What’s up With Mysterious Underground Tunnels in Arkansas Town?

Hot Springs, National Park Arkansas is one of the most visited towns in the state. Not only do people go there for the thermal baths, horse racing, bathhouse row, and the surrounding mountains and lakes some come searching for the mysterious underground tunnels.

The Tunnels

If you've ever walked downtown along Bathhouse Row you may have come across a stone arch aquifer that's been around since the late 1800s.

With that being said, a tunnel was supposedly constructed in the 1920s where legend has it, the tunnel was constructed as a secret passageway for Al Capone and his mob who visited the area were able to get around without any suspicion.

Gambling, brothels, and other seedy activity were common back in those days when Hot Springs became a haven for not only wanted criminals but national celebrities as well.

The tunnel runs through Whittington Avenue, Park Avenue, and right onto Broadway Street.

Explorers and history buffs from all over the country go to the spa city in hopes of seeing the tunnels that are made of novaculite and granite stone with some that have concrete walls made of stone or brick.

In  2014, the city's stormwater division started a restoration project that was fully funded by a federal grant to maintain the creek tunnel. The main purpose of the tunnel is flood control in the downtown area.

So, the next time you are in Hot Springs if you go a little off the beaten path you just may discover the secret tunnels, and who knows you might even run into the ghost of Al Capone.