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

Bobo Brazil

(Houston Harris) Professional Wrestler

— Hot Springs Arkansas Walk of Fame —

Bobo Brazil Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

1. Bobo Brazil Marker

Inscription.
Broke down racial segregation barriers in professional wrestling in the 50’s and 60’s • Member of 4 Pro Wrestling Halls of Fame including the WWF • Known as the Southern Giant and had a devastating finishing maneuver called the Coco Butt • Was one of the first African Americans to be allowed to wrestle everyone • Won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in 1962

Little Rock, Arkansas • Inducted 2023

Erected by Hot Springs Arkansas Walk of Fame.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1962.

Location. 34° 30.641′ N, 93° 3.233′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue (State Highway 7) and Spring Street, on the right when traveling north on Central Avenue. The marker is embedded in the sidewalk on the west 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: Captain Field Kindley (here, next to this marker); Lafayette Lawson (here, next to this marker); Daisy Bates

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(here, next to this marker); Buddy Jewell (here, next to this marker); Mark Davis (here, next to this marker); Ashlie Atkinson (here, next to this marker); Steve Stephens (here, next to this marker); Barbara Fairchild (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hot Springs.

Also see . . . Bobo Brazil (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Houston Harris (July 10, 1924 – January 20, 1998) is considered one of the first black professional wrestlers. Houston Harris was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, but later lived in East St. Louis, Illinois, and Benton Harbor, Michigan. Harris was trained by Joe Savoldi after meeting him at matches at the Naval Armory. Savoldi originally named Harris "BuBu Brasil, The South American Giant," where he wrestled using a sequined satin cape stitched together by his wife, but a promoter misprinted his first name as "Bobo" in an advertisement, and the name stuck with Harris throughout his career.
Brazil's first recorded match was on March 29, 1948, in Benton Harbor, wrestling as "Houston Harris, The Black Panther". Finding success in
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 13, 2024

2. Bobo Brazil Marker
Looking west across Central Avenue from the Hot Springs City Visitor Center; it is the 2nd from the right of five markers in this photo.
Detroit, Brazil developed a fanbase among both the black and white populace with his modesty and stylish dress and professionalism, making him a big draw and an appealing babyface to both races of fans. Although loved by fans, Brazil nonetheless dealt with bigotry and discrimination during that time. In the era when Harris ascended to stardom, African American fans were forced to sit in areas that made it hard to see his matches; Harris himself was banned from going to restaurants, hotels, and even wrestling in certain territories due to the color of his skin.
Brazil served as a mentor to wrestler "Soulman" Rocky Johnson and was inspirational to boxer Joe Frazier. Brazil's manager was James Dudley, the first African American to be in charge of a major arena in the United States. Brazil retired in 1993 after a four-decade career. His last official match was in Chicago, Illinois against Kelly Kiniski, son of rival Gene Kiniski. Brazil was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame class of 1994.

(Submitted on January 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 223 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 22, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.