Starkville in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)

"Cool Papa" Bell

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 5, 2019

1. "Cool Papa" Bell Marker

Inscription. James "Cool Papa" Bell (1901-1991) was born in Starkville. Renowned as the fastest man to ever play baseball. During his career (1922-1950), Bell played for or managed teams primarily in the Negro Leagues. In his career, Bell never hit below .300. In 1974, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Erected 1999 by Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Baseball Hall of Famers, and the Mississippi State Historical Marker Program series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1974.

Location. 33° 26.681′ N, 88° 49.96′ W. Marker is in Starkville, Mississippi, in Oktibbeha County. It can be reached from Lynn Lane. Located in McKee Park by ballfields. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 Lynn Lane, Starkville MS 39759, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East Mississippi, in the Black Prairie,

and in the Golden Triangle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Black Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: W.H. "Corn Club" Smith (approx. 0.8 miles away); Grierson's Raid (approx. 0.9 miles away); Louisville Street Cemetery (approx. 1.2 miles away); Greensboro Street Historic District (approx. 1.4 miles away); Hic A Sha Ba Ha Spring

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(approx. 1½ miles away); Overstreet School District (approx. 1½ miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Odd Fellows Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Starkville.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Other markers about Cool Papa Bell

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on James Thomas "Cool Papa" Bell (w/ photo). (Submitted on October 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

"Cool Papa" Bell Marker at the McKee Park baseball fields. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 5, 2019

2. "Cool Papa" Bell Marker at the McKee Park baseball fields.

View from marker towards Lynn Lane. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, October 5, 2019

3. View from marker towards Lynn Lane.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 752 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 9, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.