9. Henry Aaron, Leroy “Satchel” Paige, Roy Campanella and Babe Ruth played here
Located at 1701 Myrtle Avenue, James P. Small Park is one of the oldest baseball parks in Florida and the only historic park in Jacksonville. Originally built in 1912 and known as Barrs Field, the ballpark served as a Spring Training site for the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Athletics between 1914 and 1922. Rebuilt in 1937, it was also the home field of the Negro League’s Jacksonville Red Caps between 1938 and 1942. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013, the park is still used by local high schools and colleges. Unknown to most, a 2006 renovation added a small museum highlighting the park’s storied history.
Article by Ennis Davis, AICP. Contact Ennis at edavis@moderncities.com