Chattanooga in Hamilton County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Joe Engel

1893-1969

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 27, 2021

1. Joe Engel Marker (Side A)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Washington Senators professional baseball team named William Joseph “Joe” Engel president of the Chattanooga Lookouts, its farm team, in 1929. By February of 1930 he had a new $150,000 ballpark, Engel Stadium, which was said to be the finest in the Southern League. Engel and his innovative promotional ideas quickly made him a fixture in Chattanooga. He hosted major league exhibition games, a faux “elephant hunt,” house raffles, and even a female pitcher, Jackie Mitchell. Notable players such as Babe Ruth, Harmon Killebrew, Lou Gehrig, “Satchell” Paige, and Ferguson Jenkins all played at Engel Stadium. During Engel's 35-year tenure, he set Southern League attendance records in 28 seasons and saved the team from being sold.

Engel Stadium and Andrews Field have a long history with Negro League baseball, dating back to the Chattanooga Black Lookouts in 1920 and 1926-27 and the Chattanooga Choo Choos, circa 1940. Even Willie Mays aspired to play for the Choo Choos; he practiced with them while in high school. In April 1952, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, and the Brooklyn Dodgers

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played the Boston Braves in an exhibition game at Engel Stadium. This was the first time a crowd at Engel had experienced integrated baseball teams. The stands and entrances were segregated, but the fans seemed focused on simply seeing a good baseball game. By 1963 the Chattanooga Lookouts fielded a fully-integrated team.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2A 112.)

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 1929.

Location. 35° 2.702′ N, 85° 17.256′ W. Marker is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in Hamilton County. Marker is at the intersection of O Neal Street and Engel Drive, on the right when traveling north on O Neal Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chattanooga TN 37403, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Chattanooga Baseball — Lincoln Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chattanooga Baseball — Engel Stadium (about 700 feet away); Chattanooga Baseball — Negro League Baseball (about 700 feet away); Chattanooga Baseball — Joe Engel (about 700 feet away); Chattanooga Baseball — Jackie Mitchell

Joe Engel Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 27, 2021

2. Joe Engel Marker (Side B)

(approx. 0.2 miles away); Lincoln Park (approx. ¼ mile away); S.W. Angle of Fort Wood (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Steele Home for Needy Children (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chattanooga.

Also see . . . Joe Engel. Biography by Warren Corbett for the Society for American Baseball Research. (Submitted on March 2, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Joe Engel Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, February 27, 2021

3. Joe Engel Marker

Engel Stadium is in the background.

Photographed By University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

4. Joe Engel

Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 94 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on March 2, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.