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

Kenneth Adair Memorial Park

— Hot Springs Central Avenue Historic District —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

1. Kenneth Adair Memorial Park Marker

Inscription. Dedicated to the memory of
Mr. Kenneth Adair
(1904-1988)
One of this city’s foremost black statesmen Mr. Adair devoted his life in service to the disadvantaged and in achieving equality for all Hot Springs citizens.

Erected by City of Hot Springs.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Civil Rights • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 34° 30.85′ N, 93° 3.239′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is on Central Avenue (State Highway 7) just north of Mountain Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk, near the entrance to the subject park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 354 Central 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: Hot Springs Utility Improvements (a few steps from this marker); Hot Springs Railroad Improvements (a few steps from this marker); Maurice Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs Railway Company (within shouting distance of this marker); “Rebirth of the American Spa”

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Hale Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Fordyce Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs, Incorporated (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Also see . . .
1. Adair Park Dedication. Feb. 19, 1990.

(Dedication Ceremony photos) Excerpt: Kenneth Adair Memorial Park, located “in the center of the soul of the city,” is named in memory of the late Kenneth Adair, a lifetime resident and a former alderman (for the Third Ward), who served Hot Springs citizens for 13 years (1972-1985).

(Submitted on January 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Kenneth Adair Memorial Park.

Excerpt: In the 1920s and 1930s, he was a one-time welter-weight boxer, who successfully boxed in St. Louis, Kansas City and Detroit. Once returning to Hot Springs, he tailored for many years and founded the former newspaper called The Arkansas Citizen. The paper began in 1958 and as the editor, he provided local and national weekly information to primarily black readers.
Alderman
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

2. Kenneth Adair Memorial Park Marker
Looking west from Central Avenue into Kenneth Adair Memorial Park. The marker is in the center foreground.
Kenneth Adair was instrumental in organizing the city’s first chapter (#6013) of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which was founded in 1961. At that time, fellow rights activist, Reverend James Donald Rice was the NAACP president, while Adair was vice president. Both gentlemen revived the organization in Hot Springs. Adair served the NAACP for over 60 years, he was vice president for a decade and as president for 15 years.

(Submitted on January 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Kenneth Adair Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

3. Kenneth Adair Memorial Park

Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 8, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.