Historic Resource Survey Form : Howe Field/Howe Gates and Associated Wall and Fence
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Date
2014
Authors
Thompson, Christine
Phillips, Ann
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Howe Field was constructed in 1935. It is named in honor of Herbert Crombie Howe, a professor in the English department at the
University of Oregon from 1902-1940. Dr. Howe, a long-standing supporter of athletes’ rights, was a faculty representative to the
Pacific Coast Conference from 1915-1959 (now PAC-12 although the correlation between the two conferences is questioned) and a
member of the athletic board. In 1938, the wrought iron entrance gates, concrete wall and ticket booth, and wrought iron fence were
added to the perimeter of the field from McArthur Court south to 18th Avenue. The project was largely funded by the WPA. Additional
funding was provided by donations from the classes of 1918, 1919, 1930, and 1936 along with the Soldiers’ Memorial fund and the
Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO).
The University of Oregon baseball team played at Howe Field until 1981 when the program was cut due to budgetary restrictions. The
University of Oregon softball team began playing on the field in 1987 and continues to play there today. The first baseball club at the
University of Oregon was organized in 1877. A general lack of interest in the sport prevented a University sponsored program until the
autumn of 1905 when the sport of baseball was adopted as a regular college activity. Over the years, baseball games have been
played in numerous locations including the northeast corner of 13th Avenue and Kincaid Street, in the area directly south of Hayward
Field, and finally at Howe Field, then called “Anonymous Field” beginning in 1935. “Anonymous Field” was named Howe Field in the
spring of 1936.
Description
8 pages
Keywords
cultural resources survey, architecture, history