THE ARKANSAS ALLIGATOR FARM is the oldest attraction in Hot Springs.The alligator farm was founded in 1902 by Mr. H.L.Campbell and sold to Mr. Donny S. Older between the years of 1902 and 1929. It was first known as the Hot Springs " Gator " Farm with over 1500 alligator Missippians and a small museum. The Alligator Farm was started because of the need for some type of tourist attraction due to the great influx of people who at this time came to take the Hot Thermal Baths,and there were no attractions other than the natural resources. The reasoning behind the origination of the Alligator Farm was due to the fact that the alligators are native and are found in South Arkansas between Hope and Texarkana in an area known as Grassy Lake.