By Catherine Reagor | The Republic azcentral.com
The historic Castle Hot Springs resort, north of metro Phoenix, is going on the auction block. The opening bid is $500,000.
Opened in 1896, the 210-acre resort near Lake Pleasant once attracted prominent U.S. families including the Roosevelts, Vanderbilts, Carnegies, Wrigleys and the Astors. Long before he became president, John F. Kennedy spent time recovering at Castle Hot Springs from injuries he sustained in World War II.
The resort closed in 1976 when a fire destroyed the main building. The natural hot spring still produces 180,000 gallons of 118-degree water a day.
CBRE Auction Services is holding an online auction for the former resort on Feb. 27.