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

The Eastman Hotel

— Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail —

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

1. The Eastman Hotel Marker

Inscription. Built in 1890, the elegant, 500-room Eastman Hotel was a hub for the baseball community in the early 20th century. Here Babe Ruth flipped a coin to settle his 1921 salary dispute with the Yankees. In 1925, Walter Johnson received a hero's welcome upon returning to town after his World Series triumph and awed guests on the veranda by pitching on the hotel lawn.

Erected 2012 by Hot Springs Advertising & Promotion Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Baseball Hall of Famers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 34° 30.673′ N, 93° 3.207′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is on Post Office Court south of Reserve Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Reserve St, 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

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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: Skirmish at Farr's Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Lamar Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); An American Spa (within shouting distance of this marker); George Hunt (within shouting distance of this marker); Carroll Cloar (within shouting distance of this marker); Lon Warneke (within shouting distance of this marker); The Martins (within shouting distance of this marker); Freeman Harrison Owens (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Regarding The Eastman Hotel. The Eastman was one of two hotels (the Arlington was the other) built by Samuel Wesley Fordyce, a businessman who played a significant role in Hot Springs' development as a resort. The federal

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

2. The Eastman Hotel Marker

government bought the Eastman and connected it to the Army and Navy Hospital after World War II to add beds and expand treatment services for returning veterans. The hotel was demolished in the 1950s and the Hot Springs Federal Courthouse was built on the former hotel site in 1959–60.

Also see . . . Babe Ruth Signs for Three Years At the Toss of a Coin. Ruth wanted $52,000 a season. New York Yankees co-owner Colonel T. Huston offered $50,000. Who would win the coin flip? (Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail, posted Jan. 31, 2013) (Submitted on November 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

The Eastman Hotel image. Click for full size.

Detroit Publishing Company via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain), circa 1905

3. The Eastman Hotel

Eastman Hotel Postcard image. Click for full size.

The Tichnor Brothers Collection, Boston Public Library (Public Domain), circa 1930/45

4. Eastman Hotel Postcard

The distinctive tower was removed previously.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 3,471 times since then and 305 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.