Casino chips become collectable items
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Casinos and gambling shaped Hot Springs almost as much as the spring waters did. Scores of different clubs came and went, some operating legally and others, not so legally. During the 1950s and '60s, there was a club operating upstairs in the building where Historic District Antiques is now located, called Club Vegas.
The accompanying photograph shows some of the chips used at the local casinos. At the top are chips from the Belvedere Club. Built in 1929, this club came to prominence during the Prohibition Era. It was north of Hot Springs, outside of city limits, which allowed the club to function easier as a casino. It was also used as a stopover point for illegal liquor, heading up to clubs in the north. In the 1950s, the Belvedere hosted many of the Las Vegas entertainers.
The "PC" chips are from the Pine Club. Built in the 1940s, the Pine Club was also located outside the city. A rival to the Belvedere, it featured a restaurant, band stand, and dance floor in addition to gambling.
The lower $5 and $1 chips are from the Citizen's Club. Opened in 1928, it was famous for its bookie operations. The Citizen's Club was one of seven clubs involved in an FBI wire investigation in 1961. Formerly located at 740 Central Ave., it no longer stands today.
One of the most well-known clubs with one of the longest histories is the Southern Club. Built in 1893, it operated as a gambling club, restaurant, and bingo hall until 1971. It was the favorite club of gangster Al Capone. Located at 250 Central Ave., it is the current home of the Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum.
Submitted by the Hot Springs Antiques & Collectibles Dealers Association.
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