Old Comiskey Park
The near-south side stadium that hosted three World Series, launched a heavyweight champion, and stood for eighty years before giving way to modern fields just to the south.
Comiskey Park stood in the Armour Square neighborhood on Chicago’s near-south side, serving as the home of the Chicago White Sox from 1910 through 1990. Built by owner Charles Comiskey and designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, this concrete-and-steel stadium replaced the wooden South Side Park after being constructed on a former city dump purchased in 1909. It hosted over 6,000 Major League Baseball games, three World Series (1917, 1919, 1959), and three All-Star Games. Beyond baseball, it witnessed history such as Joe Louis’s victory over James J. Braddock and served as home to NFL’s Chicago Cardinals, Negro Leagues’ Chicago American Giants, and NASL soccer teams until its demolition in 1991.
- Location
- Chicago, Illinois (Armour Square neighborhood, near-south side)
- Years of Service
- 1910–1990
- Primary Tenant
- Chicago White Sox (MLB)
- Demolition Status
- Torn down in 1991
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Comiskey Park was designed with pitcher-friendly proportions: 362 feet to the foul poles and 420 feet to center field. Influenced by Sox pitcher Ed Walsh, this layout favored defense and quick hits over home runs; in fact, no player ever hit 100 home runs there—Carlton Fisk holds the record with 94. Originally seating nearly 32,000 fans, it briefly earned the nickname “The Baseball Palace of the World.” Light towers were added in 1939, and major expansion between 1926–1927 replaced single-deck pavilions with double-decked stands surrounding most of the field. The park was modern for its time as only the third concrete-and-steel stadium built since 1909.
In Their Own Story
On April 22, 1923, a bomb exploded at Comiskey Park, suspected to be from labor unions protesting management’s use of open-shop painters during a period of intense industrial unrest. The first game at the new park occurred on July 1, 1910—a 2–0 loss to the St. Louis Browns. Just over a year later, Ed Walsh hurled the venue’s first no-hitter, a 5–0 win over Boston on August 27, 1911. The Sox played their first home night game there on August 14, 1939, defeating St. Louis 5–2. In 1973, a record crowd of 55,555 attended a doubleheader against the Minnesota Twins on May 20 for “Bat Day,” while just two years earlier, only 511 fans showed up for a game against Boston on May 6, 1971.
Reader's Guide
Comiskey Park hosted four World Series: in 1917, the White Sox defeated the New York Giants; in 1918, the Cubs borrowed the park to host the Boston Red Sox (who won); in 1919, the infamous “Black Sox” lost to Cincinnati; and in 1959, they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers—the first West Coast team to win a title. The stadium also hosted three All-Star Games: 1933, where Babe Ruth hit a home run leading American League dominance; 1950, remembered for Ted Williams breaking his elbow on the outfield wall; and 1983, where Fred Lynn hit the first grand slam in an All-Star Game. From 1941 to 1950, it was home to the Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League.
Did You Know?
- No player ever hit 100 home runs at Comiskey Park; Carlton Fisk holds the record with 94.
- The first game at Comiskey Park was a 2–0 win over the St. Louis Browns on July 1, 1910.
- Joe Louis’s famous knockout of James J. Braddock took place here, launching his 11-year heavyweight title reign.
- The Chicago Cardinals won their only NFL Championship at Comiskey Park in 1947, though they did not relocate to St. Louis until 1960.
Architectural Origins and Design Philosophy
Built on a city dump Charles Comiskey bought in 1909, Comiskey Park replaced the wooden South Side Park. Designed by Zachary Taylor Davis, it opened July 1, 1910, as the third concrete-and-steel stadium built since 1909, seating nearly 32,000 fans and earning the nickname “The Baseball Palace of the World.” Its dimensions—362 feet to the foul poles and 420 feet to center field—were shaped by pitcher Ed Walsh to favor defense. No player ever hit 100 home runs there; Carlton Fisk set the record with 94. Light towers were installed in 1939, enabling night games like the Sox’s first home night game on August 14, 1939, a 5–2 win over St. Louis. Between 1926 and 1927, single-deck pavilions were replaced with double-decked stands surrounding most of the field.
Historical Turmoil and Notable Incidents
On April 22, 1923, a bomb exploded at Comiskey Park, suspected to be from labor unions protesting management’s hiring of open-shop painters amid industrial unrest. The first game on July 1, 1910, ended in a 2–0 loss to the St. Louis Browns. Ed Walsh threw the park’s first no-hitter on August 27, 1911, beating Boston 5–0. Beyond baseball, the stadium hosted Joe Louis’s famous knockout of James J. Braddock, launching his 11-year reign as heavyweight champion. The Chicago Cardinals won their 1947 NFL Championship here over the Philadelphia Eagles before leaving for St. Louis in March 1960 after their final season at Comiskey in 1958.
Legendary Sporting Events and Championships
Comiskey Park hosted four World Series: in 1917, the White Sox beat the New York Giants; in 1918, the Cubs borrowed the park to host the Boston Red Sox (who won); in 1919, the “Black Sox” lost to Cincinnati; and in 1959, they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers—the first West Coast team to win a title. Three All-Star Games were held here: 1933, where Babe Ruth hit a home run leading American League dominance; 1950, remembered for Ted Williams breaking his elbow on the outfield wall; and 1983, featuring Fred Lynn’s historic grand slam. The Negro leagues’ East-West All-Star Game was hosted here more frequently than any other venue from 1933 to 1960.
Diverse Tenants and Final Demolition
Beyond the White Sox, Comiskey Park housed the Chicago Cardinals (NFL), who won their 1947 title here before moving to St. Louis in March 1960. The Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League played there from 1941 to 1950. It also hosted NASL teams—the Chicago Mustangs and Chicago Sting—and the final original Soccer Bowl. Demolished in 1991, the park was replaced by a new stadium just to the south, initially named Comiskey Park, later renamed U.S. Cellular Field and then Rate Field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Old Comiskey Park?
Old Comiskey Park, often called 'The Old Ballpark,' was the historic home of the Chicago White Sox from 1908 until 1991. Located on Chicago's Near West Side, it featured a unique blend of neo-classical architecture and wooden grandstands that defined early baseball aesthetics.
What were the most famous features of the stadium?
The venue was renowned for its ivy-covered outfield walls and distinctive wooden bleachers that created an intimate atmosphere. These elements gave the ballpark a timeless, cathedral-like feel that separated it from modern concrete stadiums.
Why is Old Comiskey Park important to baseball history?
It served as the backdrop for some of the sport's most celebrated moments and infamous scandals, including the Black Sox Scandal of 1919. The stadium acted as a cultural anchor for generations of fans, witnessing the rise of legends while maintaining a unique Chicago identity.
When did the White Sox stop playing at Old Comiskey Park?
The team played their final game there in 1990 before moving to a new facility built on the same site in 1991. Following the move, the historic structure was demolished between late 1990 and 1991 to make way for the modern stadium.
Where exactly was Old Comiskey Park located?
The ballpark stood on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois, in a neighborhood that remains closely tied to the team's heritage. Its specific location allowed it to become an integral part of the city's urban fabric and local culture for over eight decades.
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