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Riegel Stadium

SC PICTURE PROJECT 3 Comments

SC Picture Project / Greenwood County / Riegel Stadium

Riegel Stadium in the textile town of Ware Shoals tells the story of American sports in the rural, segregated South. The stadium was built in 1931 as part of the local white high school and was originally used as a football field. Later a baseball field was added, and during the heyday of Textile League baseball in the 1930s, it was said to have an outfield so big that “virtually no one could hit the ball over the center field fence.”

Riegel Stadium

Blake Lewis of Greenwood, 2010 © Do Not Use Without Written Consent

The Textile League began as recreation for mill workers. The league became more competitive and elite when a player from Brandon Mill in Greenville by the name of Joe Jackson attracted the attention of Northern baseball scouts. Shoeless Joe’s success led to contracts for other Textile League players, and Ware Shoals native Johnny Wertz entered the pros in 1926.

Because professional baseball was segregated, several Negro League baseball teams formed. Riegel Stadium hosted many such teams over the years, along with players from the women’s textile leagues. Textile League baseball waned with the advent of World War II, and advertisements on center field fences became necessary for teams to stay afloat. The revenue from the advertising allowed the league to survive and it later produced professional player and Reigel Stadium alumnus Lou Brissie.

Today Riegel Stadium is associated with Ware Shoals High School. Built in 1926, it is one of South Carolina’s oldest schools still in use and features a multi-field complex used for baseball, football, and soccer. The storied history of Riegel Stadium made it an ideal place for the filming of Leatherheads.

Reflections on Riegel Stadium


Blake Lewis, a Greenwood-based photographer who took the photo above, shares this story: “The school that the baseball stadium is associated with was built in 1926, making it one of the oldest known schools in South Carolina. This stadium and the football stadium that is connected to its outfield were featured in the movie Leatherheads. The two fields are known as Riegel Stadium and were completed in 1931.”

Susan Stone tells us: “My parents met at a dance in the field house at Riegel Stadium in the 1940s. In the ’40s the town of Ware Shoals was always ‘hopping’ on Fridays and Saturdays.”

Add your own reflections here.

Plan Your Trip: Riegel Stadium

Where is Riegel Stadium located?
Address: 56 Greenwood Avenue, Ware Shoals, SC
GPS Coordinates: 34.393731,-82.239176
What else should I see?
Ware Shoals Inn 0.9 mile
Ware Shoals Dam 1.3 miles
Martin's Store 3.9 miles
Country Store 6 miles
Show me more like this!
  • See other South Carolina Schools
  • See other South Carolina Sports
  • Ware Shoals Historic Sites
    Riegel Stadium Map

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Douglas Richey says

      July 15, 2018 at 6:52 PM

      I spent many days practicing and playing football in Riegel stadium in the mid 80s. In 1983, we won the 1A state championships and the Upstate 1A championship there. Tons of great memories in Riegel stadium and the old high school.

      Reply
    2. Frank S. Mitchell says

      July 14, 2018 at 9:38 AM

      The Ware Shoals National Guard headed by Capt. “Slick” Drake did drill practice on this field on Wednesday evenings. This infantry unit was one of the highest rated National Guard units in South Carolina. We had great officers and great NCO’s, all WWII vets.

      Reply
    3. Barbara Coachman Easler says

      August 20, 2015 at 1:16 AM

      Me and my friends ate lunch in that stadium every day for 4 years and watched many games. Lots of memories!

      Reply

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    ABOUT US

    We are a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to preserve the history of South Carolina’s historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 South Carolina landmarks – and counting. Learn more about our work.

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