Urban Parks: James P. Small Park
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/493680494_Sv2Yo-M.jpg)
Located at 1701 Myrtle Avenue, the 4.82 acre James P. Small Park is a direct link between today's community and the Negro baseball leagues of the early 20th century.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/1037
What percentage of Jacksonville residents would you say even know the ballfield and it's history?
Nice bit of history. Is the stadium used for anything in particular now?
Yes, I have seen Stanton's baseball team practice there.
Stanton baseball plays games there as well, I've seen my brother in law and cousin both play there.
Copperfiend--
Probably something like < 2%, sadly.
Thanks for the photo tour, Ennis - great stuff as always.
This place is a real treasure to have in this city. Quite frankly, I'm suprised its still standing.
Quote from: thelakelander on April 01, 2009, 03:08:15 PM
Quite frankly, I'm suprised its still standing.
True. At least we've still got our T-Rex on Beach though, right? Am I right?
This city can be so frustrating.
Yes, I think the T-Rex is still there.
The ballpark and a brief narrative of the history of Negro League Baseball was outlined in a small, obscure section of the Jacksonville Suns program a few years ago. After reading it, I drove to the site, walked around, and took the place in. If you are a baseball fan, it's worth a trip to see the ballpark. As a fan of both history and baseball, and baseball history, I think it's a special place, and I am glad to see that it is in reasonably good condition.
I'm not sure, but I think Edward Waters College's baseball team plays their home games at this ballpark.
Quote from: thelakelander on April 01, 2009, 06:00:24 PM
Yes, I think the T-Rex is still there.
Sorry, I was being sarcastic earlier. Not only is it still there, it was saved and
restored because enough people complained.
I just got a little smarter reading about this field, and seeing the pictures. I'm speechless at the talent who has played on that field, and I hope to go there, close my eyes, and imagine what it must of been like. Thanks for the education lesson in Baseball history here!
QuoteWhat percentage of Jacksonville residents would you say even know the ball field and it's history?
The 5 % that lives in Durkeeville and maybe Ock.
I got like 3 Redcaps tshirts and
had a Cooperstown Throwback jersey with the # 38, the year the Redcaps played in Jax.
Do they still play games at this park?
Jacksonville has an outstanding history of accomplishments by our Black community that have made marks on the entire nation. Not only in baseball, football (Bob Hayes and many others), basketball (Artis Gilmore and others), but also in the arts and culture, politics, etc. We could have as a stand-alone attraction, a Black history museum, and it would be a national treasure. Although, my preference would be to have it incorporated as a substantial part of a Jacksonville HISTORY museum that highlights all our community accomplishments! Such a project would be supported by the entire community and would be a gem for us all. What are we waiting for?
Quote from: stjr on April 05, 2009, 09:34:15 PM
Jacksonville has an outstanding history of accomplishments by our Black community that have made marks on the entire nation. Not only in baseball, football (Bob Hayes and many others), basketball (Artis Gilmore and others), but also in the arts and culture, politics, etc. We could have as a stand-alone attraction, a Black history museum, and it would be a national treasure. Although, my preference would be to have it incorporated as a substantial part of a Jacksonville HISTORY museum that highlights all our community accomplishments! Such a project would be supported by the entire community and would be a gem for us all. What are we waiting for?
I just read the recent MJ article on the La Villa Museum of African American History in N.E. Florida. Wow. Looks great. I am a native and consider myself well informed of Jax goings-on, and I don't recall ever hearing about this place. My ignorance in making the previous post is proof positive they need to do more to promote it.
I didn't see a mention of the Negro leagues in the La Villa Museum article. Is this featured as well? Do they attempt to cover all of Jax African American history, or just pieces of it? Do they have a research and archives department?
Just think if we had one unified Jax History museum, the spotlight that we could shine on all of our community's history would be magnified many fold and the collaborative curating and research that could be done to weave a total Jax historical experience. These mostly unknown-to-the-greater-community museums are never going to pull in the crowds or have the abilities that a centralized facility would with enhanced resources and a more varied audience.
Most of the museum's focus revolves around the LaVilla area. The largest local Negro leagues exhibit is located in a well hidden space inside the old ballpark. Jacksonville definitely gets an F for marketing its significant history.
When is the museum at J.P. Small open?
There is no set time. Typically, it's closed. I got in because I was out taking pictures of the ball park, a maintenance guy noticed me, told me about the museum inside, and unlocked the door so I could check it out.