History of hot lake
springs resort
The hot springs rest at the foot of a large bluff and were used by Native peoples for
their medicinal benefits long before settlement. The Nez Perce called the lake
Ea‑Kesh‑Pa. It later became a popular stop for weary travelers on the Oregon Trail.
The famous 1906 brick hotel, attributed to architect John V. Bennes, was later known
as the “Mayo Clinic of the West,” drawing visitors and patients from around the
world.
Hot Lake’s heyday lasted into the mid‑1930s. A devastating fire in 1934 destroyed
most of the wooden structures, but the 1906 brick building survived.
Early Beginnings
In 1864, Samuel Fitzgerald Newhart built the first wooden structure at Hot Lake, facing the bluff. This multi-purpose facility included a post office, blacksmith shop, dance hall, barber shop, bath houses, and other businesses, serving as an early self-contained hub for travelers and locals drawn to the geothermal waters.
Growth and Glory
The Union Pacific Railroad’s arrival in 1884 boosted access. A grand brick sanatorium, designed by architect John V. Bennes, was completed around 1906–1908 with 105+ rooms and innovative geothermal features. In 1917, Dr. W. T. Phy acquired it, renaming it the “Hot Lake Sanitorium” and elevating it to a celebrated health resort known as the “Mayo Clinic of the West.
Fire and Decline
A devastating fire in 1934 destroyed the wooden parts of the building, leaving only the brick structure intact. The hotel never fully recovered. During WWII, it served as a flight school and nurse training center. By 1953, it was converted into a nursing home. The hotel never fully regained its former success after the 1934 fire. In the aftermath, business at Hot Lake fell into a steep decline which was compounded by the ongoing Great Depression.
Abandonment and Decay
After decades of decline, the building was abandoned in 1991. It fell into disrepair due to vandalism and weather. In 2003, David Manuel purchased the deteriorated structure and began a major restoration effort, reopening for tours in 2005.
Modern Revival
In 2020, the owners of Grande Hot Springs RV Resort acquired the property and started a new restoration phase, preserving key historic elements like the entry porch and spring house. Today, Hot Lake Springs Resort offers geothermal soaking pools, updated lodging in the 1906 lodge, the Thermal Pub & Eatery, and a 60-seat movie theater, reviving the site as a peaceful Eastern Oregon retreat.