Hot Springs and Birth of the National Park Service

Legacies & Lunch May 2025

Common knowledge tells us that Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in 1872. Historical evidence, and many devoted Arkansans, tells us that Hot Springs National Park is the oldest national park. What's the truth?

Common knowledge tells us that Yellowstone National Park is the first national park in 1872. Historical evidence, and many devoted Arkansans, tells us that Hot Springs National Park is the oldest national park, first protected in 1832. What's the truth? According to Dr. Cane West, the real important focus is how Hot Springs figured into the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916. Join the exploration about the role of the Great American Spa in the creation of America's Best Idea.

Cane West is an academic historian and park ranger at Hot Springs National Park. A native son of Arkansas, he has spent the last decade in the National Park Service living and working all over the country at a variety of nature and history themed parks. He earned his PhD in History from the University of South Carolina in 2019. His academic research on settlement in the Arkansas River Valley kept him tethered to his home state.  Dr. West joined the staff of Hot Springs National Park in 2021, finally joining his academic passion with his home state enthusiasm.  Among his accomplishments, he has published articles in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, Journal of the Early Republic and Journal of Southern History, book reviews in the Journal of African American History and Journal of Agricultural History, and he has received high-fives from numerous kindergarten-aged park visitors. He is currently serving as the acting Interpretation Program Manager.

Legacies & Lunch is a hybrid program offering participants the opportunity to attend either in person or virtually via Zoom. To participate in person, join us at - NEW LOCATION - UA Little Rock Downtown (333 President Clinton Ave). Parking is available in the surface lot or the CALS Parking Deck which you can access from Rock Street. Parking will be validated. Bring your lunch; we will provide drinks and cookies. To participate virtually, register for the webinar using the button above. This program will be live-streamed to YouTube and the recording will be available immediately following the event.

Legacies & Lunch is a free monthly program of CALS Butler Center for Arkansas Studies about Arkansas-related topics.

Past Legacies & Lunch Events