Map of the Month - August 2014

Thomas, Web Applications

Map showing how to reach Ebbets Field, Brooklyn. [1919]. Brooklyn Historical Society Map Collection. Map showing how to reach Ebbets Field, Brooklyn. [1919]. Brooklyn Historical Society Map Collection.
The August Map of the Month conjures a bit of summertime nostalgia: “Map Showing How to Reach Ebbets Field, Brooklyn.”   The flip side of the map, shown below, has a full team photo and roster. A quick consultation with The Complete Dodgers Record Book (Facts on File, 1984) confirms this team as the 1919 Brooklyn Robins. They finished in fifth place that year, with a 69-71 record. The next year however, the Robins made the World Series with a 93-61 season, but the Cleveland Indians won the series, taking 5 out of 7 games.

Map showing how to reach Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, [1919], verso. Brooklyn Historical Society Map Collection Map Showing how to reach Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, [1919], verso. Brooklyn Historical Society Map Collection
So how did one get to Ebbets Field in 1919? According to this map, by elevated train to Consumer’s Park stop. Notice on this map one link between Brooklyn and Manhattan was by elevated train via the Brooklyn Bridge.

This map does not show the many trolleys that crisscrossed Brooklyn, by which most Brooklynites would have traveled to Ebbets Field. In fact, the ball club was known early on as the Trolley Dodgers, but were commonly called the Robins from roughly 1914-1931 in homage to long-time manager Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson.

Did you know the Dodgers were also known as the Bridegrooms in the 1890s? Find out why on the timeline on the Dodger’s MLB web site. This quick, nostalgic read (well, up until, say, 1957 or so?) includes photographs and is organized by decade, so you can pick and choose your history, as I did.

And for you Dodger fans, here's the 1919 roster as shown:

Map showing how to reach Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, [1919], verso detail. Brooklyn Historical Society Map Collection. Map showing how to reach Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, [1919], verso detail. Brooklyn Historical Society Map Collection.
Interested in seeing more maps? You can view the BHS map collection anytime during the library’s open hours, Wed.-Sat., from 1-5 p.m. No appointment is necessary to view most maps.

This map was cataloged with funding provided by a Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) “Hidden Collections” grant.

 

This blog post reflects the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of Brooklyn Public Library.

 

Post a Comment

While BPL encourages an open forum, posts and comments are moderated by library staff. BPL reserves the right, within its sole discretion, not to post and to remove submissions or comments that are unlawful or violate this policy. While comments will not be edited by BPL personnel, a comment may be deleted if it violates our comment policy.

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
eNews Signup

Get the latest updates from BPL and be the first to know about new programs, author talks, exciting events and opportunities to support your local library.

Sign Up