Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Leon Day Park
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
1. Leon Day Park Marker
This park is named for Leon Day, an outstanding player in the Negro Leagues who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. A resident of southwest Baltimore, Day joined the Baltimore Black Sox in 1934 when African Americans could not play in the Major or Minor Leagues He went on to excel as a second baseman and pitcher for several teams and returned to Baltimore in the 1940s as a member of the Elite Giants He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995 just a few days before he died.
Leon Day played every position in the field but catch, and he played them all magnificently.
Owner of a baseball team
[Captions:]
The flour-producing Five Mills at Calverton, located at the eastern end of this meadow in the 1800s, were powered by water from a millrace that extended from here to Dickeyville.
The Baltimore Elite Giants (below), 1949 Negro National League champions: (top row, from left) Joe Back, Leroy Farrell, (first name unknown) Davidson, Monte Pearson, Bill Byrd, Al Wilmore, Bob Romby, Johnny Hayes, Junior Gilliam, Manager Hoss Walker; (bottom row)
this page online
Erected by Gwynns Falls Trail Council.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Gwynns Falls Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 39° 17.958′ N, 76° 40.275′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park. Marker can be reached from North Franklintown Road. Marker is in Leon Day Park, in front of the baseball field. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1232 N Franklintown Rd, Baltimore MD 21216, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gwynns Falls Trail (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Memorial to John E. Burbage (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bridging Gwynns Falls (approx. 0.9 miles away); Early Transportation Routes (approx. one mile away); Joseph H. Lockerman and the Coppin Normal School (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lillie May Carroll Jackson & Juanita Jackson Mitchell (approx. 1.2 miles away); William “Little Willie” Adams and Victorine Quille Adams
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
2. Leon Day Park Marker with baseball field in background
Also see . . .
1. Image of the marker. (Submitted on March 17, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
2. Gwynns Falls Trail Council. (Submitted on March 17, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.)
Photographed By Christopher Busta-Peck, March 18, 2008
3. Leon Day Park sign, as seen from Franklintown Road
Credits. This page was last revised on August 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. This page has been viewed 5,514 times since then and 347 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 19, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio.
