Francis Field (St. Louis)
History
Francis Field is a historic stadium located in the city of St. Louis, Missouri. The stadium was built in 1904 for the 1904 Summer Olympics, making it the first stadium in the United States to host the Olympic Games. The stadium was named after David R. Francis, the former Governor of Missouri and President of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, who played a significant role in bringing the Olympics to St. Louis.
The stadium was designed by famed architect James P. Jamieson and constructed by the W.P. Brown Company. The design of the stadium was heavily influenced by the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. The stadium was built using Missouri granite, giving it a distinctive and enduring look.
Francis Field has a seating capacity of 19,000, making it one of the largest stadiums in the United States at the time of its construction. The stadium consists of a large oval track surrounding a grassy field, with a grandstand on one side and bleachers on the other three sides. The grandstand, which is covered by a roof, contains the majority of the seating, while the bleachers are uncovered.
1904 Summer Olympics
The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, were held from July 1 to November 23, 1904. These were the first Olympic Games held outside of Europe, and the first to be spread over several months rather than being concentrated into a few weeks.
The majority of the events at the 1904 Olympics were held at Francis Field, including track and field, gymnastics, and soccer. The stadium also hosted the start and finish of the marathon, which was one of the most memorable events of the 1904 Olympics due to the extreme heat and the unusual incidents that occurred during the race.
Later Use
After the 1904 Olympics, Francis Field continued to be used for a variety of sporting events. The stadium was the home field for the Washington University in St. Louis football team from 1904 until 1983, when the team moved to the newly constructed Francis Field Stadium. The stadium has also been used for track and field events, soccer matches, and other athletic competitions.
In addition to sporting events, Francis Field has been used for a variety of other purposes over the years. The stadium has hosted concerts, political rallies, and other large gatherings. It was also used as a training facility for the U.S. Army during World War I.
Current Status and Preservation
Today, Francis Field is still in use and is maintained by Washington University in St. Louis. The stadium is used for track and field events and other athletic competitions, as well as for university events and ceremonies.
In 1984, Francis Field was added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its significance as the first Olympic stadium in the United States and its role in the history of American sports. The stadium is one of the oldest surviving Olympic stadiums in the world, and it remains a symbol of the 1904 St. Louis Olympics and the early history of the Olympic Games in the United States.