Southside Park (1936)

When the Kitty League returned to Owensboro in 1936, the team needed a place to play. For that season, the team would play it’s home games in Southside Park. Which is present day Legion Park. The history of the park, as well as a photo from that era follow:

The first steps to acquire a city park (see note on Smothers Park below) started in 1894, when James H. Hickman suggested to the city council should purchase a wooded 24-acre tract of land south of the city.

The owner of the land, Cam Riley, negotiated a price of $4,000 but the city agreed to only buy the land, not budget for its improvements and maintenance. The citizens of Owensboro eventually rounded up $3,000 to spend on improvements for the park and it became a popular place for picnics. It was originally called Hickman Park, but while Hickman was mayor, he turned the park over to the American Legion for any activities they may see fit and so its name became Legion Park in 1923. In 1908, a driveway was constructed from Frederica Street to the east side of the park and was named Legion Boulevard.

The old baseball diamond in the top left corner of the image was Southside Park. This is where the Owensboro Pirates of the Kitty League first played before moving to Miller Field located at 18th/Triplett the following season.