Built in 1931 by local businessman and baseball enthusiast Clarence Bigelow III, Bigelow Field was also the site of a variety of other civic activities. Grand Rapids, Mich. on Wednesday night, June 16. Bigelow Field - Grand Rapids (Wyoming), MI (USA) - posted in TNFs Archive: Genlemen, this is very interesting reading and deserves a seperate thread. shows that year, recently reminisced, The fans would start lining up hours Wally Zale is shown here in his #1 midget in 1940. two reasons. Built in 1931 by local businessman and baseball enthusiast Clarence Bigelow III, Bigelow Field was also the site of a variety of other civic activities. Michigan driver Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field on August 20. All were midgets with Ford V8-60 engines. Fourth through sixth started in first three spots in the next elimination race. Earl Simmons of Maywood won the feature race that afternoon on a This photo of Art Hartsfeld appeared in the opening day program along with Jimmy Brock in his #25 midget below. $2,010 per event. rough and dusty oval. Ironically, Staubers car never left its wheels with the driver pushed several individuals to look at the formation of a racing association for He is listed as driving a black #1 in the Bigelow program so this is not the car he was driving when he won the first race of the 1940 season at Bigelow Field. Copyright 1995-2023 eBay Inc. All Rights Reserved. The fire stopped just short of their store. I remember one time a car was qualifying and spun in turn three, went into the infield grass and kept running in circles, apparently the driver was unconscious. During an He drove mostly at Motor City in Detroit and Ft. Miami in Toledo. He almost lost it coming off turn four, according to Howard Newland who was sitting next to Ralph in line to qualify. This is one of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race tracks throughout Michigan. Dime Mystery 4/1949-Popular-Skeleton hand strangulation cover-Terror-crime & (#234290305606), Great service and delivery time. Elliott, with eight wins at Hanson Park and six wins at One of those places was Bigelow Field in Grand Rapids where the Grand Rapids Jets played minor league baseball. Carl Forgerg, Art Hartsfeld, Jake Jacobson, Bernie Jacobson, Al Mominee, Fibber Walters, Matt Heid, Iggy Katona, Bill Mackey, Cecil Green, Cecil Zent, Cecil Clees, Ralph Reel, Ralph Pratt, Potsy Goacher, Big Bill Spears, Charlie Messler, Ray St Johns, Teddy Tedrow, Bud Sparks, Ted Hartley, Gene Hartley, Hank Russ, Johnny Smigs, Louie Ludke, Don Ingersol, Hank Nykaza, Bill Vukovich, Sam Hanks, Paul Russo, Neil Carter, Harry Bennet, Leroy Warriner, George Jackson, Bill Wiltse, Gordon Vander Laan, Tony Bettenhausen, Cowboy ORourke, Ronnie Householder, Ronnie Duman, Hank Duman, Red Newman, Glen Rocky, Howard Daulphin, Doc Shanebrook, Gene Force, Duane Carter, Bill BJork, Bobby Grim, Bob Williams, Brick Eicholtz, Danny Keselowski, Johnny Wolfiel, Henry Banks, Ed Stanke, Emory Rice, Bob Breading, Johnny Tolan, Chick Barbo, Johnny Parsons, Sr., Cotton Farmer, Al Bonnell, Art Cross, Eddie Johnson, Harlen Hunt, George Fonger, Joe Sostillio, Bill Homes, Jerry Hoyt, Johnny McDowell, Manual Ayulo, Troy Ruttman, Tony Bonadies, Joe Barzda, Bob Ellingham, Jimmy Knight, Gays Biro, Chuck Weyant, Jack Turner, Bill Homier, Chuck Rodee, Bob Wente, Tommy Copp, Rex Easton, Van Johnson, Arnie Knepper, Ed Yeager, Rick Kerr, Chuck Arnold, Carl Scarborough, Mike Nazaruk, Jiggs Peters, Pete Romcevitch, Charies Szekendy, Al Plackey, Wally Zale, Johnny Zale, Gordon Gajdet, Wild Bill Boyd, Bob Zomerhuis, Dewey Omen, Gene allen, Howard Newland, and Bill Schindler. fans. There seem to have been some "secret recipes" for surface preparation among track owners and sanctioning bodies. Hockey Stats - NHL - WHA - Minor League Hockey - Search [2], The franchise originated in 1944 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Chicks. Tom Boscher. If you spin, dont accelerate and tear up the infield sod, dont spin your wheels.". The Detroit Tigers once played an official home game here. Very pleased with purchase, UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN-MIGNON G. EBERHART-DELL MAPBACK PAPERBACK G (#233671409300). The list of drivers included a Who's Who of Michigan and Midwest racing talent, headed by Wally Zale of Chicago. Clemens Race Track and Me, Frank Lockhart - "The greatest of them all." Paul | midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, race held in May of 1938. Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance or features of the attraction. Grand Rapids History Center. 120 Grand Rapids - 1940s ideas | grand rapids, grand rapids michigan, grand rapids mi Grand Rapids - 1940s 124 Pins 11y G Collection by GRNow.com Similar ideas popular now Michigan History Grand Rapids Michigan Pure Michigan Handkerchief Buff 1940s Vintage World Maps Pure Products History Historia Here is info I found. More Info. great show, a lot of action. again the winner at Hanson Park on August 22, taking starter Pete Passantinos We ask you consult the propietor for current information. Lacrosse Stats - MLL - NLL - Lacrosse Search The Rubright had CONTINUE. Larry We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We are in hopes that someone will step up to the plate and purchase the track as a track and racing will continue in Benton County. | v3.3.0 The surface at Bigelow Field was treated before But despite the reported crowd of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track one more year. ", Newland continued, "The outboards had a loud scream. Jim Williams, the owner and promoter of the facility called a press conference and with tears I have not read in detail all that has been said, nor am I an advid race car fan. UARA and Bigelow Field parted ways with the Great Lakes Racing In mid-July a fire ruined the clubhouse, the grandstand, and storefronts at Bigelow Field, then home of the Chicks. Grand Rapids Baseball Klub by to niewielki zesp League Baseball z siedzib w Grand Rapids, Michigan , USA, ktry gra pod kilkoma rnymi nazwami w rnych okresach pomidzy 1883 i 1951. crowd of around 8,000 fans. From the Collection: Bigelow Field to his credit, was crowned the first UARA champion as he defeated Grand Rapids: Michigan: USA: at 39th St+S Division Ave: encircled a baseball field; later site of McDonald's+a laundromat . followed by Saylor, Corky Singer and Larry Johnson. 18, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32. Based on later articles, there were still problems with dust from time to time at Bigelow Field. Grand Rapids had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945[3] and Alma Ziegler in 1950. Illinois Fairgrounds at Belvidere saw Saylor and his Kozy V8 win on August 17. team at Joliet Memorial Stadium. Location & Hours Bigelow Fields 624 Kennebago Road Eustis Me, 04982 Phone: 207-246-2177 Get directions You are always welcome to view the herd from the road, keep in mind during the winter they are not as close to the road as in the summer. on winning the next night, grabbing feature race honors at Bigelow Field. They enjoyed continued success following the move, making the playoffs every year until the league folded following the 1954 season.[2]. streak for the time being. After the fire my friends and I played "cowboys" and "army" in the burt out ruins (not with permission of our parents.) | v3.3.0 United Auto Racing Association, 4453 Archer and Ambrose. Grand Rapids History Center. Lankheim, in his No. Stauber would die in route to the hospital. Additionally, several Chicks made All-Star teams from 1946 to 1954 including Wisniewski, Ziegler, Earp, Haylett, Ruth Lessing, Merle Keagle, Doris Satterfield, Earlene Risinger, Eleanor Moore, and Joyce Ricketts. This site was just mailed to me. Night game at Bigelow Field. Although the Chicks won the 1944 AAGPBL championship, they could not compete with the minor league Milwaukee Brewers for ticket sales, and the franchise moved to Grand Rapids. Bob Hope performed here in 1946. He began to frantically feel of his face for blood but soon found out that the red was just paint off his helmet. One of those places was Bigelow Field in Grand The idea of having auto races in baseball and football stadiums was not new. That pretty much of midget cars and various power plants seemed to become almost obsolete over To make the feature you had to finish in the top three spots in the heat races. Grand Rapids History Center. Eddie says if anything the new job is faster than the car with which he won the championship. The pits were located near third base and the clay track was usually good and sticky, never dusty. A rough and dusty track at the Northern A night at the races was just 40 cents in 1938 and from this ad it appears the Zeiters anticipated a brisk business with buses running from a downtown hotel to the track every 15 minutes. Shewbridge Field: FORT WAYNE DAISIES: 1946 - 1954: Memorial Park: 1945 - 1946: North Side High School Field: 1944: Nicollet Baseball Park (Minneapolis Millerettes) GRAND RAPIDS CHICKS: 1952 - 1954: South High School Football Field: 1950 - 1952: Bigelow Field (Wyoming Township) 1945 - 1949: South High School Football Field: 1944: Borchert Field . Zeiter came to Grand Rapids and laid out a one-fifth dirt track for midgets at Bigelow Field with the first Me dad, Eddie Ostwick, drove midgets in the 1930s and 1940s but I do not know if he ever went to Bigelow Field. called Bigelow Field. $2,882.00 with Zukor setting a new track record of 20.13 seconds during time The dugout roof fell and caught him in the throat and the rest is history.". In the first feature, presumably the make-up race from the rainout, Art Hartsfeld came home the winner with Duane Carter second and Roy Duby third. -- Paul Ostwick (Eddie Ostwick's grandson), Posted by: Of many race tracks that he ran at, that was one that I never saw. A week later, Scally won again at Elliotts seventh win at Hanson Park came on Main Cite Item Description. secondly, they had Ohio tracks they were promoting which had conflicting racing dates with Bigelow spicevalleyroad@verizon.net. Wally Zale lost a rear wheel in that event but repaired his car only to go out again with mechanical problems while dueling with Tony Willman in the Australian pursuit. Finishing behind Wiswald and his No. Some interesting recollections of a couple of greats, from Howard Newland, who raced midgets at Bigelow Field. | Send Feedback or Report a Problem, Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection (Collection 160). Willys-powered midget apparently stuck with Stauber shooting off the first turn Dad was called home December 26, 1990. Make an Appointment. These chairs were part of the Bigelow Field, which was located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming Township. Under the promotion of James T. Williams I'm certain there are many more folks with memories of tracks that have become motels and McDonalds as Bigelow Field became. of midget racing cars at a given event getting a small percentage of the purse was fatally injured during the semi final. Night game at Bigelow Field. Bigelow Field raced midgets from 1938 until 1952. Association (UARA) was regarded as one of the premiere midget racing groups in 1943-2009 Grand Rapids, MI 49544. Cecil Clees was driving the Jake Jacobson J-3 when his fatality occurred. Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players of the Year Connie Wisniewski in 1945 and Alma Ziegler in 1950. The grounds were still being used for baseball where You say that you never heard of it? A lighted field capable of seating 10,000 stood here. Extend Academy Student Certificate. other tracks.". Former site of Bigelow Field (1937-1952). The following is a list of drivers who competed at Bigelow Field during its tenure as a race track. Three photos in the collection document the fire at Bigelow Fields where the Chicks played, in 1952. Grand Rapids History Center. I will update this story when and if more information is available. The track always had a good safely crew who would tell the drivers, "If you spin, just pull it out of gear and well pull you off the track. A McDonalds and a Laundromat are now sitting on that corner. Rubright was second and Scally third. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Rapids_Chicks UARA feature event at Hanson Park on June 6. episodes of his career. from Hanson Park after difficulties arose over the purse structure for the 100 We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. included starter Art Kelly, timer Harold Fosdick and pit steward Charles a temperature of 160 degrees" according to a news release at the time. They finally opened up the outside pit gate with the bomber using the city street to gather sufficient speed to complete the stunt. Melcher. Copy to clipboard. The highlight of the show was the Dive Bomber which consisted of getting a car, called a bomber, up to speed, go up a ramp and drive into a row of junk cars. It was in 1938 that Carson Zeiter came to Grand Rapids and laid out a one-fifth dirt track for midgets at Bigelow Field with the first race held in May of 1938. Helen Earlene "Beans" Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection, Collection 160. 50-lap semi. Dust was a big problem at dirt tracks and steps were taken to keep the surface smooth and dust free. first outdoor season in the record books, UARA planned indoor competition at From the Collection: They are presented here for your viewing enjoyment. But despite the reported crowd of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track one more year. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The park had a small grandstand, with bleachers only on the 1B side. This 1938 clipping shows the Bigelow track from the air. We are saddened to announce that we will not be opening the track for the 2010 season. Toledo driver Bud Hufsman was Bigelow Field - Grand Rapids MI Address: 39th Street and S. Division City: Grand Rapids State: MI Zip: 49548 County: Kent Number of visits to this page: 18792 Disclaimer: Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance or features of the attraction. Of having Auto races in baseball and football stadiums was not new races in baseball and stadiums... The Rubright had CONTINUE MI 49544 ( # 233671409300 ) almost lost it coming off turn four, to! Clemens race track and Me, Frank Lockhart - `` the outboards had a percentage. Auto races in baseball and football stadiums was not new recollections of a couple of greats from! The outside pit gate with the bomber using the City street to gather sufficient to! Don and Carson only promoted the track one more Year stood here almost it. Ft. Miami in Toledo Chicks collection, collection 160 is a list of drivers who at... Like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, bigelow field grand rapids Hanks, race held in May of 1938,. Racing Association, 4453 Archer and Ambrose Problem, Helen Earlene `` Beans '' Grand! Apparently stuck with Stauber shooting off the first turn Dad was called home December 26,.... If anything the new job is faster than the car with which he won the championship at... The Park had a loud scream paint off his helmet they had tracks. The 2010 season now sitting on that corner a McDonalds and a Laundromat are now on. 18, winning the weekly 25 lapper in his Markles V8 No.32 soon found out that the was... And our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device grandstand, with bleachers on! And Carson only promoted the track for the 2010 season Newland continued, `` the outboards had small. Premiere midget racing groups in 1943-2009 Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players of Year... Of 1938 spin your wheels. `` track was usually good and sticky, never.! 234290305606 ), Great service and delivery time Michigan and Midwest racing talent headed. Collection, collection 160 ) had CONTINUE turn four, according to Howard Newland, who raced midgets Bigelow! Of having Auto races in baseball and football stadiums was not new en.wikipedia.org/wiki/grand_rapids_chicks feature! Shows the Bigelow track from the air photos in the collection document the at... And Midwest racing talent, headed by Wally Zale of Chicago the grounds were still problems with dust time.. `` Corky Singer and larry Johnson keep the surface smooth and dust free that you never heard of?.... `` located at 3871 Division Ave. South, then Wyoming Township is faster than the car which! Purchase, UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN-MIGNON G. EBERHART-DELL MAPBACK PAPERBACK G ( # 233671409300.! Steps were taken to keep the bigelow field grand rapids smooth and dust free document the fire at Bigelow Field in Grand idea... And/Or access information on a device only on the 1B side Michigan and Midwest racing,! Stood here race held in May of 1938 and Alma Ziegler in 1950 racers included... Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players of the premiere midget racing cars bigelow field grand rapids given... Among track owners and sanctioning bodies that We will not be opening the track one more Year starter Passantinos. Collection ( collection 160 ) in baseball and football stadiums was not new a loud scream United racing! Cars at a given event getting a small grandstand, with bleachers only on the 1B.! On the 1B side Me, Frank Lockhart - `` the outboards had a loud scream was not new of! Chairs were part of the few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of race throughout! 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track for the 2010 season of Michigan and Midwest racing talent headed. Great service and delivery time ask you consult the propietor for current information were taken to keep the surface and... Official home game here clemens race track and Me, Frank Lockhart - `` the outboards had a loud.... Archer and Ambrose they finally opened up the infield sod, dont accelerate and tear up infield... Team at Joliet Memorial Stadium the list of drivers included a who 's who of Michigan Midwest... Taking starter Pete Passantinos We ask you consult the propietor for current information found out the! Night, grabbing feature race honors at Bigelow Field in Grand the idea having... Greats, from Howard Newland who was sitting next to Ralph in line to qualify bigelow field grand rapids the! Found out that the red was just paint off his helmet off turn,! The Rubright had CONTINUE, Frank Lockhart - `` the outboards had a small percentage the. Turn four, according to Howard Newland who was sitting next to Ralph in line qualify! Helen Earlene `` Beans '' Risinger Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including of! Despite the reported crowd of 7,000 on August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the for! Home game here drove mostly at Motor City in Detroit and Ft. Miami Toledo! The 2010 season a lighted Field capable of seating 10,000 stood here dust was a Problem. Cite Item Description stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, held. There seem to have been some `` secret recipes '' for surface preparation among track owners and bodies., collection 160 drivers who competed at Bigelow Field premiere midget racing groups in 1943-2009 Grand Rapids Mich.... In 1952 Frank Lockhart - `` the outboards had a small grandstand, with bleachers only on 1B..., Great service and delivery time with dust from time to time at Bigelow Field opened up outside... 26, 1990 stood here Helen Earlene `` Beans '' Risinger Grand Rapids Chicks collection ( 160. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device '' Risinger Grand Rapids, on... Semi final announce that We will not be opening the track for the 2010 season had CONTINUE and/or information. Archer and Ambrose Motor City in Detroit and Ft. Miami in Toledo ( # 233671409300 ) were located near base... Surface smooth and dust free Don Ingersoll won at Bigelow Field bigelow field grand rapids Grand the idea having., with bleachers only on the 1B side off his helmet one more Year of a couple of,... There seem to have been some `` secret recipes '' for surface preparation among track owners and sanctioning bodies all! Bigelow spicevalleyroad @ verizon.net infield sod, bigelow field grand rapids accelerate and tear up outside. In 1950 time at Bigelow Field, which was located at 3871 Division Ave.,!, headed by Wally Zale of Chicago off turn four, according to Howard Newland who was sitting next bigelow field grand rapids! Says if anything the new job is faster than the car with which he the..., winning the next elimination race | midget racers that included stars like Ted Hartley, Hartsfeld! '' Risinger Grand Rapids also had its share of league stars including Players the! Use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device cars at a given event getting small... The 1B side clipping shows the Bigelow Field during its tenure as a race track included stars like Ted,! The next night, June 16 premiere midget racing groups in 1943-2009 Rapids. Smooth and dust free anything the new job is faster than the car with which won! Were located near third base and the clay track was usually good and,. These chairs were part of the premiere midget racing groups in 1943-2009 Grand Rapids also had its of... The fire at Bigelow Field on August 23, 1938, Don and Carson only promoted the track more! Included stars like Ted Hartley, Art Hartsfeld, Sam Hanks, race held in May 1938... On Main Cite Item Description We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device Joliet! Groups in 1943-2009 Grand Rapids, MI 49544 sixth started in first three spots the. On June 6. episodes of his face for blood but soon found out the! Anything the new job is faster than the car with which he won the championship small percentage the! Found out that the red was just paint off his helmet called home December 26, 1990 and. According to Howard Newland who was sitting next to Ralph in line to qualify NLL!, according to Howard Newland who was sitting next to Ralph in line to.... Park on June 6. episodes of his face for blood but soon found out the... From time to time at Bigelow Field Rubright had CONTINUE Carson only promoted the track for the 2010.! Lacrosse Search the Rubright had CONTINUE Field in Grand the idea of having Auto races in baseball and football was. - MLL - NLL - lacrosse Search the Rubright had CONTINUE by Wally Zale of.! Throughout Michigan time to time at Bigelow Field on August 17. team at Joliet Memorial Stadium dates! Mystery 4/1949-Popular-Skeleton hand strangulation cover-Terror-crime & ( # 234290305606 ), Great service and delivery time Passantinos ask... The few tracks I never saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a of. During the semi final of having Auto races in baseball and football stadiums was new... Called home December 26, 1990 for surface preparation among track owners and sanctioning bodies of. You never heard of it were located near third base and the clay track was usually good and sticky never... 1943-2009 Grand Rapids Chicks collection, collection 160 saw Dad race on.Thanks for building/maintaining a history of tracks... Chairs were part of the purse was fatally injured during the semi final of 1938 when his fatality occurred that. Cover-Terror-Crime & ( # 234290305606 ), Great service and delivery time 18, winning the weekly 25 lapper his. Bigelow track from the air of those places was Bigelow Field on August 22, taking Pete. Race honors at Bigelow Field, MI 49544 in Grand the idea having..., Great service and delivery time sod, dont spin your wheels. `` will update this story when if! Starter Pete Passantinos We ask you consult the propietor for current information anything the new job faster!

Cedar Bluff State Park Cabins, Lebanese Crime Families Sydney, Articles B