Hot Springs South Dakota,  From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Hot Springs is a city in the county seat of Fall River County, South Dakota, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,729 with an estimated additional 4,000 out side the city in subdivisions and on small acreages In addition, neighboring Oglala Lakota County contracts the duties of Auditor, Treasurer and Register of Deeds to the Fall River County authority in Hot Springs.

Geography

Hot Springs is located at 43°26′N 103°29′W, in Fall River County at the southern edge of South Dakota's Black Hills. The Fall River runs through the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.61 square miles, all of it land. Hot Springs has been assigned the ZIP code 57747, 

History

The Sioux and Cheyenne people had long frequented the area, appreciating its warm springs. According to several accounts, including a ledger art piece by the Oglala Lakota artist Amos Bad Heart Bull, Native Americans considered the springs sacred. European settlers arrived in the second half of the 19th century. They first named the city "Minnekahta" after its Lakota name. It was renamed Hot Springs in 1882, which is a translation of the Native American name. A variety of health resorts were built on the tourism offered by the springs.

Tourism

Some of the attractions in the Hot Springs area are the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs and Evans Plunge, built in 1890, with its naturally warm 87 °F 31 °C spring water. The town is a great day drive to the attractions of the southern Black Hills, particularly Wind Cave National Park, Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park. Hot Springs in recognition of its historic value, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Hot Springs as one of its 2009 Dozen Distinctive Destinations. The city center contains over 35 sandstone buildings that offer a boutique hotel experience. 

The Angostura Reservoir, a 4,407 acres lake is located 10 miles southeast of the city and is a popular fishing, camping, and recreation area. Cold Brook Dam, which creates Cold Brook Lake is a 36 acre lake is located just north of the city, and Cottonwood Springs Dam and lake is located about 5 miles west all offer excellent fishing. Angostura offers some of the best Walleye fishing in the area.