West Baden Springs in Orange County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Joe Louis Bridge
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2021
1. Joe Louis Bridge Marker
Located to your left is the bridge named in honor of boxing legend Joe Louis. The "Brown Bomber" was the World heavyweight Champion from 1937 to 1949 who trained in West Baden. Although he trained at West Baden Springs Hotel, he was not allowed to stay there.
He stayed at the Waddy Hotel, a hotel for African Americans, built on the east side of the bridge, near the railroad tracks. Artie "Smitty" Smith, a member of Louis' entourage, would go on to buy the Waddy in 1942 and expand it to host ball players, boxers and other famous guests.
After a fire destroyed the hotel in 1951, Smitty and his wife Dorothy built a home on the site where Smitty lived until 1996.
Erected by French Lick Resort Historical Walking Tour. (Marker Number 16.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • Civil Rights • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 38° 33.806′ N, 86° 36.954′ W. Marker is in West Baden Springs, Indiana, in Orange County. It is on West Sinclair Street 0.1 miles west of Broadway Street (Indiana Route 56), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Baden Springs IN 47469, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Shawnee Hills and in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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 and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers
this page online
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. West Baden Springs Hotel
Also see . . . Joseph Louis Barrow. Wikipedia entry:
Nicknamed the "Brown Bomber," Jou Louis is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential boxers of all time. He reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 until his temporary retirement in 1949. He was victorious in 25 consecutive title defenses, a record for all weight classes. Louis had the longest single reign as champion of any boxer in history.(Submitted on April 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: Joe Louis photos
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2021
3. Joe Louis Bridge Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 24, 2021
4. Joe Louis Memorial Bridge Marker
Dedicated September 14, 1991
By
The West Baden Springs Town Council
And
The West Baden Springs Historical Society
Joe Louis Barrow, the Brown Bomber and
Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World.
He loved West Baden Springs, and
he was loved by its residents.
via Imgen, unknown
5. Hotel Waddy, West Baden Springs
The only hotel in the Valley where black visitors could find accommodations. This was the hotel that Joe Louis, world boxing champion, used while training at the West Baden Springs Hotel. Blacks were not welcome at any of other hotels in the Valley, but here they found a home away from home.
via Getty Images, unknown
6. Former heavyweight champion Joe Louis in West Baden, Indiana
Getty Images Video:
Click for more information.
Click for more information.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 993 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 9, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on April 22, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 6. submitted on June 14, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
