Discover the Secret Past of Hot Springs at the Gangster Museum of America

If you’re planning a trip to Arkansas and love offbeat attractions, check out the Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs. In this charming, quirky town known for its healing baths and natural springs, you’ll find a surprising slice of mob history!

Hot Springs: A Gangster’s Paradise

The tour begins with a guide who walks you through the town’s criminal underworld. The guide’s delivery might lean a bit cheesy at times, but honestly, it just makes the experience more entertaining. It feels more like a quirky history lesson than a stiff museum tour.

You’ll move through seven themed galleries that show how Hot Springs’ big three industries—the hot baths, gambling, and its red-light district—turned the town into a magnet for gangsters, politicians, and other larger-than-life figures. One of the first stories you’ll hear is about Leo McLaughlin, the town’s mayor who didn’t just allow illegal gambling—he institutionalized it. It’s wild to think this actually happened, but the museum lays it all out with artifacts and storytelling that bring it to life.

Oh, and here’s a fun little tidbit: Hot Springs used to have an open-air creek running through town until the late 1800s when it was paved over. The museum even features a nod to this bit of history.

Meet Owney Madden

Owney Madden might not be a name you know, but he was a big deal in the underworld. After running the show in New York City—he even owned the famous Cotton Club in Harlem—Madden moved to Hot Springs to “retire.” Of course, by retire, I mean he kept running gambling operations here, just with a lot less heat from law enforcement.

One of the museum’s most unique artifacts is Madden’s telephone switchboard, which he used to rig horse race bets. Apparently, even in retirement, old habits die hard. Despite his shady past, Madden ended up becoming a major supporter of the community, bringing money into the local economy and earning an unexpected level of respect.

Al Capone’s Hot Springs Connection

When you think of Al Capone, Chicago probably comes to mind, but he spent plenty of time in Hot Springs, too. Back in the 1920s, Capone purchased Belvedere Dairy just outside of town and turned it into a moonshine operation. His system for smuggling the goods was both clever and subtle—he disguised the booze as spring water, with upside-down labels as the tell.

What’s surprising is how different Capone’s time in Hot Springs was compared to his reputation elsewhere. Here, he played by the town’s rules, acted like a typical tourist, and even spent plenty of money at local businesses.

The Baseball Connection: America’s Pastime Meets Mob History

Did you know that Hot Springs is the birthplace of baseball’s spring training? From the late 1800s to the 1930s, Major League Baseball and Negro League players would come here to train. This was one of the few places where baseball stars and gangsters rubbed elbows, often at the same bars or clubs. Seeing the crossover of crime and America’s pastime is pretty wild.

Outlaws, New York Mafia and the End of an Era

The museum doesn’t just focus on mobsters; it also highlights the town’s role as a hideout for outlaws like Bonnie and Clyde and John Dillinger. They weren’t here to cause trouble—Hot Springs was more of a safe zone where they could lie low.

One story that stuck with me is about Grace Goldstein, a local madam who ran a dinner bell warning system. When federal agents were spotted on the outskirts of town, she’d ring her bell, and the news would spread house by house until everyone knew to clear out.

Eventually, the fun came to an end. Governor Winthrop Rockefeller led a crackdown on gambling in the 1960s, officially ending the town’s outlaw era.

The Tunnels: Hot Springs’ Hidden Underground

The last part of the Gangster Museum of America tour covers the tunnels beneath the town. Originally built when the creek was covered up, these tunnels are rumored to have been used by gangsters to move between clubs and the Arlington Hotel without being spotted.

The museum even shows a video about the tunnels, including a peek at a hidden bowling alley where gangsters hung out. It’s fascinating to see how much effort went into keeping their activities discreet.

Tip: You won’t see or visit the tunnels during your museum visit, but if you’re intrigued and want to know more about them, contact the Hot Springs Stormwater Manager.

Should You Visit the Gangster Museum of America?

Absolutely. Hot Springs is famous for its bathhouses, but its gangster history? That’s a side of the town you don’t want to miss. The Gangster Museum of America is quirky, unexpected, and full of fascinating stories you’ll be retelling long after visiting.

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