Locations of Austin Negro League Sites - Willie Wells Mural, Downs Field, & Dobbs Field

1/14/2016

I gave a presentation recently for Central Texas Hornsby Chapter of SABR for their 10th Annual Winter Meeting. It was a great event that I had a lot of fun at that featured guest speakers from the Houston Chronicle, Round Rock Express, baseball writers, and more. I will write more about it soon but you can find out more information on here.

My presentation was on Central Texas negro league history and included details and stories on Willie Wells, Biz Mackey, Waco's Katy Park, Jackie Robinson, and more. For people that are interested, here are the addresses to several sites in Austin that have connections to it's negro league history. I will add to this list as I find more information.

Willie Wells Mural and Home: Located in the neighborhood west of South Congress. The mural is in the alley behind the house.
1707 Newton Street

Downs Field: Still in use field that Willie Wells, Willie Mays, Ernie Banks, (probably) Jackie Robinson, and more played on.
2816 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702

Dobbs Field: Original negro league baseball in Austin
I can not find the exact address but I do know it was off of Lake Travis Blvd close the dam. My best guess is around the intersection of Lake Travis Blvd and Redbud Trail.

1 Comment

Tyler Sneed link

8/4/2019 06:27:00 pm

Hello my name is Tyler Sneed. I'm a current resident of the east side of Austin and I play baseball in the Austin Sandlot League.

I'm currently researching a baseball field I saw in aerial photos of Austin and am stuck and desperate. I found your website in my research and was hoping you may be able to help; I'll keep it short:

Was looking at aerial photos of the east side. the 1951 series shows a baseball stadium (not just a field) at the NE corner of current day 12th street and Springdale Rd. I can find nothing anywhere about this field. It is not current-day Downs field as Downs would be another 1.5 or so miles West down 12th street from Springdale.

As I said, I can find nothing about this field anywhere. My current theory is that maybe it was Mabson Field and they moved it to the current location and renamed to Downs without anything being written about it? Anyways, I'm stuck and hoping you can provide help however.

Thanks

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