This photo of Bradfield Center is dated 1962. An information packet dated 1963 states its baseball team with 15 members placed second in the Metro League. There were 27 participants on two other baseball teams. That year, there were 542 people enrolled in physical education at the center, which ranged from cheerleading to boxing to swimming classes at its pool. The center also offered a wide range of social clubs.
The Lima News file
John Henderson was named to Lima Senior’s Athletic Hall of Fame posthumously for football, basketball and baseball. This photo accompanied a short item in The Lima News dated Feb. 21, 1956, that announced the 19-year-old three-sport Central High School star had signed a professional baseball contract to play in the Milwaukee Braves’ system. He had played locally for several summers prior to that in the City Baseball League.
The Lima News file
The program of the dedication of Bradfield Community Center, dated June 17, 1951. It was named for Dr. J.C. Bradfield. “Bradfield Center was dedicated Sunday, July 3, 1938, honoring this man who gave his life in unselfish and untiring service to this community.” The first Bradfield Center was at 321 S. West St., and a recreation program using other facilities dates to the early 1930s.
The Lima News file
The cattle barns at the Allen County Fairgrounds were new in the late 1950s, when this photo was taken.
The Lima News file
An unidentified girl poses with her Champion Market Lamb in this undated photo.
The Lima News file
Beverly Croft poses with her pony in this 1962 photo.
The Lima News file
Harold Ebbeskotte poses with his Grand Champion Market Hog in this undated photo.
The Lima News file
The champion barrow and his owner pose for a photo in this undated photo. The people are unidentified.
The Lima News file
LEARN MORE
See past Reminisce stories at limaohio.com/tag/reminisce
Periodically, we dip into our archives to look back on various topics. If you have photos to share with our readers, please email them to info@limanews.com.
Summer ball
Jim O’Connor recently wrote us to reminisce about his “distinct honor (as a white youth) of playing post-high school baseball on Bradfield Center’s summer team. It was loaded with wonderful Black players (ages 24-35), many of whom played in the minor professional leagues across the USA, some in the deep South. Imagine how difficult that would have been in the 1950s.”
He writes “they were in a league which featured Ohio Steel (also a perennial top team in talent), and other community ball teams.”
He remembers Johnny Henderson, Stub Turner and Bill Guice in particular.
He was a 1957 graduate of Lima Senior High School and writes he is 80 years old now.
Fair time
A preview story as the Allen County Fair was making preparations to open in the late 1950s describes the scene this way:
“The 80-acre fairgrounds a mile east of Lima was a veritable maze of activity today as tents were being erected, exhibits were being moved into the various buildings and zero-hour preparations were being rushed on all parts of the fair site.
“With day and night programs arranged each day the exposition will continue through Thursday. Harness racing is scheduled tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons while special programs have been arranged at the baseball park each night and on Sunday afternoon.
“First judging will take place at noon tomorrow when entries in the Flower Show will be placed. At 5 p.m. tomorrow the Grange booths will be judged. Major judging of livestock and other exhibits will not begin until Monday morning and continue through Wednesday afternoon.”
Events and entertainment listed include rides by Gooding Amusement Co., high school bands, a rodeo, church services, a balloon ascension, a horse show, horse and pony pulling contests, special days for candidates on the Republican and Democrat tickets, wrestling bouts, Junior Fair livestock auction and a tractor pull.
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