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Fairview Park Historical Marker

  • 871 Iron Bridge Road
  • Columbia, TN 38401
  • Overview

    In May 1938, the City of Columbia purchased 7.81 acres of land from Mrs. Ida L. Padgett in the amount of $585.75 for the first park dedicated to the African American Community. Mr. Henry ‘Chick’ Shelton, a member of the City Park Commission, then requested the Columbia Board of Mayor and Alderman to construct a ball park for the community's Negro citizens. The park was built with a grandstand that could seat 800 people, dugouts, dressing rooms, and a ticket office. The first event held at the park was a baseball game played on May 29, 1938.