Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City was a significant structure in the history of New Jersey and the racial integration of baseball. The stadium was named for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The building was also significant for its association with important events in the history of baseball. It was here that Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier by being the first black ball player to play in the minor leagues. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the association of the stadium with numerous civic events that collectively helped to create and maintain a sense of place, culture, and society for the people of New Jersey.
Jersey City’s City Council voted to demolish the stadium in 1982, and it was demolished in 1985. These pictures show the ruins of Roosevelt Field before it was destroyed.
MAIN ENTRANCE FROM WEST
FOUNTAIN AND MAIN ENTRANCE
GRANDSTAND, MAIN ENTRANCE, FROM WEST
BLEACHER ENTRANCE, SOUTH BLEACHER, FROM WEST
SOUTH FIELD ENTRANCE, FROM SOUTHWEST
SOUTH FIELD ENTRANCE, FROM NORTHEAST
NORTH FIELD ENTRANCE, FROM NORTHWEST
NORTH BLEACHER, FROM SOUTHEAST
VIEW OF GRANDSTAND FROM EAST
SOUTH BLEACHER DETAIL, FROM NORTHWEST
R&S DECORATION ON GRANDSTAND SEAT
DETAIL OF JERSEY CITY SEAL ON GRANDSTAND SEAT
PARK, LOOKING SOUTHWEST
OUTFIELD GATES, FROM EAST
ROADWAY AROUND STADIUM, LOOKING NORTHWEST
PRESS BOX, LOOKING NORTHWEST
PRESS BOX ON GRANDSTAND ROOF
VIEW OF GRANDSTAND FROM TOP TIER
GRANDSTAND ROOF, SOUTHEAST ELEVATION
THE SCOREBOARD
ROOSEVELT FIELD BASEBALL DIAMOND
NORTH DUGOUT, LOOKING WEST
CONCESSION STAND, UPPER TIER OF GRANDSTAND
GRANDSTAND RAMP, LOOKING WEST
ADMINISTRATIVE STAIRCASE, GRANDSTAND
SOUTH BLEACHER, INTERIOR LOOKING EAST
BLEACHER RAMP, SOUTH BLEACHER
Click here to see 9 photos of Roosevelt Stadium’s glory years.
