue Mountains, they descended upon a vast plain, almost a dead level, sixty miles in circumference, of excellent soil ... In traversing this plain, they passed, close to the skirt of the hills, a great pool of water, three hundred yards in circumference, fed by a sulphur spring, about ten feet in diameter, boiling up in one corner. The place was much frequented by elk, which were found in considerable numbers in the adjacent mountains, and their horns, shed in the spring-time, were strewed in every direction around the pond.[10]
After the Oregon Trail expedition brought settlers into the area, the land surrounding the lakes was utilized as a cattle ranch, and was purchased by a sailor named Tommy Atkins.[11] An apocryphal story claiming that Atkins was cured of numerous health ailments after falling into the spring was published in The Oregonian in 1914 in a piece detailing the hotel's history.[11] The lake's spring bubbles nearly a half-million gallons of water each day, and the average temperature of the lake is around 200°F (93°C).[12]
History
1864–1906: Initial construction
In 1864, Samuel Fitzgerald Newhart, a native of California, arrived in the Grande Ronde Valley, and constructed the original wooden structure on the lake, which faced toward the bluff rather than outward toward the lake.[13] The structure was similar to the contents of a modern-day shopping mall, containing a post office, blacksmith, dance hall, barber shop, bath house, and several other businesses.
By 1884, the Union Pacific Railroad commenced its construction, running near Hot Lake. In 1903, construction began on a new hotel addition and various bath houses. Dr. Phy became involved with the project in 1904, and a brick structure intended for use as a sanitorium began construction.[11]
1907–1933: Heyday
An original examination table used in the hotel hospital
Well-renowned architect John V. Bennes of nearby Baker City has been attributed to the architectural design of the building, reminiscent of the Colonial era;[14] Bennes also designed numerous buildings on the Oregon State University campus, as well as several buildings in Portland.[15] In 1906, the main brick wing of the hotel was completed, which alone comprised 65,000 square feet.[13][16] The construct featured a Georgian-style U-shape with a solarium facing the bluff.[13] The building was heated with the geothermal waters, and was the first known commercial property in the world to use geothermal heating.[11][5]
Upon its expansion, the hotel housed a total of 105 guest rooms, a 60-bed surgical ward, a ballroom, a barber shop, confectionery, drug store, post office, bank, railroad depot, news stand, reception rooms, laboratories, and a commissary.[13] The resort featured state-of-the-art soaking tubs supplied by the spring water, as well as an operating room complete with an elevated observation deck, and a 1,500-guest dance hall.[17] The hotel came to be known by locals as "The Town Under One Roof," and was a mostly self-sufficient property, producing its own vegetables, dairy products, meats, and eggs.[13]
In 1910, the hotel grossed $178,811 in yearly revenue,[4] and the use of the building's geothermal heating system reportedly saved $15,000 per year in heating costs.[13] In 1911, a show barn was built on the property.[13] In 1917, Dr. W.T. Phy purchased the hotel and resort, renaming it "Hot Lake Sanitorium". The building was from then on known not only as a resort for the rich, but also as a hospital for the ill; the geothermal mineral waters from the springs were used and experimented with to help treat patients and guests, making the resort a pioneering figure in western experimental medicine.[4][18][19]
By 1924, the hotel had become a major tourist attraction, attracting visitors worldwide. The Mayo brothers, founders of the Mayo Clinic, were frequent visitors to the hotel, as well as Wild Bill Hickok.[18] Staffing fifteen nurses, four physicians, an X-ray technician, and a bacteriologist, the hotel garnered a reputation as "The Mayo Clinic of the West."[20]
A promotional advertisement from the Oregon Pacific Railroad promoted the purported healing properties of the waters, stating:
[Hot Lake Springs Resort] is the largest, hottest, and most curative springs known; best bathing facilities, most courteous attendants; first-class medical and surgical conveniences; finest operating room in the west; steam heat, electric lights; hot and cold water throughout the building[20]
Other advertisements touted the drinking of the water as relieving a variety of ailments, as well as claiming mud baths and poultice made with lake sediment as being beneficial for treatment of rheumatism.[21]
1934–1990: Fire and decline
Hot Lake Hotel in the aftermath of the 1934 fire
Dr. Phy, the central manager and owner of the property, died in 1931 of pneumonia. On May 7, 1934, a fire destroyed the majority of the building's west wing,[22] completely demolishing the wood structures of the hotel; the 65,000-square-foot (6,000m2) brick portion of the building, however, survived the fire.[16] Prior to the fire, the building had contained nearly 300 rooms and dining areas for over 1,000 guests. From then on, business at the hotel declined, and eventually the hospital area on the third floor was the only functioning business.
A flight school and nurse's training center was established at the hotel in 1939 during World War II,[4] and U.S. Route 30 was later built, with Oregon Route 203 branching off of it and running right by the front of the hotel grounds. In 1941, the property was acquired by A.J. Roth, and was converted into a nursing home for the aged in 1951.[13][23] The building functioned as a rest home until 1974 when ownership of the building changed, and a short-lived restaurant and night club was opened, which operated unsuccessfully for two years.[4]
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Lyle Griffith purchased the property and used one corner of the hotel as a bath house; by 1991, the bath house closed down, and the hotel was abandoned, falling prey to local vandals and the elements; however, an RV park constructed in 1988 operated adjacent to the hotel about a ½ mile away.[4]
1991–2002: Abandonment
The building sat abandoned and decrepit for over a fifteen-year period, in spite of having been purchased by the Seattle-based B.B.R. Holdings corporation.[4] Various stories circulated concerning reported hauntings in the hotel— it has been rumored to be haunted by vacationers, a gardener who committed suicide, and residents who lived in the building during its use as an insane asylum.
Local rumors and legend concerning the hotel were pervasive, and in 2001 the property was featured on the ABC documentary series The Scariest Places on Earth.[24]During this period the building was heavily vandalized with all 250+ windows broken, parts of the roof and floor missing, and it was completely abandoned.
2003–2019: Restoration
In 2003, the building, which was literally falling apart, was purchased from Charles and Louise Rhea by David Manuel.[25] Restoration began soon after; the building was greatly dilapidated, with all 368 windows broken and/or missing, and a sparsely-remaining roof. After two years of construction, it was opened to the public for tours in 2005, while individual guest rooms were still being sponsored and renovated.
In 2003, Despite setbacks (including the west wing collapsing in 2008), the Manuel family persevered.[26][6]
By 2010, the building functioned as a bed and breakfast, with restored rooms, a spa, restaurant, bronze foundry, and museum.[27]
In 2019, the Lodge at Hot Lake Springs emerged, renewed and ready to welcome guests. New features included a pub, upgraded rooms, a hot springs soaking area, and even a 60-seat movie theater. Two million gallons of mineral-rich hot springs water continued to flow daily from the Earth.[27]
2020 – Present: Rebirth
In April 2020, the owners of Grande Hot Springs RV Resort, located next door to Hot Lake Springs, took over management.[26][28]The hotel underwent significant upgrades in plumbing and electrical systems, fire suppression systems and structural improvements to revitalize the building.Community support for the project has been strong, recognizing its potential as a tourist destination and economic boost for the county. A movie theater is now open to the public, and outdoor spaces may host concerts.[26]
Notable historic preservation projects include the Grand Entry Porch, Veranda, Balustrade, and Historic Spring House.[27] The Lodge at Hot Lake Springs is currently open for overnight reservations.
In 2021, 15 renovated suites are for rent in the 65,000-square-foot hotel.[29]Guests have 24-hour access to the pools. There are future plans to add up to 25 more pools.[19]
In addition to its appearance on The Scariest Places on Earth, the hotel was also used as a shooting location for a music video by musician Laura Gibson.[32]
Disney's Wilderness Lodge is a resort hotel located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Opened on May 28, 1994, the resort is owned and operated by Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. Disney's Wilderness Lodge is located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area on Bay Lake. The resort is located near Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. A similarly themed resort, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, is located at the Disneyland Resort in California.
Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat & Conference Center, is a worker-owned co-op featuring holistic and spiritual retreats. It is surrounded by the Willamette National Forest in Marion County, Oregon, United States, 10 miles (16 km) east-northeast of Detroit along the West Cascades Scenic Byway and 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Mount Jefferson. The closest metropolitan area, Salem, is approximately 60 miles (100 km) to the west. The retreat center is located at the site of the historic Breitenbush Hot Springs, which drain into the adjacent Breitenbush River.
The Omni Homestead Resort is a luxury resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, United States, in the middle of the Allegheny Mountains. The area has the largest hot springs in the commonwealth, and the resort is also known for its championship golf courses, which have hosted several national tournaments. The resort also includes an alpine ski resort; founded in 1959, it is the oldest in Virginia. The resort has been designated a National Historic Landmark; it has a history extending more than two and a half centuries. The Omni Homestead Resort is a member of Historic Hotels of America the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Drakesbad Guest Ranch, also known simply as Drakesbad, is a resort near Chester, California. It is located on Hot Springs Creek at the head of Warner Valley, inside Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Crater Lake Lodge is a hotel built in 1915 to provide overnight accommodations for visitors to Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon, US. The lodge is located on the southwest rim of the Crater Lake caldera overlooking the lake 1,000 feet (300 m) below. The lodge is owned by the National Park Service, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As of 2024, the hotel is a Historic Hotels of America program member, and has been so since 2012.
Hunters Hot Springs are natural geothermal springs located in Lake County, Oregon, United States, 2 miles (3 km) north of Lakeview. The springs are named after Harry Hunter, who bought the springs in 1923. The best known feature within the geothermal area is Old Perpetual, which is Oregon's only continuously erupting geyser. The geyser was formed as a result of a well drilling attempt while Hunter was developing a health resort at the springs.
Medical Springs is a rural unincorporated community in Union County, Oregon, United States. It is located near the southern extremity of Union County on Oregon Route 203, just outside Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. It is located twenty miles southeast of Union and twenty-four miles northeast of Baker City.
Wilbur Hot Springs, formerly known as Simmons Hot Springs, is a naturally occurring historic hot spring approximately 22 miles west of Williams, Colusa County, in northern California. It is about 2 hours by car northeast of the San Francisco Bay Area. It was developed as a spa in the 19th century, and since its acquisition in the 1970s by therapist Richard Louis Miller, has been operated as a spa resort and personal retreat. The adjacent valley was added to the property as a nature reserve protected by covenant.
Scovern Hot Springs is a thermal spring system, and former settlement in the Kern River Valley of the Southern Sierra Nevada, in Kern County, California.
Castle Rock Springs was a resort Lake County, California built around a group of mineral springs, including one hot spring with relatively high volumes of water.
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.
The Warm Springs Pools are historic spa structures in the town of Warm Springs, Virginia. The name was changed in the 20th century from "Warm Spring Pools" to "Jefferson Pools" before being returned to its original name in 2021. The spa is part of The Homestead, a resort hotel in nearby Hot Springs.
The Callaghan Apartments, also known as the Plaza Apartments and Hotel and the Plaza Hotel, was erected in 1918 in Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming. It was at one time one of six hotels catering to tourists using the Big Spring of Thermopolis, a hot spring reputed to possess curative properties. The hotel was erected by bricklayer James Callaghan, who obtained a 98-year lease on the site commencing on January 1, 1918. Callaghan made his own bricks in a kiln he built on the site, completing the Callaghan Apartments in June 1918. He employed several nurses and a masseur for his guests. In 1921 Callaghan sold the property to Dr. P.W. Metz who renamed it The Plaza.
The Geiser Grand Hotel is a historic hotel in Baker City, Oregon, that opened in 1889. It received a restoration and reopened in 1993 after closing in 1968. Decorations include mahogany columns up to a high ceiling, Victorian-style chandeliers, and a stained glass ceiling. It was known as "the Queen of the Mines" during Gold Rush times and described as being the finest hotel between Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City with the third elevator built west of the Mississippi River.
McCredie Springs is a 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.
Historic Hotels of America is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that was founded in 1989 with 32 charter members; the program accepts nominations and identifies hotels in the United States that have maintained their authenticity, sense of place, and architectural integrity.
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is a resort in Silver Bow County, Montana, United States.
Truth or Consequences Hot Springs is a thermal spring system located in the Hot Springs Artesian Basin area of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico in Sierra County.
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.
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.
↑ Duffy, Lizzy (October 29, 2014). "Oregon's Most Haunted Places". Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Archived from the original on December 20, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
Barklow, Irene (1987). From Trails to Rails: The Post Offices, Stage Stops and Wagon Roads of Union County. Enchantments Publishing of Oregon. ISBN0-9618185-0-6.
Birkby, Jeff (2014). Touring Hot Springs Washington and Oregon: A Guide to the States' Best Hot Springs (2ed.). Rowman & Littlefield.
Cleveland, Cutler J.; Morris, Christopher G. (2015). Dictionary of Energy (2ed.). Elsevier.
Smitten, Susan (2001). Ghost Stories of Oregon. Lone Pine Publishing, Inc. ISBN1-894877-13-6.
Further reading
Roth, Richard R. The Hot Lake Story (2008) Heritage Quest Press, Orting, Washington ISBN978-0-9821849-0-5
Roth, Richard R. The Hot Lake Story - Heritage Supplement (2011) Heritage Quest Press, Orting, Washington ISBN978-0-9821849-5-0
Roth, Richard R. The Hot Lake Story - 2012 Supplement (2012) Heritage Quest Press, Orting, Washington ISBN978-0-9821849-6-7
Roth, Richard R. The Central Railroad of Oregon - Oregon's Blue Mountain Route (2015) Heritage Quest Press, Orting, Washington ISBN978-1-62859-027-2
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