Hamtramck in Wayne County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Hamtramck Stadium
Side 1
After the Civil War, black and white baseball players could play on the same teams. But by 1900, black players were excluded from white professional leagues. More than 4,000 African Americans and Latinos played baseball in U.S. professional Negro Leagues while baseball was segregated. The Detroit Stars and Detroit Wolves represented the city in four major Negro leagues. National Baseball Hall of Fame members who called Hamtramck Stadium home included Norman "Turkey" Stearnes, "Cool Papa" Bell and "Smokey Joe" Williams. Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson played on visiting teams here. In the 1930s, in addition to Negro league games, the stadium hosted community and scholastic baseball and football, midget car races and boxing matches.
Side 2
When the Negro National League was founded in 1920, one of its eight charter teams was the Detroit Stars, who played at Mack Park on Detroit's East Side. A 1929 fire damaged Mack Park, so owner John Roesink built Hamtramck Stadium in 1930 on land leased from the Detroit Lumber Company. The new stadium had a twelve-foot-high metal outfield fence, box seating, and bleachers down the right field line. In May 1930, some 9,000 fans attended the grand opening, where former Detroit Tiger Ty Cobb threw out the first pitch. In June 1930, Michigan's first night baseball game was played here; the Stars played the Kansas City Monarchs under a portable lighting system. In 2012, Hamtramck Stadium was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Erected 2014 by Michigan Historical Commission-Michigan Historical Center. (Marker Number S731.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1930.
Location. 42° 23.407′ N, 83° 3.185′ W. Marker is in Hamtramck, Michigan, in Wayne County. Marker is at the intersection of Joseph Campau Avenue and Goodson Street, on the left when traveling south on Joseph Campau Avenue. The marker is in Veteran's Park; the stadium is about 0.2 mile from the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hamtramck MI 48212, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Colonel John Francis Hamtramck (a few steps from this marker); Hamtramck Veteran's Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dodge Brothers / Dodge Main (within shouting distance of this marker); Tau Beta Community House (approx. ¼ mile away); Saint Florian Church / Saint Florian Historic District (approx. 0.4 miles away); Saint Francis Hospital (approx. 0.6 miles away); Poletown and Eminent Domain (approx. 0.6 miles away); Central Woodward Christian Church (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamtramck.
Additional commentary.
1. Stadium added to the NRHP.
Hamtramck Stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 31, 2012.
— Submitted May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 429 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 6, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.