Beyond the manicured greens and 24/7 security gates of Hot Springs Village lies a history shrouded in mystery and lawlessness. Did you know there is a 19th-century ghost town sitting at the bottom of Lake Cortez? Or that a pioneer’s grave sits directly in the middle of a paved road because the developers weren’t allowed to move him?
In this episode of Village Ventures, Dennis Simpson takes us into the “Dark Corner”—a former sanctuary for moonshiners and outlaws like Jesse Simpson. We also get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the massive engineering marvel that provides water to the world’s largest gated community.
In this video, you’ll discover:
The underwater grist mill and post office of Lake Cortez.
The legend of Jesse Simpson and his .45 Peacemaker.
The “Dark Corner” moonshine that lured Al Capone’s men.
A tour of the high-tech water treatment facility keeping the Village alive.