North Capitol in Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

End of an Era

Baseball

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 22, 2021

1. End of an Era Marker

Inscription.

End of an Era. Baseball. , Sulphur Dell was the home of Nashville baseball for almost 100 years. Though for much of that time Nashville Vols fans filled the bleachers, dozens of teams, both black and white, played games at the park. By the 1950s, however, attendance began to wane. The Southern Association and the Negro Southern League both saw decline and eventual closure, but for very different reasons.

The introduction of television and other leisure entertainment outlets after World War Two slowly began to peel away fans from minor stadiums across the country, including Nashville.

Though professional Major League games were televised beginning in the late 1940s, creating a new fan base, minor leagues suffered from the lack of exposure.

The Southern Association also lost out to other minor league towns and eventually Major League cities because they failed to integrate their teams. After Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, dozens of black players were recruited to fill major league rosters over the next decade. For instance, Nashvillian Jim "Junior Gilliam joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1953 taking over second base from Jackie Robinson.Gilliam was name Rookie of the Year. The professional Negro Leagues declined as well. Many of the best black players signed with Major League teams.

In 1961, the Southern Association dissolved. The Nashville Vols played one more season, 1963 in the Double A South Atlantic League before folding. The stadium at Sulphur Dell was in serious decline as well. After weathering the elements for 35 years, the bleachers were dilapidated and in need of repair. Following the Vols departure, Sulphur Dell was used for amateur games in 1964. The following year the infield was converted to a triangle shaped motor speedway for a series of races befoee the ballpark closed for good that June. Sulphur Dell was demolished in 1969.

I remember the spirit of Sulpher Dell, even in its dying days. The crows were sparse, the old stadium needed a good facelift, but the magic of the game and the exciting feeling of another game, and another pitch, and another crack of the bat never lost its allure. , Ernie Leonard

Sulphur Dell was the home of Nashville baseball for almost 100 years. Though for much of that time Nashville Vols fans filled the bleachers, dozens of teams, both black and white, played games at the park. By the 1950s, however, attendance began to wane. The Southern Association and the Negro Southern League both saw decline and eventual closure, but for very different reasons.

The introduction of television and other leisure entertainment outlets after World War Two slowly began to peel away fans from minor stadiums across the country, including Nashville.

Though professional Major League games were televised beginning in the late 1940s, creating a new fan base, minor leagues suffered from the lack of exposure.

In 1961, the

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Southern Association dissolved. The Nashville Vols played one more season, 1963 in the Double A South Atlantic League before folding. The stadium at Sulphur Dell was in serious decline as well. After weathering the elements for 35 years, the bleachers were dilapidated and in need of repair. Following the Vols departure, Sulphur Dell was used for amateur games in 1964. The following year the infield was converted to a triangle shaped motor speedway for a series of races befoee the ballpark closed for good that June. Sulphur Dell was demolished in 1969.

I remember the spirit of Sulpher Dell, even in its dying days. The crows were sparse, the old stadium needed a good facelift, but the magic of the game and the exciting feeling of another game, and another pitch, and another crack of the bat never lost its allure.
Ernie Leonard

Erected 2021.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1947.

Location. 36° 10.293′ N, 86° 47.079′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in North Capitol. It can be reached from 5th Avenue North 0.2 miles north of Harrison Street, on the right when traveling

Baseball Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, May 22, 2021

2. Baseball Markers

north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 815 5th Ave N, Nashville TN 37219, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Baseball Returns (here, next to this marker); The Nashville Vols (here, next to this marker); The Negro Leagues (here, next to this marker); The Grandstands (a few steps from this marker); The Sportswriters (a few steps from this marker); Sulphur Dell (a few steps from this marker); Athletic Park (a few steps from this marker); Origins of Baseball in Nashville (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 14, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 14, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.