Central Park: Pittsburgh's First Black-Owned Baseball Venue
In the heart of Pittsburgh's Hill District, there once stood a landmark of sporting and social significance known as Central Park. Officially named Central Amusement Park, this venue held the distinction of being the first baseball park in the city that was owned, controlled, and managed by Black ownership. Though its lifespan was brief, it represented a pivotal moment in the intersection of athletics and African American entrepreneurship in Pennsylvania.
Key Facts
- Location: Hill District, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
- Significance: First Black-owned and managed baseball park in Pittsburgh.
- Primary Tenant: Pittsburgh Keystones of the Negro National League.
- Architect: Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger.
- Operational Years: 1920–1925.
Design and Construction
Commissioned in 1920 by Alexander M. Williams, the owner of the Pittsburgh Keystones, Central Park was designed by the renowned African-American architect Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger. Bellinger's contribution to the city's sporting landscape was significant; he would later go on to design Greenlee Field for the Pittsburgh Crawfords.
The stadium featured a grass surface and opened its gates in the summer of 1920. Its layout was tightly integrated into the urban grid of the Hill District, bounded by Humber Way to the north/northwest (third base), Junilla Street to the northeast/east (left field), Hallett Street to the southeast/south (right field), and Chauncey Street to the southwest/west (first base).
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Tenants and Team History
Central Park served as a hub for professional Black baseball during the early 1920s. In 1920, it hosted Sell Hall’s American Giants (Independent). However, it is most remembered as the home of the Pittsburgh Keystones, a member of the Negro National League (NNL), who played there from 1921 to 1922.
The Keystones' tenure was short-lived. After the team folded following the 1922 season, the financial stability of the park wavered. Alexander M. Williams suffered significant financial losses, leading to the eventual sale of the property.
Decline and Legacy
By 1924, Williams sold the park to Sell Hall. Shortly thereafter, the venue was sold again and repurposed as a summer dancing pavilion. By 1925, the original baseball infrastructure was demolished.
Despite its historical importance, the site has faced challenges in receiving formal state recognition. In 2012, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission denied a request for an historical marker. The Commission determined that the venue was of local or regional interest rather than national significance, noting that the state already possessed several markers commemorating the Negro leagues.
Today, the site where Central Park once stood is occupied by a public park.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°26′49″N 79°58′20″W |
| Architect | Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger |
| Owners | Alexander M. Williams (1920-25), Sell Hall (1925) |
| Surface | Grass |
| Key Tenants | Pittsburgh Keystones, Sell Hall’s American Giants |
| Status | Demolished (1925); now a public park |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the official name of Central Park?
The venue was officially named Central Amusement Park.
Who designed the stadium?
The stadium was designed by Louis Arnett Stuart Bellinger, a prominent African-American architect who also designed Greenlee Field.
Which professional teams played at Central Park?
The park hosted Sell Hall’s American Giants in 1920 and the Pittsburgh Keystones of the Negro National League from 1921 to 1922.
Why was the park demolished?
Following the collapse of the Pittsburgh Keystones and the financial loss of owner Alexander M. Williams, the park was sold and converted into a summer dancing pavilion before being demolished in 1925.
Does the site have an official historical marker?
No. In 2012, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission denied a marker request, citing that the site was of local or regional interest and that other Negro league markers already existed in the state.