On January 18, it was announced that the location had been purchased in the East End. 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. The grandstand roof was blown off several years later when a storm hit Houston on November 25, 1915. The losses were estimated to exceed $5,000. On December 5, 1911, the grandstand of West End Park was destroyed by a fire. Other materials used for renovations, such as fences and more bleachers were purchased from nearby Marmion Park. 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. 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. Other names considered included "San Jacinto Park", "Dick Dowling Park", "San Felipe Park", "Washington Park", and "Gorham Park" among others. Schulte of 1018 LaBranch Street was chosen as the winner through a unanimous committee vote on April 16, 1905. The suggested name chosen would allow its submitter to receive a season ticket to the new park. The ballpark later received its name through a contest conducted by a committee consisting of the Houston Chronicle sports editor, the Houston Post baseball editor, and South Texas League President Bliss P. West End Park opened on Apas an unnamed park with an exhibition game between Houston and the Baton Rouge Cajuns of the Cotton States League. By March 15, the ball park's construction was nearly completed only lacking paint on the grandstand and field preparation. During construction, a sandy soil was used for the field, so as to absorb moisture more easily. On January 9, 1905, the Houston Buffaloes organization was given authorization by the Houston City Council for construction to begin on West End Park. 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 the Westmoreland neighborhood was announced to be finished for 1905. (Select the image to view the full map.)Ĭonstruction of a new ballpark in Houston became necessary after the redevelopment of Herald Park into a residential neighborhood during the 1904 season. Section of a map of Houston from 1913, showing the location of the park. Today, the Interstate 45 "Pierce Elevated" passes over the area where the ballpark was, from Andrews Street to the Bagby Street exit. The location was less than a mile straight west of the eventual site of Minute Maid Park. Behind the right field fence, to the south, was the inverted-V-shaped intersection of Jefferson Street and Bagby Street. It was bounded by Andrews Street (north, third base line), Heiner Street (west, first base line), and Howe Street (east, left field fence). Instead, West End Park was located in the freedmen's town area of the Fourth Ward, with its entrance at Andrews and Heiner Streets. After its use by its primary tenant, the Houston Buffaloes of the Texas League, the ballpark was sold to what is now known as the Houston Independent School District for its use until it was demolished.Ĭontrary to its name, the ballpark's location was not in West 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. Louis Cardinals of the National League in Major League Baseball. Louis Browns (known today as the Baltimore Orioles) as well as the 1914 New York Yankees of the American League and the 1906 through 1908 St. From 1909 through 1910 and again in 1915, it also served as the spring training facility of the St. It was the primary ballpark for the city when it was constructed, and the city's first venue for Negro Major League games. West End Park was a baseball park in Houston from 1905 to the 1940s. Houston Board of Education ( UIL) 1928–1942 New York Yankees ( MLB/ spring training) 1914 Louis Cardinals ( MLB/ spring training) 1906–1908
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