Woodmen of Union Building

501 Malvern Ave., Hot Springs, Arkansas. County/parish: Garland.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places June 27, 1997. NRIS 97000616.

1 contributing building.

Also known as:

  • GA 0469
  • National Baptist Hotel

From Wikipedia:

Woodmen of Union Building

The Woodmen of Union Building is a historic commercial building at 501 Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It is a four-story structure, built mainly out of brick and ceramic blocks, although its southeastern section has upper levels with wood framing and finishing. Its main facade has an elaborate projecting entrance portico, with the entrance set in an elliptical-arch opening supported by fluted pilasters. The interior retains significant original features, including a bank vault, marble wainscoting, and a 2,500-seat auditorium. It was built in 1923–24 for the Supreme Lodge of the Woodmen of Union, an African-American social organization, which operated it as a multifunction bathhouse, hotel, hospital, bank, and performance venue. It was purchased in 1950 by the National Baptist Association.

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

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