5 Historical Baseball Stadiums

5 Baseball Stadiums With a History

  • Fenway Park
  • Wrigley Field
  • Doubleday Field
  • Cardines Field
  • Camden Yards

America has long had a love affair with baseball and that storied past is on display at the country’s many historical baseball stadiums. From the soaring walls of Fenway Park to the community-centered Wrigley field, they living monuments to the sport. Whether you’re a lifelong baseball fan or you’re totally new to the game, these stadiums are worth a visit.

1. Fenway Park

Fenway Park, which is located in Boston, is one of the most historic baseball stadiums in the United States. It’s been operating since 1912, making it the oldest stadium in the Major League Baseball franchise. Today, Fenway is home to the Boston Red Sox baseball team.

This historic stadium is known for the bright green wall that runs along left field, which is best known as the “Green Monster.” It’s the tallest stadium wall in the United States and has been part of Fenway Park since the original structure was built. On the wall, there’s a large manual scoreboard that’s been there since 1934.

2. Wrigley Field

Tucked away from downtown Chicago in the Wrigleyville neighborhood, Wrigley Field is the home stadium for the Chicago Cubs. The history of this baseball stadium is rich, after all, it’s been open since 1914. For much of its lifetime, it doubled as a football stadium for the Chicago Bears.

Wrigley is tucked in the middle of a neighborhood, surrounded by bars and restaurants that come alive on game days. Since there are no parking lots around the area, nearby residents can watch the action from the roofs of their apartment buildings. The stadium’s brick walls and bright red sign are Chicago icons.

3. Doubleday Field

You can find some of the most legendary baseball stadium histories at Doubleday Field, an unassuming site in Cooperstown, New York. Here, legend has it that Abner Doubleday invented American baseball, though no corroborating evidence was ever found to that effect. Regardless, the park has been an important part of the sport’s history since 1920. It was once a farm field but evolved into a stadium over the decades with the introduction of a fence, diamond, and grandstand. The annual Hall of Fame Game was held on the field until 2008. Today, Doubleday Field hosts local teams and collegiate tournaments.

4. Cardines Field

Cardines Field is one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the United States, with a history that dates back to the early 1900s. The stadium was first built on the site starting in 1908 and was originally intended for city league teams. Throughout its decades, the stadium has hosted all-star games and baseball legends including Yogi Berra.

This compact field is located in Newport, Rhode Island, near the Naval Station Newport. It’s known for its rounded grandstand and side-by-side dugouts, as well as the residential neighborhood that sits adjacent to the outfield.

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5. Camden Yards

Camden Yards, which is officially called Oriole Park at Camden Yards, is situated in Baltimore. This park is unique; it was built in 1992 using a historic design. As a result, it offers spectators the classic baseball experience, but with the addition of modern conveniences. The stadium prides itself on being a baseball-only facility; unlike many contemporary facilities, it’s not designed for multi-sport use.

Camden Yard is home to the Baltimore Orioles. In addition to the classic design, the stadium is known for its city-center location and accessibility. In fact, you can get there on foot from the Inner Harbor in less than 15 minutes.

Each of these stadiums is still in operation today; some are home to MLB games, others host local and regional teams. No matter which of these historical baseball stadiums you choose, it’s easy to feel the rich history.