Westown in Milwaukee in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Birthplace of the American League

Photographed by Paul F, January 1, 2008

1. Birthplace of the American League Marker

Inscription. The Republican House, a hotel that stood on this site from 1886 to 1961, was the birthplace of baseball’s American League. On the night of March 5, 1900, Milwaukee attorney Henry Killilea, his brother Matt, Connie Mack, Byron (Ban) Johnson, and Charles Comiskey gathered in Room 185. In defiance of the existing National League, Comiskey’s Chicago White Stockings (later Sox) were incorporated, and the league's eight team alignment was completed. After the 1900 season, the league reorganized, placed teams in Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., and acheived major league status.

Erected 2000 by Society for American Baseball Research, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Milwaukee County Historical Society. This marker was dedicated in the centennial year of Major League Baseball’s Junior Circuit.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Baseball Hall of Famers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1900.

Location. 43° 2.512′ N, 87° 54.879′ W. Marker is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in Milwaukee County. It is in Westown. It is at the intersection of North Old World 3rd Street and West Kilbourn Avenue, on the right when

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traveling south on North Old World 3rd Street. Located on the northwest corner on the fourth fence post from the corner. Fence encloses a parking lot of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milwaukee WI 53203, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Wisconsin. It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

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 the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pere Jacques Marquette, S.J. (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Pere Jacques Marquette, S.J. (within shouting distance of this marker); Father Marquette's Camp - 1674 (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Site in Journalism (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pere Marquette Historic Site (about 300 feet away); First African-American Church Built in Wisconsin (about 400 feet away); Connie Carpenter (Phinney) (about 400 feet away); Andy North (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milwaukee.

Also see . . . The Birth of the American League. The Society for American Baseball Research website entry (Submitted on February 16, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Old Postcard of Republican House Hotel image. Click for full size.

2. Old Postcard of Republican House Hotel

Photographed by Paul F, May 3, 2010

3. Birthplace of the American League Marker

Looking northwest across N. Old World 3rd Street. Marker is on the first post from the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 7,361 times since then and 237 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week February 28, 2021. Photos: 1. submitted on May 4, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 2. submitted on May 25, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on May 4, 2010, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.