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Need help identifying 1890's stadium
10 Attachment(s)
I've been amazed at what the board members have been able to identify in the past so thought I'd run this out there. Any thoughts on the identification of this stadium?
These three cabinet cards came in a 19th century photo album. The backs are blank. Other cabinet cards in the group were all from Massachusetts. The stadium looks relatively new and, although the capacity is modest, the quality of the stadium is quite good. The final card shows people milling about after a game. Goal posts are visible in this view which would lead me to think it's is possibly a college game. However, the players bodies look more mature than college boys. There is also a white screen that has been put up during the game seemingly to block to view of non-paying fans, which would make more sense of it being a town team intent on making a profit on this game. Rob M Attachment 337239 Attachment 337240 Attachment 337241 Attachment 337243 For what it's worth, here are some closer views. Attachment 337244 Attachment 337245 Attachment 337247 Attachment 337248 One interesting thing I noticed is the two young kids that are standing beside the field of play. They appear to be African-American and are wearing matching white outfits. Ball boys perhaps? Attachment 337242 Attachment 337246 |
Forgive my (possible) ignorance, but were football goalposts like those prevalent in the 1880's? They don't look rudimentary at all. Could the photograph have been from decades later?
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I'd be inclined to say that this might be closer to 1910's just based on the dress of the spectators.
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I would guess 1910 as well. I once visited a ballpark in Marblehead, MA that sort of looks like it, but it didn't have the turrets on the side. The Marblehead ballpark, which is still there and is very old, also has some old homes beyond the third base line.
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Considering the small size of the player’s gloves, the large number of horse and buggy and the cabinet card size format I believe it’s likely 1890’s. As far as the football goal, those go back well into the 1800’s. In fact, field goals were worth more points than a touchdown originally.
Rob M |
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