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Summary
Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field
917 East Mifflin Street, Madison, Dane County, WI
Architects: Claude & Starck; Civil Works Administration
Dates of Construction: 1925, 1934
Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field is located just eight blocks east of the Wisconsin State Capitol Building. The most prominent features of the Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field are the C-shaped 1925 Claude and Starck angled brick grandstand, the 1934 CWA concrete bleachers, and 1934 CWA perimeter stone wall. Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field is the oldest city owned and operated athletic field in the City of Madison. It is also the oldest extant masonry grandstand in Wisconsin. This facility has been in continuous use since its opening day on May 5, 1926.
The facility was originally designed as a baseball stadium. In the 1920s baseball had become America’s favorite pastime and Madison was no different in their enthusiasm for the game. With the onset of the Great Depression and then World War II, baseball was the country’s most popular social activity and many followed baseball as an escape from the reality of the times. From 1940 to 1942, a minor league team known as the Madison Blues, who played in the Three-I League, played their home games at Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field. The Madison Blues were a farm team for the Chicago Cubs. Summer try-outs were held at the field in the late 1940’s for such teams as the Philadelphia Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals. Until the 1960s, the field was the only lighted field in Madison.
This facility has been in continuous use since 1926 for baseball, high school football and soccer. However, as an entertainment facility a multitude of venues from midget car racing, concerts, circuses, track and field events, religious services and drum and bugle corps competitions have been held at the field.
Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field has had a very personal relationship with the citizens of Madison. In 1980, the City of Madison budgeted $60,000 to tear down the stadium. Residents spoke out loudly that they did not want to see Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field destroyed. Madison citizens encouraged that their tax payer dollars be used to fund restoration and rehabilitation of the field. The monies which were earmarked to demolish the field were used to repair this popular facility. The City of Madison is very proud of its decision not to tear down this facility. Breese Stevens Municipal Athletic Field continues to provide the community a variety of sporting events as well as other entertainment venues.
Property Details
| Criteria | Event |
|---|---|
| Area Of Significance | Entertainment/Recreation |
| Period of Significance | 1928-1964 |
| Architectural Style | Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| Architect | Claude & Starck,Civil Works Administration |
| Resource Type | Structure |
| Historic Use | Sport Facility |
Resources Within The Property
| Contributing Buildings | 0 |
|---|---|
| Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Contributing Structures | 3 |
| Contributing Objects | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Buildings | 3 |
| Non-Contributing Sites | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Structures | 0 |
| Non-Contributing Objects | 0 |
Designations
| Historic Status | Listed in the State Register |
|---|---|
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Nov 21, 2014 |
| Historic Status | Listed in the National Register |
| National Historic Landmark Listing Date | Aug 3, 2015 |
State & National Registers of Historic Places
The State Register and National Register recognize buildings, sites, districts, structures, and objects that are significant in national, state, or local history. The State Historic Preservation Office in conjunction with the National Park Service maintains the list for Wisconsin and makes the data available to the public for research and education.
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Email UsAttribution
For a credit line: Wisconsin Historical Society, Creator, Title, Unique Identifier.
The Unique Identifier can be found at the top or bottom of the page for each item. The name of a downloaded file is NOT the unique identifier.
For bibliographic citations please consult the UW-Madison Libraries Citation Research Guide to ensure compliance with appropriate style guidelines.
Breese Stevens Field
May 13, 1931
Elevated view of Breese Stevens Athletic Field illuminated at night, with the Madison Blues, Eddie Lenahan, manager, practicing baseball. Alternate view.
Breese Stevens Field
May 13, 1931
Elevated view of the Breese Stevens Athletic Field baseball diamond illuminated at night.
Havana La Palomas — Ed Hamman Baseball Clown
circa 1940-1949
Promotional poster created by Globe Poster Corporation announcing a baseball game between the Havana La Palomas, of the Independent Negro League, and the Wrend Builders team. The game was at Breese...
V.F.W. Baseball Team at Breese Stevens Field
June 29, 1935
Group portrait of twelve boys on the V.F.W. baseball team in uniform, with the male coach standing on the right.
