Chinati Hot Springs

Chinati Hot Springs, also known as Ruidosa Hot Springs and Kingston Hot Springs, are volcanic thermal springs and historical oasis located north of Ruidosa, Texas in the Big Bend region of the Chihuahuan Desert, near the town of Presidio.

Chinati Hot Springs
Ruidosa Hot Springs
Kingston Hot Springs
Locationnear Presidio, Texas
Coordinates30°2′16.8″N 104°35′52.8″W
Elevation3,500 feet
Typegeothermal spring
Discharge75 gallons per minute
Temperature113°F/45°C

Water profile

The hot mineral water emerges from the spring at 113 °F / 45 °C.[1] The water contains minerals that allegedly help conditions such as arthritis, skin problems and stomach ulcers.[2][3] Mineral content includes aluminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, nitrate, selenium, strontium, thallium, tritium, vanadium, and zinc.[4]

Geography

The hot springs are situated in the northeast section of the Presidio Bolson ten feet above Hot Springs Creek, and emerge from Quaternary terrace gravels. The springs are located between two forks of the Candelaria fault. A volcanic Tertiary rock outcrop plunges towards the spring.[5]

History

The hot mineral waters were used by Native Americans for hundreds of years, and later by early settlers in the area.[6]

In 1896 the springs and the surrounding 1,200 acres were acquired by Annie Kingston and her husband, Bill.[7][6] In 1937 they built a bathhouse and seven cabins, and named the facility Kingston Hot Springs, developing it into a public rustic resort with horse-trough soaking tubs. Later the property was managed by Bill Kingston's sister, Bea Paul and her cousins.[8]

In 1990, the springs were purchased by the artist, Donald Judd who closed the springs from public access into private use only by him and his friends.[9][10][11] In 1997, The photographer, Richard Fenker, purchased the springs from the Judd estate, and returned it to its former public-access status.[6] Fenker formed a not-for-profit corporation for the property, and set up workshops on medicinal plants of the deserts of the Southwest, desert photography, among other topics.[12] In 2005 the property was purchased by Jeff Fort III who further developed the site and created a policy restricting public use only to paying guests of their accommodations.[13]

Location

The springs are located at 30°2′16.8″ N 104°35′52.8″ W in the Big Bend region of Texas.[1]

See also

References
  1. Berry, George W.; Grim, Paul J.; Ikelman, Joy A. (1980). Thermal Springs List for the United States. Boulder, Colorado: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 40.
  2. Clary-Carpenter, Ashley. "Chinati Hot Springs: Land of Ahhhs". Texas Co-op Power. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  3. Altman, Nathaniel (2000). Healing Springs: The Ultimate Guide to Taking the Waters. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781594775437. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  4. Mayo, C.M. "The Spell at Chinati Hot Springs". "Marfa Mondays: Exploring Marfa, Texas & Environs" Podcast #8. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  5. Henry, Christopher D. "Geologic Setting and Geochemistry of Thermal Water Assessment, Trans-Pecos Texas". Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  6. Gersh-Young, Marjorie (2010). Hot Springs and Hot Pools in the Southwest. Santa Cruz, California: Aqua Therma. pp. 94–95. ISBN 978-1-890880-09-5.
  7. "Kingston Hot Springs". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  8. "Taking the Waters (Away)". Texas Monthly. May 1990.
  9. "We're going to big bend but we don't want to stay in the usual places". Texas Monthly. June 2000. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  10. "Kingston Hot Springs Sells to Donald Judd". Marfa Independent and Big Bend Centennial. 5 April 1990.
  11. Williford, Glenn (21 June 1990). "Closing of Kingston Hot Springs Leaves Public Questioning Its Future". Precidio International.
  12. "Chinati Hot Springs". Winter Texans Online. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  13. "Chinati Hot Springs: A rugged oasis in Big Bend". Dallas News. February 27, 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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