NFS Form 10-900 OMBNo. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES 1 IE<SfeTRAttOU FO RM This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations of eligibility for individual properties or di; tricts Se^J^ultiofis^Qflljide ines f< r Completing National Register Forms" (National Register Bulletin 16). Complete each item by marking "> 1 in th ( appropriate boxTJTDy ente ring U e requested information. If an item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not ipplic ble." For functions, styles, mater als, and areas of significance, enter only the categories and subcategories listed in the instructions. For addition "fffflc^'pgfriippnfinuatiop sheets I0-900a). Type all entries. K/,;';UU;;;.; ,.,;'• • ';'••"ffir 1. Name of Property historic name Luther Williams Field other names/site number N/A 2. Location street & number 225 Willie Smokey Glover Boulevard, Central City Park city, town Macon ( ) vicinity of county Bibb code GA021 state Georgia code GA zip code 31202 ( ) not for publication 3. Classification Ownership of Property: Category of Property: ( ) private (X) building(s) (X) public-local ( ) district ( ) public-state ( ) site ( ) public-federal ( ) structure ( ) object Number of Resources within Property: Contributing Noncontributing buildings 1 3 sites 0 0 structures 2 0 objects 0 0 total 3 3 Contributing resources previously listed in the National Register: N/A Name of previous listing: N/A Name of related multiple property listing: N/A LUTHER WILLIAMS FIELD MACON, BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA 4. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property meets the National Register criteria. () See continuation sheet. Signature of certifying official Date W. Ray Luce Historic Preservation Division Director Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer In my opinion, the property () meets () does not meet the National Register criteria. () See continuation sheet. Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency or bureau 5. National Park Service Certification I, hereby, certify that this property is: (^entered in the National Register ( ) determined eligible for the National Register ( ) determined not eligible for the National Register ( ) removed from the National Register ( ) other, explain: ( ) see continuation sheet Keeper of the National Register Date LUTHER WILLIAMS FIELD MACON, BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA 6. Function or Use Historic Functions: RECREATION AND CULTURE/SPORTS FACILITY/PLAYING FIELD AND STADIUM Current Functions: RECREATION AND CULTURE/SPORTS FACILITY/PLAYING FIELD AND STADIUM 7. Description_____________________________________________ Architectural Classification: NO STYLE Materials: foundation Concrete walls Brick; Concrete roof Metal/Aluminum; Metal/Steel other N/A Description of present and historic physical appearance: Luther Williams Field is located in Central City Park, which is southeast and adjacent to the downtown commercial district of Macon. The park is bounded on the west by the CSX Transportation Railroad tracks, on the north by Seventh Street, on the east by the Ocmulgee River, and on the south by a low-lying wooded and industrial area. Interstate 16 is located along the east bank of the Ocmulgee River and the Ocmulgee National Monument is located adjacent to and east of Interstate 16. The park was established in 1826 and continues to be used as a recreational area today. The Georgia State Fair has been held in the park since 1851, and a baseball field has been at the current location of Luther Williams Field since 1904. Luther Williams Field is the third baseball park that was constructed in Macon. The first park, located at the foot of Mulberry Street, east of the present Terminal Station, was built c. 1885. By 1904 a baseball park and grandstand were constructed in Central City Park in approximately the same location as the present field. The current field, grandstand, and ticket office, designed by Curran Ellis, were constructed in 1929. The ticket office (photographs 1, 2, 7, and 12), located in front of the stadium, is a small, brick, three- bay building with a flat tile roof. The center bay is taller than the flanking bays and has an arched walk-through supported by square columns with an iron gate. The flanking bays each contain ticket windows on three sides and an entrance door at the rear (photograph 7). In the early 20th century ball-shaped finials topped the square columns of the ticket office. These were removed and an arched wrought iron banner (photograph 1) with the name "LUTHER WILLIAMS FIELD", added later, now tops the ticket office. The grandstand (photographs 2, 6, and 16) is a concrete and steel structure with locker rooms, offices, concessions (photographs 9 and 10), and restrooms under the seating area. The central LUTHER WILLIAMS FIELD " 3 MACON, BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approved No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section 7-Description section of the grandstand was designed to be 100 feet long, with wings of approximately 70 feet constructed parallel to the third and first base lines. The underneath portions of the grandstand (photographs 2, 5, and 6) have been filled in with brick to accommodate more offices, larger locker rooms, and storage space, however, original materials still exist. Dropped acoustical tile ceilings were installed on the interior, but the underside of the concrete bleachers (photograph 10) can be seen above the tiles as well as original tongue-and-groove ceilings in the coaches' offices. The locker rooms (photographs 21 and 22) are in their original locations under the grandstand. The home team locker room at the southwest end of the grandstand was expanded (photograph 20, at right) in 1994. The grandstand seating area is accessed by three tunnels (photographs 5, 8, 9, and 20) from the front of the stadium. The original monumental brick archways leading into the tunnels still exist. The original steel trusses that support the roof are still present (photographs 11 and 14). The roof has been replaced, and the wooden bleachers have been replaced by plastic seats. A set of metal bleachers on each side of the grandstand (photograph 16, at left and right) sits in the place of the original wooden bleachers that were used by the African-American patrons at the park. The press box (photographs 11, 15, 16, 18, and 19) is suspended from the steel trusses in the roof system directly behind home plate in its original location. The dugouts (photographs 15, 16, and 19) also remain in their original locations. The original field was 250 feet from home plate to the old left field fence, 400 feet to the center field fence, and 250 feet to the right field fence. The field configuration has been changed several times since 1929. Currently the field (photographs 13 and 16) is 335 feet at left field and right field, and 400 feet at center field. A modern fence surrounds the field (photographs 3 and 4). At one time there were foundation plantings around the grandstand entrance. Today landscaping at the park is minimal, but includes foundation plantings near the ticket office (photographs 1 and 2). Parking lots (not included in the boundary) are located in front of the ticket office (photographs 2 and 12) and behind the outfield fence (photograph 3). According to historic photographs from the early 1930s, there was a wooden fence around the front facade of the grandstand in the early 20th century. There were also gates leading to the team locker rooms and the grandstand seating area. According to photographs from the late 1940s, there were wooden bleachers parallel to the foul lines and a covered shed was located adjacent to the outfield fence at the third base line side. Eight light pylons, installed in 1936, surrounded the outfield and playing field, and the outfield fence had painted advertising signs. In 1946 the wood roof covering of the grandstand was replaced, and the walls and bleachers were repainted. In 1947 the infield was plowed under and leveled. Other work included putting rest rooms, visiting and home players' locker rooms, and umpires' dressing rooms in first class condition. By 1954, there were roofs covering the bleachers used by African-American spectators, which were located near the third base line, and new lights were installed in the park. In 1955 the front of the grandstand appears similar to photos taken in 1932 and 1949. In 1956 the fence line was changed to 330 feet at left and right field and 390 feet at center field. The LUTHER WILLIAMS FIELD 4 MACON, BIBB COUNTY, GEORGIA NPS Form 10-900-a OMB Approved No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section 7-Description old wooden bleachers were removed and replaced with new steel stands. Two outfield lights were moved and four towers of new lights were installed on the field. A new electric scoreboard was installed in 1957. An office, with an umpire's room adjoining it, was constructed to the left of the main entrance under the grandstand. The wooden fence surrounding the entrance side of the grandstand was removed and a new cyclone fence was installed. By 1964, the roofs covering the bleachers along the third base line were removed and new bleachers were installed. In 1983 the City of Macon constructed new modern restrooms (the original restrooms were under the seating area between the concession stands and the steps leading to the seating area), painted the grandstand, and installed landscaping.