Not to be bleak about it, but it’s just true that existing things, even things we love, will eventually disappear. We’re all lucky that Dogpatch U.S.A. has had benefactors. Arkansas is riddled with abandoned buildings and ghost towns, but perhaps no story is more poignant than that of the once stately hotel in Hot Springs: the Majestic Hotel & Bathhouse. It’s a somewhat familiar story of declining interest turning into closure and neglect, and a raging fire that delivered the final blow.
Back in its heyday, the Majestic Hotel was a beautiful place in Hot Springs that people from all over came to enjoy.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM
The hotel was built in 1902, and remained a charming part of Hot Springs until declining occupancy lead to its closure in 2006.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM
The hotel was destroyed in a fire in 2010.
Youtube/Abandoned Arkansas
The Majestic was left to deteriorate for six years.
Youtube/Abandoned Arkansas
In that six years, the hotel became a haunting place.
Flickr/Kyle N.
Though there were many efforts to save the hotel, including a Facebook page called Save Her Majesty: Restoration of The Majestic Hotel and a movement of Hot Springs residents on the ground, sadly this once proud hotel has been demolished . . .
Youtube/Abandoned Arkansas
. . . what remains after the hotel’s disappearance are the memories made there, and this haunting video that you’ll definitely want to watch.
Flickr/Boston Public Library
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM
Youtube/Abandoned Arkansas
Flickr/Kyle N.
You’ll find more abandoned places here. For a road trip through the Natural State’s most abandoned places, click here.
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