North Mankato in Nicollet County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Tanley Field

Photographed by Koen Schneidawind, June 16, 2026

1. Tanley Field Marker

Inscription. In 1936, Bill Tanley, a bottler for Key City Beverages, came up with the idea of building a baseball field sited at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Center Street. Originally called "Key City Park," in 1937 the ballpark was renamed Tanley Field after its founder.

Within two years the field was expanded to include more seating, shower and expanded dressing rooms, covered dugouts, a press booth, lighting for night games, and a loudspeaker. It became a popular regional ballpark, and in 1947 hosted the Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament, setting a record attendance. That same year an electronic scoreboard was installed for the game.

However, like many homes and businesses in lower North Mankato, the ballpark facilities were completely flooded out in April of 1951. In 1958 the park was torn down to make room for the construction of the Monroe Elementary School.

Erected by North Mankato History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1951.

Location. 44° 10.522′ N, 94° 0.806′ W. Marker is in North Mankato, Minnesota, in Nicollet County.

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It is at the intersection of Monroe Street and Center Street, on the left when traveling west on Monroe Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 441 Monroe Street, Mankato MN 56003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota and specifically in the Minnesota River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Early North Mankato Government (approx. 0.4 miles away); Marigold Dairy (approx. 0.4 miles away); Riverfront Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); Minnesota River Steamboating (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ho-Chunk / Winnebago (approx. 0.7 miles away); Reconciliation and Remembrance (approx. 0.7 miles away); Reconciliation Park (approx. 0.7 miles away); Korean War (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map

Photographed by Koen Schneidawind, June 16, 2026

2. Tanley Field Marker

of all markers in North Mankato.

Photographed by Koen Schneidawind, June 16, 2026

3. Tanley Field Marker

The building in the background is Monroe Elementary School.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 16, 2026, by Koen Schneidawind of Mankato, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on July 3, 2026, by Koen Schneidawind of Mankato, Minnesota. 2, 3. submitted on June 16, 2026, by Koen Schneidawind of Mankato, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.