Downtown in Little Rock in Pulaski County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Max Henry Aronson – The First Cowboy-Western Movie Star

March 21, 1880- January 20, 1971

Photographed By Steve Masler

1. Max Henry Aronson – The First Cowboy-Western Movie Star Marker

Inscription. Max Aronson was born at 713 Center Street, (a house formerly located across the street), on March 21, 1880, to Esther and Harry Aronson, a Jewish dry goods salesman. As a child, Max Aronson relocated to St. Louis, before moving to the Roth-Rosenzweig-Lambert House in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in early 1900. Aronson appeared in the first super hit Cowboy-Western, the Great Train Robbery (1903). Co-founding the Essanay Film company with George Spoor in 1907, Aronson directed, produced, and acted in 140 Westerns for Essanay as "Broncho Billy Anderson", which garnered him worldwide acclaim. Aronson signed Charlie Chaplin to Essanay, where he made 14 comedies, including The Tramp (1915). Aronson was the producer for the great comedians Laurel and Hardy's first film together, The Lucky Dog (1921). The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences awarded Aronson an "Oscar" in 1958 for his contributions to cinema.

Erected by First United Methodist Church, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, Jewish American Society of Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 34°

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44.491′ N, 92° 16.463′ W. Marker is in Little Rock, Arkansas, in Pulaski County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of West 8th Street and Center, on the left when traveling west on West 8th Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Little Rock AR 72201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Cathedral of St. Andrew (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); LaFayette Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of Robert Crittenden (approx. ¼ mile away); Bishop Charles Harrison Mason (approx. ¼ mile away); First Missionary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Thurston House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Taborian Hall (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Rock.

Regarding Max Henry Aronson – The First Cowboy-Western Movie Star. The first Jewish-American silent film cowboy.

Also see . . . Bronco Billy Anderson – (Max Henry Aronson) The first Cowboy Hero of the Silver Screen. Life of Max Henry Aronson, a.k.a., Bronco Billy Anderson and the backstory of a how the marker came to be. (Submitted on May 25, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Additional commentary.
1. This is a replacement marker.

Public domain

2. Max Henry Aronson – The First Cowboy-Western Movie Star Marker

This marker replaced a similar nearby marker titled: Gilbert Maxwell Aronson, The First Cowboy-Western Movie Star. David Kiehn, at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, reports the other marker was wrong and replaced by this one in April.

— Submitted July 20, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2018, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 487 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 16, 2018, by Steve Masler of Memphis, Tennessee. 2. submitted on July 20, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.

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