Home Featured News Little Rock’s Lassis Inn: The epicenter of catfish and civil rights

Little Rock’s Lassis Inn: The epicenter of catfish and civil rights

by The 100 Companies

Joe and Molassis Watson sold sandwiches out of their home in 1905, but business boomed when they started making catfish. Soon after, the Lassis Inn was born and its storied history includes far more than fish.

During the 1950s, civil rights leaders often met there, one of the few safe places to organize and discuss segregation. Today, the establishment features the same décor, lovingly described in the book “Cornbread Nation 5 as the “architectural equivalent of minding your own business.”

“No Dancing” signs are still displayed, harkening back to the boisterous patrons who caused damage when the jukebox was installed.

– Eve Lederman, The 100 Companies

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The Arkansas 100