Arkansas Walk of Fame

The Arkansas Walk of Fame, located in downtown Hot Springs (Garland County), was established in 2009 and consists of a walkway made of terrazzo plaques honoring more than 100 Arkansans who earned the distinction of making nationally recognized contributions to their profession. The Walk of Fame was created by Hot Springs residents Ken Wheatley, a noted local businessman, and Tom Wilkins, whose background was in show business. The Walk of Fame’s engraved plaques can be found adjacent to the Hot Springs Visitor Center at Hill Wheatley Plaza, 629 Central Avenue. Among the inductees spotlighted on the Walk of Fame are actors, artists, athletes, authors, musicians, and those from the worlds of business and outdoor recreation.

The privilege of being included in the Walk of Fame is extended to native Arkansans as well as long-time residents of the state. Honorees must have been born in or lived in Arkansas, made a significant contribution to their field, and been recognized nationally. There is an annual induction ceremony that includes the honoree (if possible), members of their family for posthumous honors, and those who supported the person’s nomination. Recommendations from the public can be made through the Walk of Fame’s website. Sponsors are asked to provide background on their nominee, how that person contributed significantly to their field, contact information for the nominee and sponsor, and reasons why the nominee should be included. If accepted, one of the conditions to be included is providing a set-up fee of $900.

Each plaque is inscribed with the honoree’s name, induction date, and hometown, as well as a brief description of the person’s accomplishments. Dozens of luminaries are represented, including actress/director Joey Lauren Adams; character actress Ashlie Atkinson; Rodger Bumpass, an actor, comedian, and voice of Squidward Tentacles on the animated TV series SpongeBob SquarePants; actress/singer Gail Davis, who starred on TV’s Annie Oakley; Academy Award–winning actress Tess Harper; actors Arthur Hunnicutt and Brent Jennings; actor/film producer Alan Ladd; actor/comedian Jerry Van Dyke; and Dick Powell, who was an actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and studio head. There is a combined plaque honoring entertainers Chester Lauck and Norris Goff, who created the Lum and Abner radio show, one of the most popular programs of its time. Show business producers, directors, and cinematographers include Freeman Harrison Owens, Harry Thomason, and Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. They are joined by television personalities B. J. Sams and Steve Stephens.

The field of architecture is represented by architects Fay Jones and Edward Durrell Stone. Artists include painter Carroll Cloar as well as George Hunt, known for his portraits of blues musicians.

Athletes include baseball players Dizzy Dean and Daffy Dean, Bill Dickey, Art Pennington, Brooks Robinson, Lon Warneke, and Alton “Al” Baldwin, who was a standout in football and track as well as baseball. Basketball is represented by Sidney Moncrief and by Hubert “Geese” Ausbie, called the “Clown Prince” of the legendary Harlem Globetrotters. Football players Cliff Harris and Bobby Mitchell are joined by Frank Broyles, who was renowned not only as a football player but also as coach and athletic director at the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville (Washington County). Jack Fleck and Paul Runyan represent the world of professional golf. Boxers Tommy Freeman and Sonny Liston are joined by kickboxer Lafayette Lawson, wrestlers Bobo Brazil and Bruce Swayze, and arm wrestler Michael Todd. Outdoor recreation notables include fishermen Carl “Cotton” Cordell, Mark Davis, Bobby Murray, and Forrest L. Wood.

Authors include Maya Angelou, Helen Gurley Brown, and Charles Portis, while businessmen Don Munro and Sam Walton are also included. A plaque for medical pioneer Edith Irby Jones can be seen along with military figures including General Wesley Clark, Captain Field Eugene Kindley, General Douglas MacArthur, Sergeant Major Alford McMichael, and Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Mills Jr.

Arkansas has had its share of renowned musicians, who are well represented at the Walk of Fame. They include the Browns, Sonny Burgess and the Pacers, Glen Campbell, and Johnny Cash. Pianist Jo Ann Castle is joined by Jimmy Driftwood, Barbara Fairchild, Henry Bernard Glover, Randy Goodrum, Jack Hunt, Buddy Jewell, Tracy Lawrence, and the Martins. Other musicians on the Walk of Fame are Patsy Montana, Twila Paris, Point of Grace, Charlie Rich, Billy Lee Riley, and Russ Taff. Two highly celebrated figures from the world of music are known internationally: one is actress/singer/songwriter Dale Evans, and the other is Metropolitan Opera star Marjorie Lawrence, whose life story was immortalized in the Oscar-winning motion picture Interrupted Melody, which had its Southern premiere at the Malco Theatre in Hot Springs, near the spot where her Walk of Fame plaque is located.

With the Arkansas Walk of Fame a short distance from the Hot Springs thoroughbred racetrack, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, the world of thoroughbred racing includes the Cella family, who have led Oaklawn for several generations. Also included in the racing group are Pat Day, Earlie Fires, Don Grisham, Robert Holthus, and Larry Snyder. Other Arkansas-related celebrities with plaques on the Walk of Fame are the Focus on the Family ministry’s founder James Dobson, televangelist Rex Humbard, and law enforcement’s Nick McDonald, who was a patrolman for the Dallas Police Department when he attained international renown for arresting Lee Harvey Oswald after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

For additional information:
Arkansas Walk of Fame. https://arkansaswalkoffamehs.com/ (accessed April 16, 2025).

“Class of 2024 Arkansas Walk of Fame Inductees.” The Springs, September 30, 2024. https://thespringsmagazine.com/2024/09/30/class-of-2024-arkansas-walk-of-fame-inductees/ (accessed April 16, 2025).

Harrison, Eric E. “Arkansas Walk of Fame Sets Inductions, Concert in Hot Springs.” Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 25, 2023. https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2023/may/25/arkansas-walk-of-fame-sets-inductions-concert-in/ (accessed April 16, 2025).

Jenkins, Cary. “Arkansas Walk of Fame Unveils Six New Plaques.” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, June 18, 2023. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jun/18/arkansas-walk-of-fame-unveils-six-new-plaques/ (accessed April 16, 2025).

Johansen, Sandy. “Six Arkansans Join the Arkansas Walk of Fame.” Hot Springs Village Voice, June 6, 2023. https://www.hsvvoice.com/stories/six-arkansans-join-the-arkansas-walk-of-fame,20359? (accessed April 16, 2025).

Leigh, James. “Three Sports Legends to be Inducted into Arkansas Walk of Fame.” Hot Springs Sentinel-Record, October 6, 2024. https://www.hotsr.com/news/2024/oct/06/watch-three-sports-legends-to-be-inducted-into/ (accessed April 16, 2025).