Ephrata War Memorial Field Complex
1945
Fundraising efforts began in December to construct a "living memorial to those who served so gallantly to make the world a safer place." $50,000 was needed for the construction, which originally included a football field, tennis courts, a track, and a baseball field.
1947
Cloister Post No. 429, American Legion, Inc. entered into a lease with the Ephrata War Memorial Association for 99 years for an annual rental fee for $1.00 per year.
1948
The first Ephrata High School varsity football game was played at the War Memorial Field on September 11. Ephrata lost to Muhlenberg Township, 7-6.
1949
The first baseball game was played at the complex on March 24. Ephrata earned an 18-7 win over Rothsville High School.
1954
Cloister Post No. 429, American Legion, Inc., sells the War Memorial Complex land to the School District of Ephrata Borough. The pre-existing agreement remained in effect.
1957
The Ephrata Union School District began leasing the land to the Ephrata War Memorial Association under a new agreement, which outlined the War Memorial Association make an annual payment of $1.00 to the School District.
1962
Ephrata High School students helped the War Memorial Association and the Ephrata Junior Chamber of Commerce
this page online
2014
A dedication ceremony was held to celebrate the installation of a synthetic turf playing surface that included fields for football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, and field hockey. The project was launched with a $1 million anonymous donation.
2015
The original bathroom building, which was constructed in 1950, was demolished and a larger facility was built with the addition of a new training room.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Parks & Recreational Areas • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is March 24, 1945.
Location. 40° 10.883′ N, 76° 11.484′ W. Marker is in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, in Lancaster County. Marker is on Old Mill Road, 0.1 miles south of Reading Road (Pennsylvania Route 272), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 Old Mill Rd, Ephrata PA 17522, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Brandywine Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mount Zion Buildings (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brothers' House Complex (approx. ¼ mile away); Home of Conrad Beissel (approx. ¼ mile away); The Kedar (approx. ¼ mile away); Ephrata's Women Composers
Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2021, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2021, by William Pope of Marietta, Pennsylvania. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
