Keough Hot Springs
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (April 2017) |
Keough Hot Springs | |
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Location | Inyo County, California |
Elevation | 4,209 feet (1,283 m) |
Keough Hot Springs is located in the Owens Valley of California, about seven miles south of the city of Bishop on US Highway 395.
History[]
The area around this hot springs was originally inhabited by the local native Paiutes, who considered the waters sacred. Today there is a very small community of homes, and a commercial resort featuring a large swimming pool which was built and first opened in August 1918 by Philip P. Keough, a former local superintendent of the Wells Fargo stage company. Keough's resort was very popular in the 1920s and 30's and was designed to be a complete health resort. The resort reportedly continued to be a very popular social gathering site for residents of the nearby communities up until the World War II era.
In 1926 the City of Los Angeles purchased the property as a part of its famous water-rights land grab in the Owens Valley. The City's Water and Power Department allowed the resort to remain open under its direction, but absentee management led to a decline in the resort's viability. Leases were offered to various operators, but with only a five-year term. The pool was closed to the public in 1934, but was reopened a few years later by another operator. A new lessee in 1955 performed renovations and the pool once again regained its vitality as a public swimming and recreation area until insurance considerations dictated that it become a membership-only club in 1985.
Today[]
In 1998 the Brown Family of Bishop purchased the resort and began major renovation work: a snack bar, picnic area, boutique, massage rooms, and fitness facility complement the pool and therapeutic tubs.
Keough Hot Ditch[]
Downstream from the pool, and outside of the small community of Keough's, the hot water cascades down a series of small primitive soaking/wading pools and bathing locations, as the water makes its way toward the Los Angeles Aqueduct. This area, known as the "hot ditch," is utilized as a recreational area where social nudity is practiced.
Sources[]
This article relies too much on references to primary sources. (August 2008) |
- "Keough's Hot Springs | Bishop California | History". Keoughshotsprings.com. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
- Jeff Cook. "Keough Hot Springs, Once Upon A Time" (PDF). Owensvalleyhistory.com. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
- Hot springs of California
- Bodies of water of Inyo County, California
- Buildings and structures in Inyo County, California
- Tourist attractions in Inyo County, California