Campbell Park

Campbell Park. Faith, Family, and Education . 9th Avenue South Corridor. , Thomas C. Campbell , In 1918, Thomas C. Campbell relocated to St. Petersburg from Knoxville, Pennsylvania. In addition to running the Campbell Hotel at 219 3rd Avenue N., Campbell bought land between 12th and 16th Streets S. bounded by 5th and 9th Avenues S., which became known as the Campbell Subdivision. Largely divided into lots and sold to African Americans, a portion was set aside specifically for use as a park for the African-American community. , , Campbell Park , Campbell Park, located just across 16th Street S. from John Hopkins Middle School, was once the scene of all major African-American sporting events, community celebrations, and parades. In addition to being the home of ile Dreamland Dance Hall (1930s), the park hosted homecoming parades, Glee Club concerts, mini-golf tournaments shuffleboard, and even Gibbs High School football game between 1930 and 1966. At that time Campbell Park was nothing more than a sandlot with a fence around it. During dry spells, officials often had to stop games in order to let the dust clear, thereby earning the appropriate, but unflattering title, "Dust Bowl." , , During the segregation era and despite adverse conditions, Negro baseball teams played regularty on the field. The players dugout behind first base was used nearly every day. In 1928, the Sunshine Babies started a winning streak that carried them through the Southeast for 16 straight victories. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, the Pelicans of the Florida State Negro Baseball League won the League championship and finished 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (twice). The poor conditions of the field did not keep these top-notch players from success. Eugene H McLin, the City’s first “Negro” Recreational Director was hired in 1945 (see photo below). He played an important role in the improvements to the baseball field that occurred in 1952 , , St. Petersburg Negro League Teams , Florida Gators . Florida State . St. Petersburg Blue Stars (women) . Sunshine Babies . Florida Monarchs . Peter’s Palace Stars (later known as the Pelicans) . Black Saints . Blue Jays . Grays , , Owners , Elder Jordan . James Smith . R.C. Calhoun . Jim Barrett . Henry Brockington . Buster Johnson. . Sam Woods . Bill Pettigrew . Jack Peters . Charlie Williams . George Grogan . Robert Smith . Author Graham . Joe Bryant , , 1926 , Thomas C. Campbell unofficially leaves land to the City of St. Petersburg by allowing “ the Park Board to take over and operate it for colored people.” , , 1928 , A community building with a small library is constructed in the park by an African-American contractor for the Diamond Mutual Progressive Club. , , 1929 , Stands collapse during a game between the Atlanta Black Giants and the Sunshine Babies who regularly practiced and played here. No serious injuries. Special seating accommodations for white spectators. , , 1930 , The city formally leases the land from Campbell. The lease identifies the land as a certain piece of land located in the City of St. Petersburg and to be used by the colored people and known as Campbell Park. , , 1934 , A 3-day competition of “Negro” teams kicks off at the field between the local team and Miami hoisted at Campbell Park. , , 1941 , Summer activities include a shuffleboard tournament, horseshoe pitching contest, croquet contest, picnics, weekly storytelling hour and softball games. , , 1943 , The City purchases the 17 acre for $22,500 and the library closes. , , 1948 , The St. Petersburg Pelicans are the Florida State Baseball League Champions. During an exhibition game with the Winter All-Stars, a white semi-pro team, the stands collapsed injuring one person. , , 1954 , Dedicated on Christmas Day $10,000 of improvements to the now 10-park acre park actual upgrades to the baseball field bleachers to accommodate 2,000 and a permanent stage. , , 1964 , The new $53.000 recreation center adds a nearly 5,000 square foot facility with an auditorium, kitchen, offices, and bathrooms. , , St. Petersburg Negro League Teams , Florida Gators . Florida Stars . St. Petersburg Blu Stars (women) . Sunshine Babies . Florida Monarchs . Peter’s Palace Stars (later known as the Pelicans) . Black Saints . Blue Jays . Grays , , Owners , Elder Jordan . James Smith . R.C. Calhoun . Jim Barrett . Henry Brockington . Buster Johnson . Sam Woods , (captions) , Photo courtesy of Thomas Zurfieh, Great Grandson of Thomas Campbell , , Photos courtesy of the St. Petersburg Museum of History and the Tampa Bay Times. , , St. Petersburg Times, March 29, 1931. Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Times , , The Ethiopian Clowns recruit several St. Petersburg locals including Copper Knee Thompson and James Oliver (for whom the field is later named). Courtesy of Vel Thompson and Joan Thompson Reed.