Washington University in St. Louis near University City in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Francis Olympic Field
Photographed By Jason Voigt, January 1, 2020
1. Francis Olympic Field Marker
Francis Olympic Field served as the main site of the 1904 Olympics. It is named in honor of 1870 Washington University graduate David R. Francis, whose visionary efforts brought the Olympic Games to St. Louis in parallel with the 1904 World's Fair. After leasing this land for the games, the university began use of the field in 1905.
This site was known as Francis Field for more than a century. In 2019 the International Olympic Committee bestowed the rare honor of renaming it Francis Olympic Field in recognition of its importance in Olympic history as the first modern-day Olympic stadium and birthplace of the gold medal. This recognition extends to the nearby Olympic Ring 'Spectacular' sculpture and a commemoration on the press box. The words included on the gate (The Francis Field) were updated in 2019 to reflect its unique "Olympic" designation.
[Caption:]
The granite and ornamental iron gateway to Francis Field, now named Francis Olympic Field, was built in 1914 by the Pickel Stone Company.
Erected 2019.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 38° 38.872′ N, 90° 18.749′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Francis Field and Gymnasium (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 100th Anniversary of Kappa Sigma at Washington University (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Greenleaf Eliot (approx. 0.6 miles away); Charles M. Russell (approx. 0.6 miles away); Harriett Woods (approx. 0.6 miles away); Ed Macauley (approx. 0.6 miles away); Michael McDonald (approx. 0.6 miles away); What's in a Name? (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in University City.
Regarding Francis Olympic Field. David R. Francis served as President of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (also known as the 1904 World's Fair), in addition to being President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games from 1900 to 1904. He served many political positions: Mayor of St. Louis (1885-1889), Governor of Missouri (1889-1893), United States Secretary of Interior (1896-1897),
Photographed By Jason Voigt, January 1, 2020
2. Francis Olympic Field Marker
In front of the granite and iron gates
Also see . . .
1. Francis Olympic Field on Wikipedia. Wikipedia page for the historic field (Submitted on January 1, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Francis Olympic Field. From Washington University in St. Louis' website, this talks more about the history, as well as the current athletic teams that use the park. (Submitted on January 2, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 1, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
