Frequently Asked Questions
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Where is Al Capone's secret tunnel?
Many people have heard that Al Capone secretly built a tunnel running east-west under Central Avenue to connect the Arlington Hotel and the Southern Club. We do have a tunnel - a tunnel running north-south under Central Avenue from Whittington Avenue to Malvern Avenue built when Hot Springs Creek was arched over in 1884-1885. The tunnel is still an important part of flood control in downtown Hot Springs.
Capone, however, never built a tunnel here. The engineering and construction challenges of a tunnel such as Capone supposedly built are staggering. Even if he could have overcome those (very expensive) obstacles and built this tunnel, would all of the people who worked on it have kept the secret? Probably not. And some enterprising tour company would have been making money for years off of this tunnel if it existed. Also, Capone felt safe here. Rarely charged with a crime, he did not have to hide from arrest warrants, and rival gangs did not attack each other in Hot Springs.
No dark, smelly tunnel for Al - he strolled confidently across Central, smoking a cigar and enjoying the city lights.
Where do I find out about renovating my home if it's in a historic district? Are there any restrictions or tax credits?
Contact:
Arkansas Historic Preservation Program
1500 Tower Building,
323 Center Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (501) 324-9880
Fax: (501) 324-9184
E-Mail: info@arkansaspreservation.org
http://www.arkansaspreservation.com
Besides your society, where else can I research my relatives who lived in Garland County?
An excellent resource:
The Melting Pot Genealogical Society
649B Ouachita Avenue
P. O. Box 936
Hot Springs, AR 71902-0936
(501) 624-0229
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~armpgs
The Melting Pot Library is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each Monday and Friday and the second Saturday of each month.