Daytona Beach in Volusia County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Early Beginnings
Jackie Robinson
— Jackie Robinson Ballpark & Museum —
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, the grandson of a slave and the son of a sharecropper. In 1920, Jack's father, Jerry, abandoned his wife, Mallie, and their five children, Edgar, Frank, Mack, Willa Mae, and Jack. Mallie Robinson's uncle invited them to move to Pasadena, California, and she packed up their belongings and boarded her “Freedom Train.” On a domestic’s salary she was able to purchase a four bedroom cottage at 121 Pepper Street. Mallie was a pioneer who escaped from bigotry and now refused to accept abuse. She instilled a positive identity, self-esteem, and an intense feeling of entitlement in her children.
Caption:
“Is this the environment (California) I want for my kids and myself? Can we flourish here?”
Mack, Jack Edger, Willa Mae, Frank and Mallie Robinson, Pasadena, California, circa 1925
Photo courtesy of Rachel Robinson
Erected by Daytona Beach, Florida.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Sports • Women.
Location. 29° 12.577′ N, 81° 1.002′ W. Marker is in Daytona Beach, Florida, in Volusia County. Marker can be reached from East Orange Avenue, 0.1 miles east of South Beach Street, on the left when traveling east. Marker located in Jackie Robinson Ballpark and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 105 E Orange Ave, Daytona Beach FL 32114, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sports Memories (here, next to this marker); Breaks Major League Baseball Color Barrier (here, next to this marker); Jackie And Rachel Robinson Arrive In Daytona Beach (here, next to this marker); First Spring Training (here, next to this marker); Rachel Robinson (a few steps from this marker); Jackie's First MLB Spring Training Game (a few steps from this marker); Mary McLeod Bethune (a few steps from this marker); Exceptional Athletic Ability (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Daytona Beach.
More about this marker. This Daytona Beach Ballpark is named in honor of famed Major League Baseball player Jackie Robinson. In 1946, Daytona Beach was the only city along the spring season circuit to allow Robinson to play. This event helped Robinson to eventually break the color barrier in major league baseball. On October 22, 1998, this stadium was added to the United States National Register of Historic Places.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on September 18, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 28, 2017, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.