Soak-in the history

In order to “soak-in” the fascinating history of Saratoga’s famous mineral hot springs and Hobo Pool folks are invited to come to the Saratoga Branch Library for a pictorial slide show by local historian Dick Perue Thursday evening, Nov. 14th, beginning at 6:30.

Friends of the Saratoga Library urge everyone to enjoy the stories and photos portraying not only the history, but some of the lore, legends and a few tall tales of the town’s most precious asset. Come for the show and stay for refreshments and conversation which may include a few repeatable blurbs “heard at the hot pool.”

Plus, as with the Hobo Pool, the program is “always open and free to the public.”

The history lesson extends from the Indian influence to the present day information concerning the springs.

Today’s promotional information relates:

Located on the edge of the Upper North Platte River, at the east end of Walnut Avenue in Saratoga, the Hobo Pool is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at no charge. The historic original mineral hot springs is located at the Saratoga Hot Springs Hotel and is available only to guests and clients of the former Saratoga Inn.

The hot springs were originally discovered by the Indians, who frequented the area. They believed the springs to have healing properties. However, as the white man moved to the area, the pools were utilized as an attempt to stop a smallpox epidemic which raged among the Native Americans. After nearly every inflicted person died of the disease, the springs were considered bad medicine by the Indians and abandoned.

As the springs began to become popular with the white man, in the late 1870s a settler built a three-room house, complete with two hot tubs installed, for locals and weary travelers. The settlement was called “Warm Springs” and later renamed “Saratoga”

People suffering from rheumatism, eczema, stomach trouble, kidney and blood disorders, and several other skin diseases, heard of the healing properties of Saratoga's hot mineral water, and began to frequent the area just to soak in the pools.

Mineral hot water at the Hobo Pool site was originally contained into a couple of pools by the CCC boys in the 1930’s as a project to expand the Saratoga State Park. The town of Saratoga acquired it from the state in 1983, and it continues to monitor and maintain the springs. The Hot Pool has a heated bath house facility for changing or showering.

The Hobo Pool contains three distinct areas, the “lobster pot” which averages 118 degrees, the main pool which runs from 108 to 112 degrees and the “not-so-hot” section which usually reads close to 100 degrees. For those who enjoy a cooler dip, several homemade pools exist in adjoining Spring Creek.

Due to the high temperatures, soakers are encouraged to drink plenty of water, which is only allowed in plastic containers.

No alcoholic beverages, no smoking and no glass containers are allowed in the pool area. Also watch your language and nude swimming comes at a hefty price tag of a $200 fine.

Doctors advise visitors to avoid the pool after consuming alcohol, and while smoking, as the constriction of blood vessels can lead to passing out.

If you feel lightheaded while soaking, you should get out of the pool immediately and drink plenty of water.