From a reprint of a Harper's magazine, this black on white drawing of the first Arlington Hotel from the south end showing a portion of the building front. The three-story hotel was built on the edge of Hot Springs Creek; the creek was still exposed and not underground as it is today. There is a stone retaining wall with two places where water is draining out from under the hotel. A narrow walkway is between the hotel and the retaining wall and a shoulder high rail is on top of the wall. An African American woman is at the rail hanging blankets across the rail, using it for a clothes line. There is a young African American boy near her and other workmen outside the building as well as some ladies dressed for a stroll. The hotel was wooden with a central porch section; there's an American flag flying atop this part of the building. There are bare trees in the left background and people on the street in front of the hotel, including a mule-drawn cart with passengers.
Front of Arlington Hotel, 1878
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Van Cleef also refers to another occupation of the black population who lived in the area known as Happy Hollow, (the Fountain Street area), - "washin."
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