The Pecan Park Eagle

Houston Babies & Friends, Galveston, Texas, May 18, 2013. ~ On the grounds where people once savored upon the 19th century pleasure & gaiety offerings of Schmidt’s Garden.

Thanks to SABR member and Babies photographer, Matt Rejmaniak, the Houston Babies and Katy Combine players are now apprised, after-the-fact, that their Saturday, May 18, 2013 vintage base ball game in Galveston played out on the historic ground of a late 19th century pleasure block of land on the beachfront of the Gulf.

“Bet nobody dressed like me back in the wild and wooly days!” ~ Beauty Queen Lynn

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Here’s how Matt Rejmaniak revealed the truth to the Pecan Park Eagle yesterday by e-mail:

“From a little research I’ve done, Saturday’s vintage ball game was played on the site of “Schmidt’s Garden”. Amazingly appropriate! It was the first time the Houston Babies ball club has played in Galveston since 1888!!!

 http://civilwarmed.blogspot.com/2012/11/schmidts-garden-and-boy-named-quarantine.html

“Schmidt’s Garden, located on five acres of ground between Avenue 0 and P and 20th and 21st Streets, was the rendezvous of pleasure seekers in Galveston a century ago. In the 1870s and 1880s parties, picnics and festivals were held within the confines of the garden, dotted with beautiful trees, flowers and shrubbery. The garden was developed and owned by F.W. Schmidt, pioneer settler in Texas…Schmidt’s Garden was one of the most popular places on Galveston Island for outdoor recreation between 1873 and 1887. Dances, athletic events, and beer-drinking contests also were held at the Garden, which boasted an octagon shaped dance hall, a saloon and a refreshment stand.”

— Matt Rejmaniak

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Writer John DeLapp of the Galveston County News also gave the 14-14 tie game great story and pictorial coverage in their Sunday, May 19th edition too. Grab a copy, if you can, or check it out over the Internet through their paid subscriber service.

If you missed our game story here at The Pecan Park Eagle yesterday, or if you haven’t seen the extra photos that were added to it late last night, try this link:

https://thepecanparkeagle.wordpress.com/2013/05/19/babies-combine-in-14-14-galveston-tie/

“Us Houston Babies just waited our times to bat on the bench. We didn’t know nuthin’ ’bout us playin’ a game on ground that used to be an outdoor saloon!”