The story
Russwood Park stood at 914 Madison Avenue in Memphis. It was built in 1896 as Elm Wood Park or Red Elm Park, and in 1915 owner Russell E. Garner renamed it after himself. It was remodeled in 1921. Home plate sat at the Madison Avenue end, with Dunlap Street along left field and Jefferson Avenue beyond center.
The park housed the Memphis Chicks, the Memphis Red Sox of the Negro American League, and a football team. Elvis Presley performed there on July 4, 1956, and a wrestling card on August 17, 1959, drew an estimated 17,000 to 18,000 fans, a Memphis record.
The last event was a preseason exhibition between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Indians on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1960; the Indians won 2-1 before a reported 7,279 fans. A fire of undetermined origin destroyed the largely wooden park that night. The blaze threatened Baptist Hospital across the street, and patients were evacuated.
What's There Now
Baptist Hospital is across Madison Avenue, and the creek by right field was covered to make a parking lot.
Everything that was here
- 1896–1960
Russwood ParkStadium
Memphis's wooden ballpark burned down on Easter night, April 17, 1960, hours after its last game and close enough to threaten Baptist Hospital.
See the map in 1897 →
Did you know?
Connected places
Phil Smidt's
Busch's Grove
The Corner Ballpark - Detroit PAL
Cape Cod Room
Chin Tiki
Theatrical Grill
Explore the full web of connections on the map.
Nearby history
Sun Studio
Justine's Restaurant (Anderson-Coward House)
The Four Way (Four Way Grill)
Sears Crosstown Building
Crosstown Concourse (Sears Building)
Crown Electric Company
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