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

The Arlington Hotel

— Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail —

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

1. The Arlington Hotel Marker

Inscription. The old Arlington Hotel, located across the street on the Arlington Lawn, was the site of the infamous arrest of New York Giants manager John “Mugsy” McGraw. Apprehended by a U.S. Marshal for unlawful gambling when he was caught pitching silver dollars into a saloon basket, “ Mugsy” was later released. The current Arlington, built in 1924, has hosted such baseball notables as: Babe Ruth, Lefty Grove, Hank Greenberg, Jimmie Foxx, and Joe DiMaggio.

Erected 2012 by Hot Springs Advertising & Promotion Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 34° 30.995′ N, 93° 3.195′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. Marker is at the intersection of Central Avenue (Arkansas Route 7) and Fountain Street when traveling north on Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 267 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park AR 71901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hot Springs Reservation Established (within shouting distance of this marker); A Landscaped Resort (within shouting distance of this marker); Medical Arts Building (within shouting distance of this marker);

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DeSoto Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Action in Hot Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); Temporary State Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); “A Modern and First Class Hotel” (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs' Postwar Boom (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Regarding The Arlington Hotel. Excerpt from John McGraw by Charles C. Alexander (Viking, 1988) about the baseball manager's 1904 arrest:

The most exciting thing that happened to McGraw that winter was being arrested at Hot Springs, along with a local citizen named C.T. Buckley, for unlicensed public gambling. For several days they'd taken on all challengers in pitching silver dollars at a basket on the Eastman Hotel grounds. McGraw and Buckley had reportedly hustled about $2,300 before the police closed them down. They had to post bond of $200 each, but a couple of days later the local municipal judge dismissed the charges against them.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

2. The Arlington Hotel Marker

It is in front of the third Arlington Hotel, which opened on Dec. 31, 1924.

Second Arlington Hotel (1893-1923) image. Click for full size.

Unknown via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain), circa 1922

3. Second Arlington Hotel (1893-1923)

The 300-room Spanish Renaissance revival hotel's observatory towers dominated the north end of Bathhouse row. The building was destroyed by fire on April 5, 1923.

John Joseph "Mugsy" McGraw (1873-1934) image. Click for full size.

Bain News Service via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division

4. John Joseph "Mugsy" McGraw (1873-1934)

After playing third base for the pennant-winning 1890s Baltimore Orioles teams, he managed the New York Giants to 10 pennants and three World Series titles over nearly three decades. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.

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 191 times since then and 52 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on November 24, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.