If you own a home or a business, you should already know that at some point, you will need to hire an electrician in cityname to fix electrical issues and maintain your property's wiring systems. Unfortunately, many people forego certified, experienced electricians to save money. The reality is, trying to fix an electrical issue in your home or business is no small task and often costs more money than hiring a professional. Working with electricity can be dangerous to your property and, more importantly, your health.
It might seem like a good idea to try a DIY approach or call your "do it all" local handyman, but going pro will save you time and money when it comes to serious projects like thermal imaging and three-phase panel installations. Think about it: why spend money buying expensive supplies and countless hours watching electrical repair videos when there's a good chance you'll need professional help in the end? Many DIY electricians have good intentions but often end up damaging electrical systems worse than before.
At Engineered Electrical Solutions, we get the job done right the first time, so you can focus on enjoying life while we fix your electrical problem. We bring the same level of quality and reliability to every job we perform, whether it's a routine safety inspection or a whole home electrical installation. Unlike some electricians in South Carolina, we go above and beyond to ensure our customers are safe and satisfied with our work. We pride ourselves on keeping customers informed throughout their electrical job and follow up on our projects to make sure our fixes stick.
At the end of the day, excellent customer care is what we strive to achieve. We do so by providing the highest quality commercial and residential electrical services at affordable prices, all year long. Here are just a few reasons why Lowcountry residents trust Engineered Electrical Solutions:
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Any homeowner with a little confidence can open their YouTube app and search for DIY fixes for residential electrical problems. To be fair, many minor fixes in the home don't require a pro. With that said, electrical work is not something you should tackle on your own. Trying to perform an electrical repair on your own can be counterproductive at best and fatal at worst. In fact, around 400 people are electrocuted at home every year, and almost half of those result in deaths.
Why put yourself and your family at risk when Engineered Electrical Solutions can get the job done safely and effectively for you?
Our expert electricians only work with the best materials available and provide a three-year guarantee on all labor - no questions asked. We never
compromise quality for time and always give our clients realistic schedules to accommodate their busy lives.
During the course of the year, we serve many Lowcountry homeowners just like you, who know they need a professional
electrician to help.Some of our most common residential electrical services include:
If you're having electrical problems in your home, one of the quickest, most efficient ways to find out what's going on is with professional troubleshooting. At Engineered Electrical Solutions, our highly-trained, licensed technicians have years of experience diagnosing and remediating residential electrical problems across South Carolina.
If you're having electrical problems in your home, one of the quickest, most efficient ways to find out what's going on is with professional troubleshooting. At Engineered Electrical Solutions, our highly-trained, licensed technicians have years of experience diagnosing and remediating residential electrical problems across South Carolina.
Installing a new electrical panel or upgrading your current one can be a great way to protect your home from electrical issues. It controls the entire electrical system of your home and, when properly installed and maintained, can last for years without problems. Replacing or updating your electrical panel can prevent short-circuiting and overloaded circuits and offer features like arc fault protection.
If your electrical panel seems to be malfunctioning, don't try to troubleshoot the mishap by yourself. At Engineered Electrical Solutions, our team will come to your home to inspect your electrical panel's wiring, so you don' have to. Once we diagnose the problem, we'll offer suggestions based on your needs and budget.
An electrical safety inspection is essentially a thorough examination of your home's electrical system. Using National Electric Code guidelines, our residential safety inspectors will examine your home's electrical systems, wiring, and components (like appliances) to ensure they meet safety standards. Once we're done, your electrical inspector will give you a thorough checklist to look over, including electrical problems that need attention ASAP. We will also suggest areas of improvement and possible areas where upgrades are needed. In our experience, homeowners need electrical safety inspections when they:
High-tech appliances, kitchen gadgets, and computers are all vulnerable to power surges caused by lightning storms. When too much electricity runs through your home's connecting wires, it can fry the circuits in your most expensive electronics. Since many professionals in today's society work from home, losing critical documents and files can be catastrophic.
That's why it's a good idea to consider whole-home surge protection. Surge protection for your home suppresses fluctuating power by diverting excess electricity to a ground wire. If you're interested in learning more about surge protection for your home, call our office today to learn more about the options we can install for you.
Having a reliable electrician on hand that you can trust with electrical repairs is of utmost importance when you own a business in South Carolina. For years, Engineered Electrical Solutions has provided business owners with the most effective electrical repair and installation services in the Lowcountry. Our team is adept at assisting businesses of all sizes, from small "mom and pop" shops to industrial plants and everything in between.
We offer a wide range of electrical services, from electrical panel installation and business rewiring to transformer installation and thermal imaging. Modern businesses count on energy-efficient electricity to help run their day-to-day operations. If you need your electrical systems to run smoothly so you can stay focused on building your business, count on Engineered Electrical Solutions to be there when you need us the most.
A few of our most popular commercial and industrial electrical services include but are not limited to:
Commercial and industrial-sized buildings are large and complex by the nature of their construction. By proxy, commercial buildings have complicated wiring and electrical systems. Electrical work in the commercial market is best left to experienced, licensed professionals. If you're looking for the very best commercial electricians in Metro Heat Springs, Engineered Electrical Solutions is here to serve you.
We have completed hundreds of commercial electrician projects for companies like Blue Oyster Restaurant, Shell Gas Stations, Flex Warehouses, Dentist Offices, and many more. With the most up-to-date equipment and years of professional experience, our team is ready to tackle your electrical problem, no matter how large.
A few of our most popular commercial and industrial electrical services include but are not limited to:
Your businesses' electrical system will trip when it has too much electricity running through it. These problems are very common in commercial properties and usually stem from one of three culprits: circuit overloads, short circuits, and ground fault surges. Obviously, when your circuits are tripped regularly, your business operations suffer. To help solve your circuit breaker problems, our commercial electricians will come to your location for in-depth troubleshooting. Once we discover the root cause, we'll get to work on repairing your circuit breaker, so you can continue working and serving your customers.
Like tripped circuit breakers, dimming or flickering lights are among the most common commercial electrical problems in South Carolina. These issues typically stem from poor electrical connections. These poor connections will usually cause sparks, which can start fires and wreak havoc on your commercial building. While dimming lights might seem minor, if you leave this problem to fester, you could be looking at permanent damage to your businesses' electrical systems. Given the danger involved in fixing this problem, it's important that you work with a licensed business electrician like Engineered Electrical Solutions as soon as you're able to.
Dead power outlets aren't always dangerous, unlike other recurring commercial electrical issues. They are, however, disruptive to your company's productivity. Dead outlets are common in older commercial buildings and are often caused by circuit overloads. Connecting multiple high-wattage devices and appliances to the same power socket can cause overheating. When the power outlet overheats, it can lead to tripped circuit breakers. In some cases, the live wire catches fire and burns until it is disconnected. For a reliable solution using high-quality switches, sockets, and circuit breakers, it's best to hire a professional business electrician to get the job done right.
Finding a real-deal, qualified commercial electrician in South Carolina is harder than you might think. Whether it's due to availability or budget, you might be tempted to hire a residential electrician for your commercial electrical problem. While it's true that great residential electricians can help solve commercial issues in theory, it's always best to hire a business electrician with professional experience.
Unlike their residential colleagues, commercial electricians are licensed to deal with different materials and procedures suited specifically for businesses. Commercial wiring is much more complex than residential, and is strategically installed with maintenance, repair, and changes in mind. Additionally, commercial properties usually use a three-phase power supply, necessitating more schooling, skills, and technical ability to service.
The bottom line? If you're a business owner with commercial electricity problems, it's best to work with a licensed commercial electrician, like you will find at Engineered Electrical Solutions.
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
We want to be sure every one of our customers is satisfied, which is why we offer a three-year guaranteed on our labor. If you're in need of an electrician for your home or business, give our office a call and discover the Engineered Electrical Solutions difference.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy has placed into service one of the nation’s most advanced green microgrids in the Madison County town of Hot Springs.The Hot Springs microgrid consists of a 2-megawatt (AC) solar facility and a 4.4-megawatt lithium-based battery storage facility. The microgrid not only provides a safe, cost-effective and reliable grid solution for serving the Hot Springs area, but it will also provide energy and additional bulk system benefits for all customers.This will include reliability services to ...
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy has placed into service one of the nation’s most advanced green microgrids in the Madison County town of Hot Springs.
The Hot Springs microgrid consists of a 2-megawatt (AC) solar facility and a 4.4-megawatt lithium-based battery storage facility. The microgrid not only provides a safe, cost-effective and reliable grid solution for serving the Hot Springs area, but it will also provide energy and additional bulk system benefits for all customers.
This will include reliability services to the electric grid, such as frequency and voltage regulation and ramping support and capacity during system peaks.
“Duke Energy has numerous smaller microgrids on our system, but this is our first microgrid that can power an entire small town if its main power line experiences an outage,” said Jason Handley, general manager, Distributed Energy Group.
Hot Springs, with a population of just over 500, has limited rerouting options should an outage occur. During its testing phase, Duke Energy’s microgrid was able to pick up the town’s entire load from a black start without any help from the energy grid – using only the solar and battery storage to restore power. The microgrid served the town’s load while the company gathered data.
“Through energy storage and microgrids, Duke Energy can enable the integration of more renewables onto the grid and help improve reliability while keeping costs affordable for customers and the communities we serve,” added Handley.
Duke Energy worked with the technology company Wärtsilä, who supplied the battery energy storage system for the project. The microgrid utilizes Wärtsilä’s sophisticated energy management system, the GEMS Digital Energy Platform, for integrated control of both the solar and energy storage facilities.
“The Hot Springs inverter-only-based community microgrid is a great step forward for Duke Energy and our customers. This project has reduced the need for equipment upgrades in an environmentally sensitive area,” added Handley. “We are using lessons learned from this first-of-its-kind installation to take to our other microgrids under construction in Indiana and Florida. At a larger scale, microgrids bring more resiliency to the energy grid for our customers.”
Duke Energy has been active with microgrids and battery storage, with over 60 megawatts connected throughout Duke Energy’s regulated areas. In Asheville, Duke Energy operates a 9-megawatt lithium-ion battery system at a substation site in the Rock Hill community – near Sweeten Creek Road. In Haywood County, the company has a 3.8-kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery and 10-kilowatt solar DC microgrid installation serving a communications tower on Mount Sterling in the Smoky Mountains National Park.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2022 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
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Duke Energy contact: Randy Wheeless 24-Hour: 800.559.3853 Twitter: @DE_RandyW
HOT SPRINGS, N.C. – After shaking off their winter slowdown, a number of Western North Carolina bears are perhaps a little cranky and acting more aggressively than usual.The U.S. Forest Service has established a temporary overnight camping ban along the Appalachian Trail from Tanyard Gap in Hot Springs, about an hour north of Asheville, North Carolina, to Deep Gap in Franklin, a little over an hour east of Asheville, due to "recent a...
HOT SPRINGS, N.C. – After shaking off their winter slowdown, a number of Western North Carolina bears are perhaps a little cranky and acting more aggressively than usual.
The U.S. Forest Service has established a temporary overnight camping ban along the Appalachian Trail from Tanyard Gap in Hot Springs, about an hour north of Asheville, North Carolina, to Deep Gap in Franklin, a little over an hour east of Asheville, due to "recent aggressive bear behavior," according to a May 11 release from the USFS.
"While backpackers are still permitted to hike through the area, all campsites and shelters are off limits, to include the area surrounding Rich Mountain Fire Tower," the release said.
Jen Barnhart, a U.S. Forest Service district ranger on the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest, said a mother bear and her cubs were stealing people's backpacks and bear canisters to access food.
"The backpacks are being stolen because they have food in them," Barnhart said. "Especially if the bear is around, and the hikers walk away from their backpack before they even got their food out to store it properly."
Barnhart said a number of hikers have submitted reports online through the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website, which then passes the reports on to the USFS.
While there is no timetable for when overnight camping along this stretch will return, Barnhart said they can make predictions of bears' activity, and that experts will need to keep monitoring their behavior.
"At this point, they're waiting for berry season to come in, and the biologist from the state said it could be like a month until berries come on," Barnhart said.
For now, mother bears are teaching cubs to sniff for food to take from humans. Barnhart said there have been reports of bears brushing up against campers' tents at night and snatching backpacks.
"We'll be continuing to look at reports that we're getting from hikers until at some point it makes sense not to have the temporary ban," Barnhart said.
For backpackers in need of shelter, there are more than 250 located at varying intervals — some that have food storage systems in place to protect food from bears and other animals. They are an average of about 8 miles apart, but can range from 5 miles to 15 miles apart, or even as much as 30 miles apart when there is a town with some sort of lodging in between, according to the USFS.
Ashley Hobbs, of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, offered a few tips to follow in the case of crossing paths with a black bear.
Stop, back up and go in the opposite direction.
“You never want to run. Bears are omnivores so they still have that predatory chase instinct, and you don’t want to change an otherwise benign situation to a chase situation,” she said. “Just back up slowly in the opposite direction, give that bear a lot of space. Usually, bears want to get away from us as much as we want to get away from them.”
Give the bear an escape route so it doesn’t feel cornered.
In the rare case that a black bear does pursue, the person should try to make their body look as big as possible and “let them know they mean business,” she said.
The next step would be to throw rocks or sticks at the bear so it will “turn tail and run away.”
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Johnny Casey is the Madison County community reporter for The News-Record & Sentinel.
Did you know there are healing springs in North Carolina? Healing springs that happen to date back centuries? Hot Springs is a small town that is perfect for the nature lover in us all. In this podcast episode, we dive into the best Hot Springs, NC lodging, from cabins by the river to bed and breakfasts in town. Plus, we plan out some incredibly unique Hot Springs, North Carolina, things to do....
Did you know there are healing springs in North Carolina? Healing springs that happen to date back centuries? Hot Springs is a small town that is perfect for the nature lover in us all. In this podcast episode, we dive into the best Hot Springs, NC lodging, from cabins by the river to bed and breakfasts in town. Plus, we plan out some incredibly unique Hot Springs, North Carolina, things to do.
The Small-Town Diner Where Locals Catch Up Over Chicken And Homemade Apple Cobbler
The Stunning Landscape In North Carolina That Appears As Though It Was Ripped From A Henry Ossawa Tanner Painting
The Burgers From Nick's Old Fashion Hamburger House In North Carolina Are So Big, They Could Feed An Entire Family
[00:3:50:0] Hot Springs, North Carolina History
[00:10:50:0] Outdoor things to do Hot Springs, North Carolina
[00:20:45:0] A Perfect Day In Hot Springs, North Carolina
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Take a journey up to the mountains for a visit to Hot Springs, North Carolina. This small-town getaway has everything you need for a unique outdoor adventure – hiking, rafting, hot tubbing, and even some llamas!
Let’s be honest – Hot Springs, North Carolina, is visually stunning. Set deep in the mountains right on the French Broad River, this place does not disappoint in terms of visual appear. However, what really makes this small town getaway special is the fact that it’s also filled with fascinating attractions, breweries, restaurants, and the famed geothermal springs.
Are you ready to tune into the episode and visit Hot Springs, North Carolina? Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
If you know or love one of the 15 featured towns, call or text 805-298-1420 and tell us what you love about it (and have a chance to have your clip featured on the show). You can also reach out to us via email at podcast@onlyinyourstate.com.
Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around North Carolina!
Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA
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| Published October 02, 2023
Tragedy strikes. Industry crumbles. People move on. And so the remains of everything from shopping malls and hotels to institutions and industrial facilities are abandoned across the United States of America. Highlighting the beautifully eerie work of Johnny Joo, a Cleveland-based photographer specializing in photographing architectural remains, OnlyInYourState’s Vacant features 13 fascinating man-made structures that were left abandoned and are slowly being reclaimed by nature. Below, you will discover the most toxic city in America, the oldest detention center in the country, an abandoned Lisa Frank factory, and so much more.
Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations.
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Which one of these abandoned destinations intrigues you most? Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. For more images, check out his website, Architectural Afterlife.
Thousands of years ago, our country’s earliest inhabitants used the nourishing powers of mineral water to heal a variety of ailments. Today, hot (or warm) springs are delightful places to relax, reconnect with nature, and nourish your body and mind. Soaking in spring water is reported to help with circulatory illnesses, increase oxygen flow, and alleviate muscle, joint, and skin issues. From lush resorts to rustic, small-town parks, here are five hot springs to check out.We are grateful to all our sponsors:Located just ou...
Thousands of years ago, our country’s earliest inhabitants used the nourishing powers of mineral water to heal a variety of ailments. Today, hot (or warm) springs are delightful places to relax, reconnect with nature, and nourish your body and mind. Soaking in spring water is reported to help with circulatory illnesses, increase oxygen flow, and alleviate muscle, joint, and skin issues. From lush resorts to rustic, small-town parks, here are five hot springs to check out.
We are grateful to all our sponsors:
Located just outside of Asheville, this small NC town’s hot springs were first discovered by Native Americans, whose presence dates back nearly 5,000 years. Since 1778, the town has shared the benefits of its spring water with locals and visitors alike. The mineral baths have moved to several locations since the early 1800s, and you can still visit the ruins of a bathhouse from the 1860s. Whether you want to stay the night with a loved one or simply make use of the waters to relieve pain and stiffness, Hot Springs Resort & Spa offers immense relaxation, along with a selection of cabin and campsite rentals!
Book a 90-minute Signature Tub session, and you get a fire, robes, towels, and bottled water! Image: NC Hot Springs Resort & Spa via Facebook
Hot natural mineral water constantly flows through the jetted hot tubs from deep inside the earth. The resort has tactfully built the tubs into gorgeous wooden decks tucked away along the scenic Spring Creek and French Broad River. Open seven days a week, you can enjoy the mineral baths hourly, starting at $50 for two. Reservations are required, and you can plan your visit here.
Hot Springs, Arkansas, is home to Hot Springs National Park and a thermal springs “hot spot.” From 1880 until 1950, the town flourished as a health destination, peaking in 1946 when one million baths were taken. The development of modern medicine ushered a decline in bathhouse patronage, but Hot Springs’ “Bathhouse Row” continues to thrive today.
The massive indoor baths at Quapaw Baths & Day Spa are a popular spot on the row. After a day of sightseeing and exploring in the lively Hot Springs area, there’s no better way to unwind than in a world-famous mineral bath.
The Allegheny Mountains’ two main natural springs run through The Omni Homestead Resort. Since their discovery by Native Americans some 9,000 years ago, key Virginia figures like Thomas Jefferson have touted the water’s healing capabilities, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area each year. According to the resort, the United States Geological Survey determined that these springs are unaffected by changing seasons. They remain at a natural body temperature year-round and flow at an astonishing rate of 1.7 million gallons daily. The waters are packed with minerals but are also so crystal clear you can read a book through them.
You can visit the springs via the resort. Allegheny Springs is a two-acre water park fed by the area’s natural springs. Kids and kids at heart love the park’s two 100-foot water slides, 400-foot lazy river, large outdoor pools, stately 1904-built indoor pool, and cozy whirlpools. But the main attraction for relaxation seekers is the spa’s outdoor, naturally warm, spring-fed Serenity Garden Pool. It’s open year-round, so imagine cozying up in a corner of the pool with a hot tea and a book while snow falls around you.
Under two hours from Washington D.C., Berkeley Springs State Park is one of the most historic examples of ancient hot springs still open today. In 1730, the first European settlers learned about the ancient springs that had attracted Indian predecessors from Canada to the Carolinas. Word of the equally mystical and practical natural springs spread far and wide, and soon everyone was flocking to this holistic health mecca.
Within the small state park in the heart of town, you can plop into the idyllic Roman baths, rent a modern jacuzzi tub — both heated to 102 degrees — or swim in the outdoor pool filled with the legendary warm mineral water that flows from the springs at a constant temperature of 74.3 degrees. Today, the springs still discharge about 2,000 gallons of sparkling water per minute from five nearby spring sources.
According to TopHotSprings.com, Florida has 13 natural springs that range from warm (above 68 degrees) to hot (above 84 degrees), but it has dozens more if you count the cool ones, too! One of the warmest, oldest, and most magical of them all is Warm Springs Mineral Park.
A balmy 85 to 87 degrees year-round, it’s said that the immense sinkhole pool was used publically as far back as 30,000 years ago. Reaching 200 feet deep at some points, the spring continuously flows and refills nine million gallons per day. Swim, soak, scuba dive, or opt for a skin treatment or facial to take advantage of the water’s 50 nourishing minerals. It’s no wonder this place is crowned a “Fountain of Youth!”
These hot springs beckon us to ditch the cozy robe and submerge. May the pursuit of this age-defying and mind-calming mineral magic also spark some ancestral education and exploration of parts unknown!
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MADISON COUNTY, N.C. — There is only one place in North Carolina where you can experience natural hot springs. It’s in the western part of the state, and the town is called Hot Springs.What You Need To KnowHot Springs Resort and Spa offers mineral baths from a natural hot spring across the creekThe resort is one of many over the years. The first hotel and bath house was built in the early 1800sThe resort offers 17 outdoor bath houses with additional baths attached to their lodgingIn the hills of...
MADISON COUNTY, N.C. — There is only one place in North Carolina where you can experience natural hot springs. It’s in the western part of the state, and the town is called Hot Springs.
What You Need To Know
Hot Springs Resort and Spa offers mineral baths from a natural hot spring across the creek
The resort is one of many over the years. The first hotel and bath house was built in the early 1800s
The resort offers 17 outdoor bath houses with additional baths attached to their lodging
In the hills of Madison County are the sounds of bubbling water. It’s the home to Hot Springs Resort and Spa.
Heather Hicks is the manager at the resort. The spot holds a special place in her heart because she grew up in the county, and several generations of her family worked on the grounds.
“I grew up a steward of the water,” Hicks said. “I grew up on the French Broad River, which is a big place for whitewater rafting. So it was a natural progression for me to come here to Hot Springs to continue my stewardship.”
She loves this area because it has a sense of tranquility. There are no sounds of a bustling city but rather birds, water and nature.
“This is a beautiful natural setting,” Hicks said. “There are no chain restaurants and no stop lights. You can get lost in time in this town. It’s one thing I love about it, and our guests love about it.”“This is a beautiful natural setting,” Hicks said. “There are no chain restaurants and no stop lights. You can get lost in time in this town. It’s one thing I love about it, and our guests love about it.”
The resort features 17 outdoor hot tubs and additional lodging that also has attached tubs. The natural hot springs sit across the creek on a private part of the resort. Workers use an underground piping system to bring the water from the hot springs directly into the spa.
“Our spring is an artesian spring, which means they bubble up,” Hicks said. “It comes from about a half-mile underground. The water temperature there is about 110 degrees Fahrenheit. By the time it reaches the tubes, it’s 102 to 103.”
These mineral baths weren’t always located in the same spot. There were several locations since the early 1800s. On the grounds of the resort, visitors can see the ruins of a bathhouse from the 1860s.
“The bathhouse had eight 4-foot-deep, marble-lined tubs and guests came here for a 21-day convalescence program, soaking, healthy food, massage and maybe a golf game or two,” Hicks said.
That bathhouse was the fourth one built. Down the street, at the Hot Springs Welcome Center visitors can learn about the resort’s history. The first hotel was built in 1837.
“The warm springs hotel was an absolutely beautiful property with grand pillars,” Hicks said.
It was designed for exclusive guests and the elite class. It was one of many hotels on the grounds that burned down over the years. The area was also prone to floods and fires.
“I think that Hot Springs are a very special place,” Hicks said. “Mother nature is in charge of this town. The grand affluent hotels that didn’t allow everyone access to the water maybe didn’t go with the flow.”
Hicks says while they do charge guests to use the hot tubs, they tried to make them affordable and available to anyone who wants to soak.
“The water itself is fantastic,” Hicks said. “There is a huge allegiance from everyone who works here to take care of the water in this very special place and to tell the stories of the past. It’s part of our Appalachian heritage.”
Hot Springs Resort and Spa is open seven days a week. Minerals baths range in price starting at $50 for two people. Reservations are required ahead of time.