Castle Hot Springs



View of the famous Castle Hot Springs from the riverbed.

    Taking the opportunity while exploring the equipment graveyard on the beginning stages of Castle Hot Springs Road, I shed some early morning clothes.  Even though the temps were 'unseasonably cool' according to the weather service, under the blazing sun, I was feeling the heat.


Well manicured somewhat dry lawns still abound.

 Remounting the 350, I continued west on the dry riverbed, following the course that Mother Nature, not government engineers, had planned.  In a short distance I once again came across Castle Hot Springs.  Back in 1865, then commander of Fort Whipple, Colonel Charles Craig, had defeated a group of Apache raiders, in the vicinity of Salvation Peak.


Local Rancher's truck climbing from the riverbed

 While there, they stumbled on the healing waters that those same Apaches revered... calling the place Castle Creek Hot Springs.  In 1896, the first actual resort opened and by the twenties and thirties, famous Americans including the Vanderbilt's, Rockefeller's and well known westerns' writer Zane Grey, had established bungalows here.




Very pretty spot even today.

Local word is that Hollywood celebrities often came for a discreet clandestine getaways with 'friends'.

During WW2, many convalescing G.I.'s spent what I would say, were pleasurable and peaceful times here.



A great little day ride from my home in Glendale!



Given the three continually filling thermal pools, and the total peace and tranquility, you can easily see why it was used as such.

I'm told that Arizona's first telephone was installed here and it's number was appropriately enough... # 1.

The residents of Crown King may dispute that claim as they say they had telephone service in 1897.

Regardless, even though the resort has been closed for decades (after a 1976 fire destroyed much of it) it's still a wonder to gaze upon, while munching a sandwich.