 West End Park in 1914 during a game between Houston and New York | |
 Interactive map of West End Park | |
| Location | 601 Andrews Street Houston, Texas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°45′18″N95°22′28″W / 29.75493°N 95.37443°W /29.75493; -95.37443 |
| Public transit | San Felipe line |
| Owner | Houston Buffaloes (1905–1928) Houston Board of Education (1928–1940s) |
| Capacity | 2,500 |
| Record attendance | 8,300 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1905 |
| Opened | April 1, 1905 |
| Renovated | 1908 |
| Closed | 1942 |
| Tenants | |
| Houston Buffaloes (STL,TL) 1905–1927 St. Louis Cardinals (MLB/spring training) 1906–1908 St. Louis Browns (MLB/spring training) 1909–1910, 1915 New York Yankees (MLB/spring training) 1914 Rice Owls football (NCAA) 1912, 1915 Houston Board of Education (UIL) 1928–1942 | |
West End Park was abaseball park inHouston from 1905 to the 1940s. It was the primary ballpark for the city when it was constructed, and the city's first venue forNegro Major League games.[1][2][3] From 1909 through 1910 and again in 1915, it also served as thespring training facility of theSt. Louis Browns (known today as theBaltimore Orioles) as well as the 1914New York Yankees of theAmerican League and the 1906 through 1908St. Louis Cardinals of theNational League inMajor League Baseball. After its use by its primary tenant, theHouston Buffaloes of theTexas League, the ballpark was sold to what is now known as theHouston Independent School District for its use until it was demolished.
Contrary to its name, the ballpark's location was not inWest End, Houston, as that area had not yet been specifically designated as "West End", and the current municipal recreational park of the same has no relation to the ballpark. Instead, West End Park was located in thefreedmen's town area of theFourth Ward, with its entrance at Andrews and Heiner Streets. It was bounded by Andrews Street (north, third base line), Heiner Street (west, first base line), and Howe Street (east, left field fence). Behind the right field fence, to the south, was the inverted-V-shaped intersection of Jefferson Street and Bagby Street. The location was less than a mile straight west of the eventual site ofDaikin Park.
Today[needs update], theInterstate 45 "Pierce Elevated" passes over the area where the ballpark was, from Andrews Street to the Bagby Street exit.[1][4]
Construction of a new ballpark in Houston became necessary after the redevelopment ofHerald Park into a residential neighborhood during the 1904 season.[5] While a temporary ballpark was used to host the rest of games for that season, poor transportation availability made travel difficult, and a new ballpark in theWestmoreland neighborhood was announced to be finished for 1905.
On January 9, 1905, the Houston Buffaloes organization was given authorization by theHouston City Council for construction to begin on West End Park.[6] During construction, a sandy soil was used for the field, so as to absorb moisture more easily.[7] By March 15, the ball park's construction was nearly completed only lacking paint on the grandstand and field preparation.
West End Park opened on April 1, 1905 as an unnamed park with an exhibition game between Houston and the Baton Rouge Cajuns of theCotton States League.[8] Houston lost, 0–2.
The ballpark later received its name through a contest conducted by a committee consisting of theHouston Chronicle sports editor, theHouston Post baseball editor, andSouth Texas League President Bliss P. Gorham. The suggested name chosen would allow its submitter to receive a season ticket to the new park.[9] Ultimately, John T. Schulte of 1018 LaBranch Street was chosen as the winner through a unanimous committee vote on April 16, 1905.[10][11] Other names considered included "San Jacinto Park", "Dick Dowling Park", "San Felipe Park", "Washington Park", and "Gorham Park" among others.
West End Park received major renovations in late 1908 when the Houston Buffaloes ownership increased capacity to the grandstand, added sidewalks and other pavement, and introduced a new grass diamond.[12] During their annual festival, the No-Tsu-Oh Carnival Association had originally erected the stands at the ballpark as a temporary measure, but they were soon purchased by the Buffaloes to expand the grandstand.[13] Other materials used for renovations, such as fences and more bleachers were purchased from nearby Marmion Park.
On December 5, 1911, the grandstand of West End Park was destroyed by a fire. The losses were estimated to exceed $5,000.[14] The grandstand roof was blown off several years later when a storm hit Houston on November 25, 1915.[15]
On January 5, 1927,Sam Breadon, then owner of the team, announced that he wanted to purchase land from the City of Houston to construct a new ballpark.[16] On January 18, it was announced that the location had been purchased in theEast End.[17] Houston's new ballpark,Buffalo Stadium was then constructed for the 1928 season, and the Buffaloes moved from West End Park to the new stadium.
On August 1, 1928, theHouston Board of Education officially purchased the park from the Houston Baseball Association for $100,000 for use as school athletic fields.[18] The park continued under the same name and continued to be used for secondary school, amateur and collegiate athletics, and forNegro league baseball games.[19] With football being the major event for Houston public schools, West End Park was eventually replaced whenPublic School Stadium (later known as "Robertson Stadium") opened in 1942.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, most of the land occupied by the ballpark was used for various purposes when Heiner Street was extended and theGulf Freeway was connected to downtown. The eastern portion of the former ballpark location is occupied by aCenterPoint Energy substation.
TheSells Floto Circus used the West End Park grounds for their show when they came to Houston in September 1907.[20]
West End Park was often used as a site forAmerican football games. In 1908, the ballpark was the host of what was dubbed the "state championship" in high school football with a game betweenHouston High School andSan Antonio High School.[21] This championship preceded the formation of theUniversity Interscholastic League (UIL) that governs Texas high school extracurricular activities today.
From 1908 through 1911, theTexas Longhorns andTexas A&M Aggies played football games at West End Park during Houston's annual No-Tsu-Oh festival.[22] OnThanksgiving of 1910, Texas A&M playedTulane there.[23] West End Park was also the venue of the inaugural football game of theRice Owls against Houston High School in 1912.[1][24][25][26] The Rice teams moved toRice Field when it opened in 1913.
Rice later hostedNotre Dame, Texas A&M, andLSU in football competitions at the ballpark in the1915 season.[27][28] In 1929 the first edition of thePrairie View Bowl, which was the firstbowl game played byhistorically black colleges and universities, took place at the ballpark between thePrairie View A&M Panthers andAtlanta Lions.[29]
West End Park was served by theHouston Electric Company's San Felipe line, which providedstreetcar access during its time.[30] With transfers from Houston'sUnion Station and Grand Central Station, this allowed for direct public transportation usinginterurban lines such as theGalveston–Houston Electric Railway and Houston North Shore Railway.[31]
BALL PARK
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| Preceded by | Home of the Houston Buffaloes 1905 – 1927 | Succeeded by |
