Verdant plein air landscape of Chena Hot Springs during summer in Alaska by unknown artist (American, 20th Century). Signed "Kiana" and titled "Chena Hot Springs" lower right. Unframed. Image size: 9"H x 12"W. Chena Hot Springs is a hot spring, resort, and unincorporated community in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States, 56.5 miles northeast of Fairbanks near the Chena River State Recreation Area. It was discovered in August 1905 and became famous for curing crippled prospectors of their aches and pains. Chena Hot Springs is a hot spring, resort, and unincorporated community in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States, 56.5 miles northeast of Fairbanks near the Chena River State Recreation Area. It was discovered in August 1905 and became famous for curing crippled prospectors of their aches and pains.