The city of Hot Springs, South Dakota was settled in 1879, but known long before that by Native Americans for his warm healing natural spring water. In 1890, the railroad brought waves of people to Hot Springs, and town founders like Fred Evans created tourist attractions such as the Evans Plunge, the world's largest naturally heated indoor swimming pool. In 1889, the South Dakota State Veteran's
Home was built for service members who served during the Civil War. Then, in 1902, Congress passed legislation allowing the Battle Mountain Sanitarium to be built. It was opened in 1907, and it has served the veterans of America's armed forces ever since. In December 2011, the Department of Veteran's Affairs has proposed a closure of the facilities that have served as a bloodline for Hot Springs since the railroad left in the early 20th Century. If the proposal were to go through as planned, it would mean a loss of 330 jobs in Hot Springs. Those employees alone make up 9% of Hot Springs' total population, and factoring in spouses, children and extended family, could very easily surpass 10-15%, possibly up to 25% of the total population. Loss of these jobs means that the school district would receive less funding and that local businesses, already struggling in this economy, would now be forced to completely shut down. This page is for people to show support for Hot Springs and to help organize efforts to contact elected representatives both locally and in Washington, to help raise awareness of these issues. We also encourage brainstorming ideas as to how to revitalize the town of Hot Springs. We are not simply a group standing by and asking for people to complain, we want to encourage you to take an active part in a saving a community that you live in, were raised in, or have simply visited on your travels. If worst comes to worst, we need to come up with fresh and original ideas to revitalize Hot Springs and draw on its historical and scientific significance in order to bring people into this town once described by a visiting little girl as "magical." Hot Springs can and will survive, it always has, but we must make sure to maintain its glory - and better it - for future generations to appreciate. NOTE: This page, created before the official Save the VA group formed, is operated by filmmaker and Save the VA Committee member Justin Gausman. While official news will be filtered through this page, opinions expressed on this page are solely those of the page manager, are not representative of Save the VA's official stance, and should never be considered as an official comment from the Save the VA committee. The intent of this page is, always was, and will be to inform and provide editorial commentary on current events regarding the efforts to Save the Hot Springs VA as well as to protect the community of Hot Springs.
