Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Ball Park ...continued

From Highway 123 and Easley Bridge Road, look for West Avenue, directly across from Community Church, formerly known as Judson Baptist Church (1007 Easley Br. Rd.). You will have to look carefully to see the sign, it's very small and almost hidden in the shade under tree limbs. Take West Avenue and follow it directly to the ballpark.

Photo at right: West Avenue is lined with great pecan trees. You'll know you're on the right street with those trees overhead. Stay on this street to get to the Park.

Shoeless Joe Jackson Month

The City of Greenville, South Carolina, opened a small exhibit free to the public during the month of July, 1999 to highlight the life and career of Joseph Jefferson Wofford Jackson, who came from the Brandon Community, a textile mill village in West Greenville, South Carolina.

That year, Greenville Mayor Knox White proclaimed the month of July as Shoeless Joe Jackson Month. July was chosen as Shoeless Joe Jackson Month because Joe was born on July 16, 1888, and Joe and Kate were married on July 19, 1908.

In the lobby of Greenville City Hall, Joe's exhibit included actual fan letters, a looping twelve-minute video, a replica of his bat, "Black Betsy," a glove, books about Joe, an actual seat from the old Chicago White Sox stadium, Joe's jersey, photos, and free photocopies of newspaper accounts and letters by Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig, Hall of Famer Ted Williams, Ernest Hollings, Strom Thurmond, and other documents and memorabilia. A petition was available for visitors to sign to reinstate Jackson to the game of Major League Baseball and allow him into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Questions about the exhibit and the future of Shoeless Joe Month should be sent to Arlene Marcley, (864) 467-4590, or e-mail marclea@greatergreenville.com

Information Wanted

Tom Perry, author of Textile League Baseball, and Mac Kirkpatrick, who helped with research on that book, began collaborating once again on a book about Joe Jackson's wife, Katherine Wynn Jackson. Anyone having knowledge about her, please contact Tom or Mac. Tom Perry, 2120 Woodland Way, Newberry, SC 29108 -- Mac Kirkpatrick, 189 Highland Drive, Greenwood, SC 29649. Source: Greenville's Goin' Shoeless "On The Road To Cooperstown" Vol.1 No.1 - by Arlene Marcley, City of Greenville. Contact Ms. Marcley at 864-467-4950, or e-mail her at the same address shown above.