November 27, 2009

When the Civil War erupted in 1861, railroad agent Samuel Fordyce, shown here in about 1870 with his wife, Susan, enlisted in the First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. During his military service, he participated in many actions. Years after the war, he visited Hot Springs (Garland County), seeking the benefits of the waters for his many wartime injuries. Recognizing the potential financial benefits of the springs, he became a leading force in the development of the area into a major health resort. Today, the bathhouse that serves as the visitor center of Hot Springs National Park bears his name.