Chestnut Hill in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Tom Wilson Park / Thomas T. Wilson
1929-1946 / 1883-1947
Photographed By Don Morfe, April 18, 2014
1. Tom Wilson Park side of marker
Tom Wilson Park
1929-1946
Formerly located near this site was Tom Wilson Park. It opened in 1929 and was home to the Nashville Elite Giants baseball team of the Southern Negro League. Owned by Thomas T. Wilson, the facility was one of two African-American owned professional ballparks. Wilson Park also hosted spring training sessions for the Nashville Vols. a minor league team of the Southern Association. Spring training games brought such baseball greats as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Roy Campanella to the park. In 1946, Tom Wilson resigned and discontinued all ball activities at Wilson Park.
Continued
Thomas T. Wilson
1883-1947
Thomas T. Wilson, a businessman, sportsman, and founder of the Nashville Elite Giants, began his baseball association with the Nashville Maroons in 1909. He organized the Nashville Elite Giants in 1921. Besides being an owner, Wilson served as secretary and president of the Negro Southern League and vice chair , treasurer, and president of the Negro National League. After quitting baseball and ceasing ball activities at the park, he opened the Paradise Ballroom on the same site. Entertainers included Lionel Hampton, Cab Calloway and Sarah Vaughn.
Erected 2003 by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.
Location. 36° 8.717′ N, 86° 45.855′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in Chestnut Hill. Marker is on 2nd Avenue South (US 41A) north of Hart Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 2nd Avenue S, Nashville TN 37210, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Patrick Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Dudley Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hubbard House (about 700 feet away); First Steam Locomotive (approx. 0.2 miles away); A History of Restoration (approx. ¼ mile away); Lieutenant Henry Alvin Cameron 1875-1918 / Cameron School (approx. ¼ mile away); From Burying Ground to Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Battle of Nashville (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.
Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, March 9, 2024
2. Tom Wilson Park / Thomas T. Wilson Marker
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 29, 2020
3. Thomas T. Wilson side of marker
Photographed By Don Morfe, April 18, 2014
4. Tom Wilson Park Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,328 times since then and 70 times this year. Last updated on April 3, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Photos: 1. submitted on June 13, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 11, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on April 3, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on June 13, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
