Mineola in Wood County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mineola Black Spiders
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2019
1. Mineola Black Spiders Marker
Inscription.
Mineola Black Spiders. . In the 1800s and into the first half of the twentieth century, African-American baseball teams played separately from white teams. The community of Mineola, though small in population, had both white and black baseball teams. The Mineola Black Spiders was composed of African-American men and youth from the town. The ballplayers wore solid gray uniforms and played at Epperson park in south Mineola, in addition to traveling to games in Dallas, Commerce, Shreveport (Louisiana), and other places. Home games sometimes attracted around 200 spectators.
Vernon Klingaman, who moved to Texas in the late 1920s, settling in Mineola, soon became involved with the team. He expanded the roster, opening it to non-residents, and changed the name to the Texas Black Spiders. In 1932, the players departed Mineola for the Midwest, becoming a barnstorming team, staging exhibition games in various locations. That year, the team underwent a name change, becoming the mason city black bats. They headquartered in Iowa, though most members would return to the spiders’ squad, while others moved back to Texas.
The Black Spiders gained a reputation as being one of the fastest teams from the south. They were also very successful; in 1936, the Spiders’ record was 34-1. However, by 1937, there was a substantial turnover in team personnel. The Black Spiders fielded a team in 1938, but disbanded afterward. Today, the team is mostly forgotten in Mineola. However, the Black Spiders remain a significant part of the community’s history as a black baseball team that became a success locally and in the midwestern United States. . This historical marker was erected in 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. It is in Mineola in Wood County Texas
In the 1800s and into the first half of the twentieth century, African-American baseball teams played separately from white teams. The community of Mineola, though small in population, had both white and black baseball teams. The Mineola Black Spiders was composed of African-American men and youth from the town. The ballplayers wore solid gray uniforms and played at Epperson park in south Mineola, in addition to traveling to games in Dallas, Commerce, Shreveport (Louisiana), and other places. Home games sometimes attracted around 200 spectators.
Vernon Klingaman, who moved to Texas in the late 1920s, settling in Mineola, soon became involved with the team. He expanded the roster, opening it to non-residents, and changed the name to the Texas Black Spiders. In 1932, the players departed Mineola for the Midwest, becoming a barnstorming team, staging exhibition games in various locations. That year, the team underwent a name change, becoming the mason city black bats. They headquartered in Iowa, though most members would return to the spiders’ squad, while others moved back to Texas.
The Black Spiders gained a reputation as being
Click or scan to see this page online
one of the fastest teams from the south. They were also very successful; in 1936, the Spiders’ record was 34-1. However, by 1937, there was a substantial turnover in team personnel. The Black Spiders fielded a team in 1938, but disbanded afterward. Today, the team is mostly forgotten in Mineola. However, the Black Spiders remain a significant part of the community’s history as a black baseball team that became a success locally and in the midwestern United States.
Erected 2010 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16321.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1932.
Location. 32° 39.412′ N, 95° 29.418′ W. Marker is in Mineola, Texas, in Wood County. Marker is at the intersection of South Pacific Street (U.S. 69) and South Johnson Street, on the right when traveling south on South Pacific Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: South Pacific Street, Mineola TX 75773, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 248 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.