Recalling the Hot Springs Resort in Boyce Louisiana

Another Louisiana Themed post I am putting up.

When I started travelling the state a good bit Interstate 49 had pretty much been completed. With the exception at that time of the City of Alexandria (remember when you had to get off at the Turkey Creek exit and then navigate the traffic Circles in Alexandria!!!) it ran from Lafayette right to the city limits of Shreveport.

While it truly connected the North and South of the state it is amazing what one misses. All those towns you see on exit signs have mysteries and stories and sights that because of the Interstate perhaps are going to be a forgotten or not seen as we rush from City to City in Louisiana.

One of these towns north of Alexandria is Boyce. I never thought much of that town besides stopping to get beer there once for a football game. It is so close to Alex so why stop very often ? Well it appears that there was a major Hot Springs Spa was there at one time. Something called the Hot Wells Resort.

These Hot Springs it appears are located here and there all over the country. I do wonder if they had health benefits. It is truly sad to see this not in existence anymore. In fact I never have heard of it before today ,but it seemed to be a big place to go int the State at one time.

I ran across this site full of Louisiana photos. I intend to download some to use in Louisiana Catholic Blogger posts.

He has a section here on the Resort. There are many more pictures of what the resort looked like then and sadly now. In fact those building that he was lucky enough to get pictures of were just torn down last year.

He states on his picture page:

Hot Wells Resort Boyce Louisiana
In 1913, an oil worker noticed hot water gushing from a drilling hole and casually washed his hands in it. He continued doing this for several days and then noticed that a persistent rash on his hands was no longer there. From that beginning, word got around and thousands have taken the "cure" on its healing waters during the past half century.

A syndicate bought the rights to the hot mineral springs and built a health spa there. In 1921, it changed hands and was operated successfully until the depression hit. In 1936, the state of Louisiana stepped in to save the place.

I remember going there with my mother in the 1950's. I remember later in the 1980's going fishing at Cotile Recreation area which is adjacent, and taking a walk to show them the place. It looked then much similar to what it looks today. It is a shame that such a place has gone to ruin. In Spring of 2007, Hot Wells fell victim to the bulldozer. The buildings have been torn down.

Another part of Louisiana History gone with the Wind.