Did you know Galesburg had several different Minor League baseball teams?? The Galesburg Boosters, Hornets and Pavers all played in the early 1900’s. So look at the vastness of this sad empty and abandoned area….then think back to over 100 years ago and hear the cheers for the local teams!
Please replace exactly as you found it so that others can enjoy the hide.
Enjoy the hunt! :-)
Illinois Park, one of Galesburg’s baseball stadiums was located on Monmouth Blvd just about on the site of the former Admiral/Maytag plant. This park had a covered grand-stand and is also where the famous pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander played his first professional game. Alexander broke into professional baseball with the Galesburg Boosters of the Illinois-Missouri League in 1909 and parlayed a brilliant major league pitching career into induction to the Hall of Fame in 1938. Another interesting fact: Ronald Reagan played Alexander in the 1952 movie, “The Winning Team”.
Thanks to Tom Wilson for some great historical information. Here are a couple websites that have even more interesting information. MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AT THE PHOTOS IN THE PHOTO GALLERY...
http://www.galesburg.com/columnists/x1857755914/WILSON-Life-in-Galesburg-s-minor-league-baseball#axzz2YHsExqMP
http://www.galesburg.com/columnists/x1662362162/TOM-WILSON-Alexander-throws-shutout-for-Galesburg-Boosters
http://www.thezephyr.com/alex.htm