According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN), archeological evidence shows that the first human use of geothermal energy in North America occurred more than 10,000 years ago, when hot springs were employed as a source of warmth.
In 1807, settlers founded the city of Hot Springs, AR where, in 1830, Asa Thompson charged one dollar each for the use of three spring-fed baths, which is believed to be the first known commercial use of geothermal energy.