Washington University in St. Louis near University City in St. Louis County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Francis Field and Gymnasium

Site of 1904 World Olympic Games

Photographed by Jason Voigt, January 1, 2020

1. Francis Field and Gymnasium Marker

Inscription. The first Olympic Games in the Western Hemisphere were played on this site and in Francis Gymnasium as part of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. These Washington University facilities are named for David R. Francis, 1870 alumnus and the St. Louis organizer of the Olympics and the Fair. Francis also served as Mayor of St. Louis, Governor of Missouri, U.S. Secretary of the Interior and U.S. Ambassador to Russia.

Erected by Washington University in St. Louis.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 38° 38.841′ N, 90° 18.833′ W. Marker is near University City, Missouri, in St. Louis County. It is in Washington University in St. Louis. It is on Forsyth Boulevard 0.1 miles east of Big Bend Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Marker is mounted behind the stands of Francis Field. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27 Pink St, Saint Louis MO 63105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

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the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Francis Olympic Field (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); 100th Anniversary of Kappa Sigma at Washington University (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Aeronautic Concourse of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (approx. ¼ mile away); Harriett Woods (approx. 0.7 miles away); Philippine Village Historical Site (approx. 0.7 miles away); William Greenleaf Eliot (approx. 0.7 miles away); What's in a Name? (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Magazine Building (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in University City.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, January 1, 2020

2. Francis Field and Gymnasium Marker

Wide shot, as seen from Forsyth Blvd

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 573 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 28, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.