The game, believed to have been the first played in Milwaukee, was organized by @journalsentinel publisher Rufus King, seen here. Despite the cold, two more games were played in December, and the Milwaukee Base Ball Club was organized in April 1860.
— WI Historical Images (@WIHistImages) November 20, 2018
📸 https://t.co/RcuW9ZdjwX pic.twitter.com/CL3S716sjQ
At the time, the Wisconsin State Fair was still located at the old Brockway Fair Grounds; it wouldn't move to its current site in West Allis until 1892. The grounds were at Twelfth Street and what was then Grand Avenue, renamed Wisconsin Avenue in 1926. Now part of Marquette University's campus, in 1859 it was the very edge of the city. Perfect spot for a large agricultural fair, or for a pickup game of "Base Ball".
It's nice to be reminded that not only does Milwaukee's baseball history extend past 1953, but it also goes deep into the 19th Century, to the earliest days of the game.
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