- Morgan G. Bulkeley Stadium
-
Morgan G. Bulkeley Stadium Former names Clarkin Field (1921-1927) Location Hanmer & George Sts,off Franklin Ave.Hartford, Connecticut Broke ground 1921 Opened 1921 Demolished 1955 Capacity 12,500 Tenants Hartford Senators (1921-1934)
Hartford Blues (1925-1927)
Hartford Bees
Hartford Chiefs
Hartford GemsMorgan G. Bulkeley Stadium was a sports stadium located in Hartford, Connecticut. The facility housed the Eastern League's Hartford Senators and the Hartford Blues of the National Football League. It also included a 1/5 mile dirt oval for motor sports. Originally named Clarkin Field from 1921-1927, the stadium was renamed for former Connecticut governor, Morgan Bulkeley in 1927.
The stadium was the home of Hartford's various minor league baseball team such as the Hartford Chiefs, Hartford Senators, Hartford Laurels and Hartford Bees. The teams that played here between 1921 and 1952 were affiliated with the Eastern League. Lou Gehrig, Jim Thorpe, Leo Durocher, Hank Greenberg, Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain all played for these teams at one point in their careers. Babe Ruth played at Bulkeley Stadium in an exhibition game in 1940. When the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee at the end of the 1952 season, Hartford's minor league team was relocated. The stadium soon feel into disarray and was demolished in 1955. The location of the stadium is currently a nursing home, however a historical plaque was dedicated in 1998.
James H. Clarkin owner of the Hartford Club and the Eastern League Franchise replaced the old Wethesfield Ave grounds with the new Clarkin Field in 1921, later called Bulkeley Stadium. The site was located at Hanmer and George Sts off of Franklin Ave., mintues walk from the old field. "there was a fine playing surface laid out and had erected one of the best minor league structures in the country, with a stand of steel and concrete and dressing rooms, shower baths and complete modern equipment. In 1927 fire destroyed the stand and fence but was rebuilt in less than a month. After a few away games at the beginning of the season, the Senators returned to Hartford for a Gala opening July 1927" according to the "Hartford Courant" March 12,1933 when former owner Clarkin died.
References
Categories:- Sports venues in Connecticut
- Defunct National Football League venues
- American football venues in Connecticut
- Defunct minor league baseball venues
- Buildings and structures in Hartford, Connecticut
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.