History

HOMESTEAD GRAYS

Since 1934, Pullman Park has been a key part of the city of Butler. With its rich history, and a great asset to the community, Pullman Park is truly a treasure…..

Josh Gibson 1945

Credit: Image Donated by Corbis - Bettmann.

http://explorepahistory.com/displayimage.php?imgId=44

The past really is our Future!

Pullman Park’s History

The park’s history
also includes our country’s
period of segregation.
Several Negro League
Teams such as the
Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh
Crawfords played
exhibition games here.

Because of its unique status with the city and the county, the Directors of the Pullman Board of Trust relied on the generosity of governing boards’ budget allocations and any income derived from events and users fees to maintain
and improve the
facilities.

The ball field itself was
well maintained and
operated; unfortunately,
over the years, the site,
buildings, and amenities
fell into disrepair due
to a lack of funding
and attention, and it
ceased to operate in 2005.

Before its demise, in
2001 a steering committee
was formed which included
the City Council of the
City of Butler, the Butler
County Commissioners,
the Pullman Park Board
of Trust, and state
congressmen representing
the City of Butler Area
to form a renovation plan
for the park. The
committee decided that
the historical significance
of the ball field and some
accessory structures
were the most important
components of the facility.
Upon reaching this decision
the committee brought their conclusions to the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler. The Redevelopment Authority stepped in by assuming ownership, and obtained the necessary funding for the construction of the new Pullman Park.

The new Pullman Park, incorporated with the original park’s history continues to maintain memories of times past; Giving tribute to the players, the coaches, and fans who have passed through its gates.

Upon reaching this decision
the committee brought their
conclusions to the Redevelopment
Authority of the City of Butler. The Redevelopment Authority stepped in by assuming ownership, and obtained the necessary funding for the construction of the new Pullman Park.

           Some famous ball
            players to play at
            Pullman Park
            include Joe Page,
            Ed “Whitey” Ford,
            Lou Gehrig,
            Josh Gibson,
           George Selkirk,
           and Joe DiMaggio.

The Yankees played
at the park for 10 years.
Class D baseball was
played at the park
until the early fifties,
when changes in the
minor league system
resulted in the
professional games
leaving town. Other
minor league teams that played at Pullman Park include the Cleveland Indians (1935), and the Pittsburgh Pirates (1951).

Because of its unique status with the city and the county, the
Directors of the Pullman Board of Trust relied on the generosity of governing boards’ budget allocations and any income derived from events and users fees to maintain and improve the
facilities.

George Selkirk

Joe DiMaggio

Lou Gehrig

Whitey Ford

THROUGH THE YEARS:

Home

The original Pullman Park facility was built in 1934 by the Standard Steel Car Company and donated to the City of Butler. The city of Butler established the Pullman Board
of Trust, consisting of a five member court and volunteers, to manage the park.

Pullman Park was one of the largest fields in the state of Pennsylvania and one of the last remaining remnants of the Pennsylvania State Associations and the Mid-Atlantic League.
In its prime, farm teams for the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers called it “home”.