Hot Wells Hotel Ruins — Attraction in San Antonio

The Hot Wells Hotel and Spa, located in San Antonio, Texas, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. The site was initially used by the Southwestern Lunatic Asylum to drill a well for water supply but instead discovered hot, sulfurous water. Recognizing the potential medicinal and recreational benefits of the water, a resort was established by Charles Scheuermeyer in 1892. McClellan Shacklett later leased the property and built a natatorium, drawing large crowds and offering various treatments and recreational activities.

However, the resort faced setbacks, including a fire in 1894 that destroyed the bathhouse. Shacklett rebuilt the facility but faced financial difficulties and was unable to realize his plans for expansion. In 1900, the Texas Hot Sulphur Water Sanitarium Company took over the lease and constructed a grand hotel and bathhouse complex. The resort flourished, attracting famous guests such as Will Rogers, Charlie Chaplin, Teddy Roosevelt, and Cecil B. De Mille.

The Hot Wells Hotel became one of the largest in the southwest, featuring luxurious amenities and attracting visitors from around the country. The property also served as a movie studio, hosting the Star Film Company and producing numerous films, including the first about the Battle of the Alamo. However, World War I and Prohibition negatively impacted the resort's popularity, and it eventually declined.

In 1923, the property was sold to a Christian Science congregation and converted into a parochial institute called the El Dorado School. The hotel served as a dormitory until it was destroyed by fire in 1925. The bathhouse survived, but the resort's glory days were over. In the following years, the site underwent various transformations, including the construction of tourist cottages and its conversion into a motel and trailer park.

Despite fires in 1988 and 1997, the remains of the bathhouse have stood for decades, with hopes of revitalizing the site. In 2018, plans were underway to incorporate the bathhouse into a new county park. The Hot Wells Hotel and Spa's legacy as a renowned vacation destination for the elite and its connection to the healing properties of hot springs continue to...

I've been walking this park going on 4 years. You could easily walk 12 or more miles. Plenty of trail to go through. I usually do 5 miles but I have walked up to 14 miles. The trail is easy on your shoes, make sure you take the appropriate gear for long walks. Short shorts, running shoes, and light colored shirts.

The Hot Well ruins in particular used to be a getaway for the rich, it had spas, and a deep pool for swimming. When looking at the ruins, it may not look extravagant, but if you imagine a roof over the ruins, you will notice that it is well preserved. It gives you an idea of what it use to look like. To the left of the pool, there are some abandoned homes hidden by the trees, although some homless may use them, it's interesting to see. To the right is a bar, quite pricy, but calming atmosphere, definitely...

Peaceful, relaxing , birds singing and letting your imagination dream. This is what I did when I visited this location. It's really peaceful l was able to just relax and take it in. I imagine all the different type of individuals that visited Hot Wells Springs and how it must have been way back in the day. A place that's just amazing I love the fact that my imagination was able to recreate what I believe took place there. This is such a great place for a picnic. Super clean location relaxing in the sun and just having a picnic would be a great opportunity to visit this place. After visiting this location just a few miles down the road are plenty of restaurants and shopping to do. Handicap parking and easy...