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All the United States Illinois Peoria Old Woodruff Athletic Field

Old Woodruff Athletic Field

The remnants of Peoria's proud baseball past stand slightly abandoned, but not forgotten.

Peoria, Illinois

Added By
Scott Fishel
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Old Woodruff Athletic Field   smfishel / Atlas Obscura User
Old Woodruff Athletic Field   smfishel / Atlas Obscura User
Current occupant of the site is Woodruff Park.   smfishel / Atlas Obscura User
Old Woodruff Athletic Field   smfishel / Atlas Obscura User
Old Woodruff Athletic Field   smfishel / Atlas Obscura User
Old Woodruff Athletic Field   smfishel / Atlas Obscura User
Old Woodruff Athletic Field   smfishel / Atlas Obscura User
  ski queen / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The ghosts of would-be big ball players may still visit this place on sunny summer days, ready to suit up for the Peoria Reds, the Peoria Tractors, or the Peoria Chiefs. However, all they will find of their old baseball haunt is this crumbling concrete wall. It’s all that remains of the once beautiful and bustling Woodruff Athletic Field, constructed in 1923 and (mostly) demolished in 1978.

Over the course of three financially rocky decades, Woodruff Field was home to a series of bush league teams that, during the 1950s, drew as many as 124,000 fans during a season. The last minor league game held at the complex was in 1957.

While they still play ball here at the more humble Peoria Park District diamond, minor league baseball has moved to downtown Peoria’s Dozer Park. The Peoria Chiefs, a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate, proudly carry on with the name that hearkens back to this relic of baseball's past.

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Park Sports Baseball Ruins

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Added By

smfishel

Edited By

ski queen

  • ski queen

Published

November 21, 2019

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Sources
  • http://digitalballparks.com/Midwest/Woodruff.html
Old Woodruff Athletic Field
100-226 Grant St,
Peoria, Illinois, 61603
United States
40.706143, -89.56595
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Nearby Places

Camp Peoria Civil War Marker

Peoria, Illinois

miles away

Springdale Cemetery

Peoria, Illinois

miles away

'Peace' and 'Harvest' Sculptures

Peoria, Illinois

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Peoria

Peoria

Illinois

Places 9
Stories 2

Nearby Places

Camp Peoria Civil War Marker

Peoria, Illinois

miles away

Springdale Cemetery

Peoria, Illinois

miles away

'Peace' and 'Harvest' Sculptures

Peoria, Illinois

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Peoria

Peoria

Illinois

Places 9
Stories 2

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