Texarkana in Bowie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Otis Williams & The Temptations Mural

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2025

1. Otis Williams & The Temptations Mural Marker

Inscription.
That Texarkana, Texas born (Oct. 30, 1941 to late parents Otis Miles, Sr. & Hazel Louise Williams) Dr. Otis Clayborn Williams (nèe: Otis Miles, Jr.) is known worldwide to be worthy, talented and honorable, his fellow TXK citizens dedicate this token of our appreciation with best wishes for continued success in the creation of music, fashion and the arts! As founder of the multi-Grammy Award winning singing group, The Temptations (1961), who are still setting the bar high for excellence in entertainment with inspiring, uplifting music; four of the original members (now deceased) are depicted on the mural along with Otis (a whistler like his father, “Sonny One”!): Melvin "Blu" Franklin, (Otis), David Ruffin, Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks.

I, Carol Collins-Miles and Friends at Scott Joplin Support Group, Ina McDowell - Exec. Dir. Main Street Texarkana, members of Dr. Williams' local family, late grandparents - Lucinda Eliga & Frank Fisher and Della Gooden, cousins Gail Arterberry, and the late Richelle Richardson-Walter and his many fans, all wish to thank those donors and sponsors who have made this dream project, painted by artist Darlene Taylor (Murals) with co-design by artist Henry Fort II, possible and wonderful:

The City of Texarkana, Texas • Twin-Cities’ Texarkana, TX/AR Arts & Historic District Committee

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• Scott Marr - Gold Star Finance • Ron Mills - Patterson-Troike Foundation • Mike & Pete Mankins and Family • Richard H Reynolds Jr • Wilbur Smith Rotary Club • Dr. Dewitt Charles Fortenberry • Jeff Brown - JBrown for the Home • Lowe's of Texarkana, Texas • Valspar Paints • Reynolds Realty Management Inc. • Dot's Rentals • David Peavy • Dr. James Anthony Morris • Mike & Vicki Carr - Studio57 • Texarkana Music Teachers Association. January 2024

Erected 2024.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical date for this entry is October 30, 1941.

Location. 33° 25.303′ N, 94° 2.661′ W. Marker is in Texarkana, Texas, in Bowie County. It is at the intersection of West 3rd Street and Main Street, on the right when traveling east on West 3rd Street. The mural spans the north side of the building at this address. The marker is mounted near the west [right] edge of the mural, facing West 3rd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Main Street, Texarkana TX 75501, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

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: Saenger Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); First Disciples of Christ in Texas (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Offenhauser Building

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2025

2. Otis Williams & The Temptations Mural Marker

The marker is mounted near the west [right] edge of the mural.

(about 400 feet away); East Broad Street Historic District (about 700 feet away in Arkansas); Booth-Rowe Building (approx. 0.2 miles away in Arkansas); Sandberger-Rowe Building (approx. 0.2 miles away in Arkansas); “Ace of Clubs” House (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. James Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Texarkana.

Also see . . . Otis Williams (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Otis is an American second tenor/baritone singer. He is occasionally also a songwriter and a record producer. Williams is the founder and last surviving original member of the Motown vocal group The Temptations, a group in which he continues to perform; he also owns the rights to the Temptations name.
Becoming interested in music as a teenager, Otis Miles Jr. adopted his mother's maiden name for his stage name, and as Otis Williams put together a number of singing groups. These groups included Otis Williams and the Siberians, the El Domingoes, and the Distants. After an offer from Berry Gordy of Motown Records, Williams and his friends/bandmates Elbridge "Al" Bryant
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 1, 2025

3. Otis Williams & The Temptations Mural
and Melvin Franklin quit the Distants. Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams from The Primes later joined Williams, Bryant, and Franklin to create the Elgins, who signed to Motown in March 1961 as "The Temptations", after being told another group was already using that name.
The Temptations became one of the most successful acts in soul music over the course of nearly five decades. The Temptations' biggest selling tracks include "My Girl" and "(I Know) I'm Losing You", among many others. The groups have won four Grammy Awards, and have been nominated for nine.
In 1989, Williams was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Temptations. He received an honorary doctorate from Stillman College in May 2006.

(Submitted on October 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.