Gangster Museum of America, Hot Springs, AR

There is something about gangsters that always draws our attention. It doesn't matter if it is a Hollywood depiction of some of the bad men of the late 19th and early 20th century or something else entirely, our appetites will be whetted. The best place for anyone to learn about gangsters is at the Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Hot Springs, Arkansas was a huge draw for gangsters on the East Coast and from Chicago for a number of reasons. However, the history of gangsters in Hot Springs can be placed on one gangster in particular. Owen "Oweny the Killer'' Madden owned the Cotton Club in New York. During his life he was arrested and tossed in Sing Sing. Upon being released he found it necessary to seek another place to live due to health reasons. It is the health issues that brought Madden to Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was known since the time of Native Americans to be a special place with healing waters.

Once Madden arrived in Hot Springs he began instigating illegal activities with his Southern Club. Even the Mayor McLaughlin was aware of the illegal gambling, but did not stop it. Madden fell in love with the post masters daughter marrying Agnes Demby. Despite claims she was in full awareness of what Madden did and had done. The Gangster Museum is not located in any of the illegal gambling sites of the gangster time period. Instead it is a modest store front that houses a collection of mementoes kept from the early 1900's.

Other gangsters to the area that one can learn about at the museum are Lucky Luciano, Al Capone, Bugs Moran, Frank Costello, and Meyer Lansky. Lucky Luciano had to leave New York due to a $12 billion prostitution ring that was uncovered. He was arrested in Hot Springs, but released. Then Thomas Dewey made sure Arkansas arrested him again and extradited him to New York where he was given a 30 to 50 year sentence.

Alvin "Creepy'' Karpis was once considered the number 1 Public Enemy by J. Edgar Hoover. He hid out in Hot Springs before getting caught in New Orleans. Capone made use of Hot Springs and the surrounding mountains during prohibition. He often stayed at the Arlington Hotel, in room 442 now named Al's Suite. He would come to the Hot Springs to get moonshine for his Chicago place. Bugs Moran was there once during Capone's stay, but he was at the Majestic Hotel. Bugs Moran was Capone's arch enemy.

Another establishment in Hot Springs known for illegal activity was the Ohio Club. All of this history and more can be learned when visiting the Gangster Museum of America. They also have Al's Cadillac, which was outfitted with bullet proof materials and later seized. Roosevelt was known to use the Cadi on December 8, 1941. Admission into the museum is $9 for general admission, $8 for seniors, and $4 for children 6 to 12. It is open 10am to 6pm Sunday through Thursday and 10am to 9pm Friday and Saturday.