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Wrigley
Field
Located on the north side
of Chicago, most people know Wrigley Field as the home of the
Cubs. However most people do not know that Wrigley Field has been
the site of more pro football games than any other stadium. The
history of the stadium goes back to 1914,
when Charles Weeghman
decided to build a ballpark for his baseball team, the Chicago Whales.
Located along Clark and Addison Streets, construction began on the
14,000 seat ballpark on March 14,1914. Construction was completed
just over a month later in April 1915 at a cost of $250,000.
Originally known as Weeghman Field, the Whales played at the
ballpark for just two years before going bankrupt. The
Chicago Cubs played at West
Side Grounds until Charles Weeghman bought the club and moved them
to his ballpark in 1916. The first
Cubs game at Weeghman Field was
in April 1916. In 1920, Weeghman Field was renamed Cubs Park,
and Weeghman sold the club to William Wrigley Jr.
In 1919, the Chicago Bears were founded by
the AE Staley Company in Decatur, IL. The team was originally
known as the Staleys and played their first two seasons in Decatur
at Staley Field. After the 1920 season, the Staley's moved to
Chicago and Cubs Park. The team played their first game at the
ballpark on October 16, 1921 when they played the Rochester
Jeffersons. The following season the team was renamed the Chicago
Bears. In 1922 and 1923
the ballpark was expanded as the grandstand was moved and
bleachers were added increasing the capacity to 20,000. Cubs Park
was renamed Wrigley Field in 1926 when the grandstand was double
decked and the playing field was lowered. This expansion increased
the capacity to over 38,000. Bleachers and the hand operated
scoreboard were added in 1937.
For almost five decades the
Bears called Wrigley Field their home. In order for football to be
played at Wrigley Field, the gridiron was laid out over the
infield and into left field. Bleachers were placed in right field.
By 1970, Wrigley Field became to small for the Chicago Bears as
the NFL and the team became very popular. The Bears played their
last game at Wrigley Field on December 13, 1970 with a win over
the Green Bay Packers. The following year the team moved into
Soldier Field on the south side of Chicago. The Cubs continue to
play at Wrigley Field as it has changed very little since the
Bears left. Lights were installed in 1988 and suites were added
between the lower and upper decks in 1989. Today, Wrigley Field
remains one of the most popular ballparks in baseball.
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Facts and Figures |
Wrigley Field Pictures |
-Name: Wrigley Field
-Location: Chicago, IL
-Tenant: Chicago Bears
-Capacity: 38,000
-Surface: Grass
-Construction Began: March 1914
-Opened: October 16, 1921
(NFL)
-Closed: December 13, 1970 (NFL)
-Cost: $250,000
-Architect:
Zachary Taylor Davis |
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