![]() NPS image from HOSP archives As superintendent, Hamblen quickly earned a reputation as a stern but talented administrator. Unlike his predecessor, Benjamin Kelly, Hamblen did not hesitate to turn off the water to bathhouse owners who failed to pay their water fees, a policy change that earned him the ire of many bathhouse owners. Hamblen is best remembered for designing and overseeing construction of the stone arch that enclosed Hot Springs Creek, finally eliminating the eyesore and public health menace that had plagued the town since it was founded. |
Last updated: November 13, 2017