If Engel Stadium is just an old building, Chickamauga Battlefield is just vacant land. Engel Stadium has a rich history. A very rich history. You may not know much about it. That’s our fault. We’ve let this shining piece of our story get away. But there’s still time to fix it. Chattanooga doesn’t throw its past away. Especially not the good stuff.
During the 10 years I led the Engel Foundation, we welcomed hundreds to the ballpark for all kinds of reasons. They always wore a smile. Yes, there was baseball. Kids and baseball. The Southern League Homerun Derby. Tennessee Vintage Base Ball—my personal favorite—and more.
But baseball wasn’t the only thing. Concert promoters came knocking along with nonprofits looking for unique event venues. Nearby neighborhood associations were eager for a new park. Partnerships began to emerge with places like Cooperstown and the Negro Leagues Museum. And who could forget “42” when Hollywood came calling? Volunteers rolled up their sleeves. Foundations got involved. People and corporations wrote checks. “How can I help?” was a daily request. The love for that ballpark was alive and well then, and it still is today. People just need a place to put it. And “people” is not limited to Chattanoogans. Ten years later and I still get phone calls from fans around the country who want to visit Engel.
Yes, Engel looks a bit tattered and worn right now. But it’s nothing a new roof and some elbow grease can’t fix. UTC is not going to save it. It’s not their mission, especially when they don’t have a ball team. No, this time it’s up to us, The Community to take the lead and the rest will follow. Fortunately, we have a good track record of success. Chattanooga just raised $74 million to refurbish and expand the Tivoli. No disrespect to the grand old lady, but nobody is going to come to town just to see her.
Where to begin? Not from scratch. The Foundation started out wondering how to make an old ballpark financially sustainable. A few years and several studies later, we were overwhelmed with possibilities. We proved its worth as a sports, entertainment and tourism venue. Yes, tourism. People literally came by the busload to see the old ballpark and hear her story. To learn about the greats who once played there. And about Joe Engel, the legendary Barnum of Baseball. He always stole the show.
Still not convinced? Try this. Dyersville, Iowa, a small town in the middle of nowhere, welcomes thousands of visitors a year… to a cornfield. A movie set. Can’t we do the same? Or better? After all, we’ve got the real Field of Dreams, baseball’s hallowed ground. We’ve got one of the few remaining historic ballparks left in the nation. That ought to be worth something. I believe we can do this. We can save Engel Stadium. We can bring it back to life but in a new way. And when we do, Engel will once again find a special place in the world of baseball that will bring joy to us all.
Janna Jahn
Engel Foundation Co-founder and former Chair
Still in love with Engel Stadium