Richmond City Grandstand & Baseball Field
History
The Richmond City Grandstand and Baseball Field were constructed in 1936 and are located within the Richmond City Recreation Park. There were three main factors in the construction of the grandstand and baseball field.
Funds during the Great Depression. United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Federal Emergency Relief Act to ensure labor for those who lost their jobs. Builders of the stand were Andrew F. Feltman, Joseph H. Lewis, Elwin P. Traveller, Ezra D. Johnson, and Carl B. Johnson.
Popularity of baseball. At the time of its creation, there were no baseball fields in Richmond or the local park. To ensure individuals wanted to play on a field that was big enough to play, Richmond City built the field and grandstand.
Black & White Days. Black & White Days, at the time, did not have a permanent home to show cattle or host their shows.
In 2005, the Grandstand and Baseball Field were listed in the National Registry of Historic Places for its "events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history," and the "property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction." Areas of significance are entertainment/recreation, architecture and social history.
In 2015, the Grandstand was painted to its current tan color.
Builders
Andrew F. Feltman
Joseph H. Lewis
Elwin P. Traveller
Carl B. Johnson
Ezra D. Johnson
Photos
Interior of Grandstand, 2005.
Photo property of National Register of Historic Places.
Source
United States Department of the Interior. National Register of Historic Places (2004, July 15). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Richmond City Grandstand & Baseball Field (Korral Broschinsky). National Archive Catalog. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/71999266