Columbia Baker Field
1923 - present
The Baker Field was established in 1923 after a man by the name of George H. Baker struck a deal of $700,000 to purchase the land located in the northernmost part of the borough of Manhattan, by Columbia University. This part of Manhattan had not been extremely populated during this time; the field would not only possibly increase the neighborhood population, but it would also attract people interested in sports, as the popularity of spectator sports was growing. Before Columbia played football in Manhattan, they were playing in The Bronx in what was known as the Columbia Oval; they then moved into another part of the Bronx and played in South Field. In the year of 1984, Columbia University sold off five acres of the property to the New York Presbyterian Hospital, in which the hospital repaid them generously for their offer by providing funding for renovations, lighting, etc. Now known as the Baker Field Athletic Complex, the field is still located in the Inwood neighborhood of Manhattan, and it is home to fourteen intercollegiate teams. The complex’s football field can be turned into a baseball, softball, and soccer field. There's also a boathouse, field house, and tennis courts on the property.
Details
- Category
- University
- Audience
- Adults
- Founder(s)
- George H. Baker
- Corporate Body
- Columbia University
- Tags
- Coeducational, Prestigious, Private, Recreation, Sports
Connections
Location
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533 W 218th St, New York, NY 10034, USA? - ?
References
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Gaster, Sanford. “Public Places of Childhood, 1915-30.” The Oral History Review 22, no. 2 (1995): 1–31. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3675422.
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Columbia University Athletics. “Baker Athletics Complex.” GoColumbiaLions.com https://gocolumbialions.com/facilities/baker-athletics-complex/24
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“Columbia May Play Football in Bronx.” The New York Times, July 2, 1915. https://nyti.ms/4394Kdm