Hot Springs in Garland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

National Baptist Hotel

— Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2024

1. National Baptist Hotel Marker

Inscription.
Built in 1923 as the Woodmen of the Union Building, this hotel, bathhouse, and performance venue quickly became the center of African American culture in Hots Springs. It housed virtually every great Negro League player and entertainer who visited the city

Famed entertainer, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson stayed here. He was a close friend of Babe Ruth and part owner of the New York Black Yankees. He was famous for leading parades through town, dancing the entire route.

Erected 2012 by Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission. (Marker Number 6.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 34° 30.405′ N, 93° 2.981′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is on Malvern Avenue just north of Garden Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located along the sidewalk on the west side of the former National Baptist Hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs National Park AR 71901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fallen Hero Memorial (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); To Honor All Purple Heart Recipients in Arkansas From All Wars

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(about 600 feet away); In Memory of Spanish American War Veterans (about 600 feet away); Lest We Forget (about 600 feet away); 1st SGT John M. "Mickey" Callahan (about 600 feet away); Staff SGT Charles R. Birnbaum (about 600 feet away); In Memory of the Students of Senior High School Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice (about 600 feet away); Visitors Chapel AME (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Also see . . . Woodmen of the Union Building, Arkansas. (Submitted on April 13, 2018, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Steve Masler, April 8, 2018

2. National Baptist Hotel Marker

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2024

3. National Baptist Hotel Marker

Looking north along Malvern Avenue; the former National Baptist Hotel (Woodmen of the Union Building) is on the right.

Former National Baptist Hotel (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2024

4. Former National Baptist Hotel (southwest elevation)

Former National Baptist Hotel / Woodmen of the Union Building (<i>south elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 15, 2024

5. Former National Baptist Hotel / Woodmen of the Union Building (south elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2018, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 860 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on February 21, 2020, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. Photos: 1. submitted on January 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2. submitted on April 11, 2018, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 4, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.