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

Matthew H. Rothert

Numismatist

— Hot Springs Arkansas Walk of Fame —

Matthew H. Rothert Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 14, 2024

1. Matthew H. Rothert Marker

Inscription.
Conceived of and led the effort, approved by Congress and signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1955, to have the words “In God We Trust” printed on all American paper money as it had been on all coins since 1864 • President of American Numismatic Association • Twice President of Arkansas Numismatic Society

Camden, Arkansas • Inducted 2002

Erected by Hot Springs Arkansas Walk of Fame.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.

Location. 34° 30.649′ N, 93° 3.232′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is on Central Avenue (State Highway 7) just north of Spring Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk on the north side of the Hot Springs City Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 629 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: Sidney Moncrief (here, next to this marker); Larry Snyder (here, next to this marker); Forrest L. Wood (here, next to this marker); Dick Powell

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(here, next to this marker); Billy Lee Riley (here, next to this marker); Brooks Robinson (here, next to this marker); Don Grisham (here, next to this marker); Russ Taff (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Also see . . . Matt Rothert Sr. (1904–1989) (Encyclopedia of Arkansas).

(By Conor J. Hennelly) Excerpt: Matt Rothert was born on March 17, 1904 in Huntingburg, Rothert received a BS from Notre Dame University in 1924, moved to Camden, Arkansas, and founded the Camden Furniture Company, serving as its president until he retired in 1975.
Rothert’s interest in numismatics began when he found his father’s old coins. In time, his interest and collection grew and included rare items. At church one Sunday in 1953, looking at the collection plate, Rothert realized that only coins bore the motto “In God We Trust.” He believed that a message about God on U.S. paper currency would reach more people because of its wider circulation. Rothert wrote letters and gave speeches promoting his idea. As a result, Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas, along with
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

2. Matthew H. Rothert Marker
Looking east from Central Avenue; it is the leftmost of four markers in this photo. The Hot Springs City Visitor Center parking lot is in the background.
several other senators and representatives from around the country, proposed the bill to Congress. President Dwight Eisenhower signed the proposal into law on July 11, 1955.

(Submitted on January 17, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 17, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 17, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.