Wooster in Wayne County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Wooster, Ohio ~ The early years
Charles W. Folis: The First African American Professional Football Player
| — | The Black Cyclone Trail | — |
Photographed by Joel Seewald, July 16, 2026
1. Wooster, Ohio ~ The early years Marker
Charles Follis was born in 1879 to Cathryn and J. Henry Follis in Cloverdale, Virginia. In 1890 they moved to Wooster, Ohio. Charles excelled in baseball and track and field and in 1898 became the captain of the first Wooster High School football team. As Captain, Charles lead [sic] the team to two undefeated seasons and earned the nickname "The Black Cyclone". While playing baseball for Wooster University, he played football for the Wooster Athletic Club. There, Charles faced the tough Shelby Athletic Club (later, the Shelby Blues) and owner Frank Schiffer. Schiffer offered Charles a job, and a place to live in Shelby, Ohio.
Eventually, Charles was paid $10.00 per game as the star player of the Shelby Blues, a recognized professional team of the time, until 1906, when he retired from football due to injuries. While in Shelby, Charles' ability and character impressed his teammate Branch Rickey. Charles Follis finished his pro sports career as a standout catcher and slugger for The Cuban Giants Negro League from Trenton, New Jersey, and sadly passed in 1910 after contracting pneumonia at the age of 30. He is buried
this page online
Charles' story was featured in a play entitled "The Black Cyclone", written and produced by Jim and Amy K. Stoner.
Run Charles, Run for the AGES!
Follow the Trail of a Pioneering Sports Legend
Left image caption: Charles Follis, Shelby Athletic Club/Shelby Blues player 1902-1906. Photo courtesy of Shelby Historical Museum
Right image caption: Wooster High School football team. Photo courtesy of Wooster H.S.
Erected 2022. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.
Location. 40° 48.04′ N, 81° 56.446′ W. Marker is in Wooster, Ohio, in Wayne County. It is at the intersection of North Market Street and Larwill Street, on the left when traveling north on North Market Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 N Market St, Wooster OH 44691, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country and in Greater Cleveland. 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 the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Harvey Howard House / Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); War Savings Stamps (approx. 0.2 miles away); H. Freedlander Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wayne County Soldier’s Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Twenty Pounder Parrott Guns (approx. 0.2 miles away); United States Of America • Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient (approx. 0.2 miles away); General David Wooster (approx. 0.2 miles away); First House Built in Wooster (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wooster.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on September 26, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.
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