Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium

Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium Friends of Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson, New Jersey, page- The stadium was built largely in 1931-32, with seating and amenities added 1932-34.

Hinchliffe Stadium is a 10,000 seat horseshoe-shaped arena, poised dramatically within the Great Falls National Historical Park at the corner of Maple and Liberty streets in Paterson's Totowa section. It was slightly modified again in 1963-64 when ownership passed from the City to the Paterson Schools, and "upgraded" 20 years later under Mayor Frank Graves, adding Astroturf and fiberglass seating.

September 21, 1947 - On this date, the Paterson Panthers defeated the Long Island Indians 7-0 in the opening game of the...
09/21/2026

September 21, 1947 - On this date, the Paterson Panthers defeated the Long Island Indians 7-0 in the opening game of the 1947 season. Paterson's lone touchdown occurred on the seventh play of the game when Panthers half back Paul Romano scored from the 10-yard-line on a pass from quarterback Joe Michaels. On the day, Paterson earned 16 first downs.

Image: Paul Romano gains ground as Long Island's Clayton Carmody

Despite playing as opponents in the American League, Yogi Berra and Larry Doby became very good friends since they both ...
09/20/2026

Despite playing as opponents in the American League, Yogi Berra and Larry Doby became very good friends since they both lived in Montclair, New Jersey.

Today, Sunday, September 20th, our friends at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center will host their annual Yogi Tribute Day! The Museum is offering FREE admission from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

For more information, log onto: https://yogiberramuseum.org/

Township of Montclair - Government

September 20, 1934 - Paterson swimmer Al Vande Weghe was honored at Hinchliffe Stadium in front of a crowd of 6,000 peop...
09/20/2026

September 20, 1934 - Paterson swimmer Al Vande Weghe was honored at Hinchliffe Stadium in front of a crowd of 6,000 people. Earlier in the year, the 18-year-old travelled to Japan and broke four world swimming records. Vande Weghe also became the first swimmer to break the one-minute mark in the 100-yard backstroke. He also introduced the flip-turn to the sport of swimming.

On this night at Hinchliffe Stadium, U.S. Olympic Men’s Swimming Team Head Coach Robert Kiphuth was on hand and said: "I can see nothing but an Olympic championship in 1936." Vande Weghe would compete in the 1936 Olympics and won the Silver Medal in the 100-meter backstroke.

It was also announced that a plaque would be made by famed artist Gaetano Federici to honor Vande Weghe. The plaque was placed inside of Hinchliffe Stadium prior to the 1934 Thanksgiving Day Game.

For all of his contributions to swimming, Vande Weghe was inducted into both International Swimming Hall of Fame, and the USA Swimming Hall of Fame.

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Paterson Museum Foundation

September 19, 1934 - On this date, 19-year-old pitching phenom Johnny Vander Meer stuck out 20 Newark Dodgers batters wh...
09/19/2026

September 19, 1934 - On this date, 19-year-old pitching phenom Johnny Vander Meer stuck out 20 Newark Dodgers batters when he was given the mound assignment for the Eddie Mayo All-Stars at Hinchliffe Stadium.

At that time, he was only in his second season of professional baseball having pitched for the Scranton Miners of the New York-Penn League. In total, the pride of Midland Park spent 13 seasons in Major League Baseball. He is best known as being the only pitcher in Major League history to throw two no-hitters in consecutive starts. He accomplished the feat only four days apart.

As for his stint with the Mayo All-Stars, his club edged Newark by a score of 2-1. Mayo, a Clifton native, scored both runs for his All-Stars. Mayo would eventually play nine seasons in Major League Baseball.

As for the Dodgers, Hall of Famer Ray Dandridge went 1 for 3 with a double.

Image: Vander Meer with the Cincinnati Reds

Hinchliffe Stadium Profile: Sam BankheadHappy Birthday to Sam Bankhead, who was born on this date in 1905. Bankhead was ...
09/18/2026

Hinchliffe Stadium Profile: Sam Bankhead

Happy Birthday to Sam Bankhead, who was born on this date in 1905. Bankhead was the definition of a versatile ballplayer as he could play the infield and outfield with ease. A seven-time All-Star, Bankhead played 17 seasons in professional baseball.

Through baseball, he developed a bond with the legendary Josh Gibson. After Gibson's untimely death in 1947, Bankhead became the de facto father of Gibson's son, Josh Jr.

For Gibson Jr., Bankhead served as, most likely, the greatest influence of his life. Bankhead gave him a chance to play professional baseball. After baseball, both men would work for the City of Pittsburgh.

In a game at Hinchliffe Stadium, Bankhead went 2 for 4 for his Nashville Elite Giants in a 7-4 loss to the New York Black Yankees. In that same game he narrowly avoided a collision with outfielder Tom Parker while he was at the shortstop position.

Image: Bankhead with the Santa Clara ballclub in Cuba.

Josh Gibson Foundation Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Hubert V. Simmons, Museum of Negro Leagues Baseball, Inc Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park The Paterson Museum The Paterson Museum Foundation City of Pittsburgh

September 17, 1932 - On this day, Hinchliffe Stadium held its ceremonial grand opening. Although the first event actuall...
09/17/2026

September 17, 1932 - On this day, Hinchliffe Stadium held its ceremonial grand opening. Although the first event actually took place in July of 1932, this event was planned to celebrate the stadium's birth.

The event featured a track and field meet, as well as the presentation of the Eleanor Egg plaque created by famed artist Gaetano Federici. Egg was one of Paterson's best athletes. She was scheduled to compete in the 1928 Olympics, but sadly, due to injury, she was unable to compete.

During the ceremony, Richard O'Dea, Chairman of the Stadium Committee accepted Egg's plaque, and said:

"The athletic feat of Miss Eleanor Egg in winning the national 100-yard dash...was indeed a notable one, and should always be remembered by the people of our city. This tablet will serve that purpose," said O'Dea. "It will remind all who see it of the courage, the courage, the determination of Eleanor Egg."

September 16, 1947 - On this date, Bloomfield's Al Keller won the 25-lap midget car feature at Hinchliffe Stadium. Dutch...
09/16/2026

September 16, 1947 - On this date, Bloomfield's Al Keller won the 25-lap midget car feature at Hinchliffe Stadium. Dutch Schaeffer and Shorty McAndrews came in second and third respectively. By the third lap, Keller was in the lead and never looked back.

Also on this evening, Rex Records defeated Schaeffer in the three-lap race with a time of 42.65 seconds.

Hinchliffe Stadium Profile: Rap DixonHappy Birthday to Herbert "Rap" Dixon, who was born on this date in 1902. A five-to...
09/15/2026

Hinchliffe Stadium Profile: Rap Dixon

Happy Birthday to Herbert "Rap" Dixon, who was born on this date in 1902. A five-tool player, Dixon was a very patient hitter at the plate and had success with two strikes as well as the curveball. On the defensive side, he was an outfielder with a strong arm with solid range to track down fly balls.

Dixon spent 16 seasons in Black baseball having amassed a .326 lifetime batting average, and if modern statistics were in place during his era, he would have earned a .945 OPS.

At Hinchliffe Stadium in what was referred to as the "Colored Championship of the Nation," Dixon had quite the game in this one-game 'winner takes all' finale. He went 4 for 6 with a home run as his Philadelphia Stars defeated the New York Black Yankees by a score 14-8.

September 14, 1941 - On this date, the Paterson Panthers shut out the Long Island Indians 23-0 in the opening game of th...
09/14/2026

September 14, 1941 - On this date, the Paterson Panthers shut out the Long Island Indians 23-0 in the opening game of the 1941 American Professional Football Association campaign.

On the day, Paterson used their aerial game to their advantage, while the Panthers defense quieted the Long Island club.

Three Paterson players scored for the home team: Dale Burnett (Panthers player/coach who played 10 seasons with the New York Giants), Bob Cook, and Vince Renzo.

Image: Paterson Panthers fullback/head coach Dale Burnett catches a pass for a touchdown.

September 13, 1936 - On this date, the Brooklyn Football Dodgers edged the Paterson Panthers by a score of 13-7 on the H...
09/13/2026

September 13, 1936 - On this date, the Brooklyn Football Dodgers edged the Paterson Panthers by a score of 13-7 on the Hinchliffe Stadium gridiron.

With the score tied 7-7 in the fourth quarter, Brooklyn marched their way downfield as Tony Kaska scored the winning touchdown for the Dodgers.

Johnny Biancone was quite influential in Brooklyn's victory, as he faked a pass then ran 60 yards for the Dodgers first touchdown. Paterson's lone touchdown was scored by Doug Wyckoff.

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Great Falls National Historical Park
Paterson, NJ
07522

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