South Memphis in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Martin Stadium

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

1. Martin Stadium Marker

Inscription. Martin Stadium, formerly known as Lewis Park, was home of one of the most enduring teams of the Negro Leagues — the Memphis Red Sox (1920s-1950s). During its era, the stadium was one of the few African-American-owned and operated ball parks in the country. Robert S. Lewis, Sr., one of the pioneers in Negro baseball, built the park at the corner of Iowa Avenue and Lauderdale Street. Lewis sold the park and Memphis Red Sox to W. S. Martin and his brothers in 1927. Before it was demolished in 1961, Martin Stadium also hosted African-American community events.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4E 148.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 35° 7.466′ N, 90° 2.746′ W. Marker is in Memphis, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is in South Memphis. It is on East E. H. Crump Boulevard just east of South Danny Thomas Boulevard (Tennessee Highway 1), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 494 East E H Crump Boulevard, Memphis TN 38126, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

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 territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lucie Eddie Campbell (approx. ¼ mile away); Booker T. Washington High School (approx. ¼ mile away); Bishop Charles Harrison Mason (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mason Temple (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Baptist Church, Lauderdale (approx. 0.3 miles away); T. H. Hayes and Sons Funeral Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); People's Grocery (approx. half a mile away); WHER - The Nation's First All Girl Radio Station (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Memphis.

Also see . . . When Black Folks Owned Baseball Stadiums in Memphis: Dr. John B. Martin, the Martin Brothers & the N. Post from Black History Heroes blog. (Submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, April 25, 2020

2. Martin Stadium Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 2,229 times since then and 152 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.