This 'Garden of Eden' Is Now Blackened Dust

Harbin Hot Springs among businesses torched by Valley Fire
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 15, 2015 11:30 AM CDT
Nudist 'Garden of Eden' Is Now Blackened Dust
A photo shows the remains of the Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown, Calif.   (Twitter)

The hot springs resort that fell victim to a raging wildfire was among the oldest hot springs of its kind in California—and just happened to have a clothing-optional policy, reports USA Today. Footage of the nonprofit holistic center Harbin Hot Springs in Middletown—which one visitor compared to the Garden of Eden, per the Los Angeles Times—shows "the destruction of the main retreat buildings, and the area is unrecognizable," according to Harbin's website, though "it appears that the historic pools still exist." Despite the destruction, "we plan to continue in our service here for years to come" and have received "generous offers to help us rebuild," the post adds. The retreat employed some 150 people. (More wildfires stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X