Pitches on the Prairie Ep 4 - Hamilton Park

Description

Hamilton Park

LOCATION: Chicago’s Englewood Community, 513 W 72nd St

Narration video: Recorded September 11, 2026 in Englewood

Shirt:  Chicago Bricklayers replica jersey by Olive&York 

Chicago’s extensive public parks system is the bedrock of community in the city, and soccer players have used this resource since the 19th century.

Hamilton Park, in Chicago’s Englewood Community at Parnell Ave and 72nd St, is a great example of that public space and the inclusiveness of the game of soccer. 

Girls and women’s soccer teams played here in the early 1920’s as the game was growing rapidly among young people. And the local high school, Englewood HS, used the park as their home ground in the very competitive Chicago Public High School soccer league of the early 20th century.

Men’s teams also used this public space for competitive matches, and in 1913, Stonecutters (sometimes called South Side Stonecutters), affiliated with the Stonecutters Union in the city, called this ground home.

The importance of well maintained public parks in history, and today, allow people to come together, no matter their economic status. Thanks to strong local communities, Chicago has an abundance of these spaces.   

Soccer History Lives Here Logo element: Raised Fist

Citations:

Hamilton Park Postcard, Public Use

Hamilton Park Photos and Programs, Public Use

Southside Parks Commission Documents, Public Use

Aerial photo from Chicago Public Library, Aerial Photographic Service

"Englewood HS clipping v Coal City" Clipping,  21 Sep 1916 Morris Herald-News

Englewood HS team photo, 1910-11 Spalding's Official "Soccer" Football Guide

"Hamilton Park Soccers Win" Clipping, 7 Nov 1909 Chicago Tribune

"Hamilton Park, Palmer Park" Clipping, 18 May 1910 Inter-Ocean

"Englewood High Has Strong Soccer Team" Clipping, 30 Oct 1918 Freeport Journal-Standard

"Girls interested in soccer" Clipping, 20 Oct 1922 Southtown Economist 

"Women's Gymnasium" Clipping, 2 Dec 1921 Suburbanite Economist

Chicago Stonecutters Information: The Early Years of Chicago Soccer, 1887-1939 by Gabe Logan

"Chicago Stonecutters Bricklayers" Clipping, 13 Oct 1913 Inter-Ocean

"Soccer and baseball grounds" Clipping, 15 Sep 1916 Suburbanite Economist

"St. George’s League" Clipping, 24 Oct 1924 Suburbanite Economist

Historic Details 1

Historic Details 2

Credits

Pitches on the Prairie Ep 4 - Hamilton Park