Indianapolis, Indiana - 1931-2001
The story of Bush Stadium is not a typical one. Once the epitome of small, middle-American ballparks, this Indiana stadium was eventually abandoned and left to decay. But Bush Stadium made a 9th inning comeback, finding new life through a unique redevelopment effort. Although the stadium does not exist exactly as it did in its heyday, it has managed to retain some of its former glory.
The stadium was originally named Perry Stadium after James Perry, brother of Indianapolis Indians owner Norm Perry. After selling the team in 1941, the ballpark was renamed Victory Field. In 1967, the park was renamed again, this time after baseball great and Indianapolis local Owen “Donie” Bush. The new name, Bush Stadium, would stick with the stadium for the rest of its days.
From 1931 until 1996, the Indianapolis Indians played their home games at Bush Stadium. Also playing games at Bush Stadium were the Indianapolis Clowns, the Negro American League team who Hank Aaron made his professional debut for. During the 1960s, two different minor league football teams played a handful of games at the ballpark. And in 1987, Bush Stadium hosted the baseball tournament portion of the Pan American Games.
When the Indians left for a new-and-improved downtown ballpark in 1996, Bush Stadium faced almost certain demise. In 1997, Bush Stadium was repurposed into a dirt race track for midget car auto racing. Unsurprisingly, the racing venture soon failed, and Bush Stadium quickly fell into disrepair. The low point of the ballpark’s life occurred between 2008 and 2011, when the park was used as a storage facility for cars that were traded in as a part of the government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program.
In 2013, however, Bush Stadium found new life. Facing possible demolition, a redevelopment effort which aimed to repurpose the ballpark was launched. Bush Stadium was converted into an apartment complex which preserved much of the ballpark's atmosphere. Many of the ballpark’s original elements were left incorporated in the new design, including the stadium’s grandstand structure, outer facade, and the iron turnstiles which graced the main entrance to the stadium.
Just inside the former main entrance of the stadium is the building’s lobby, which is lined with the seats from the original stadium. Former ticket windows have been incorporated into the apartment rooms as closets, and the walls of common areas are lined with relics of the building’s baseball past. Although no longer covered in ivy, portions of the brick outfield wall are still intact, and the original field lights still stand tall, overlooking the former playing field. The infield dirt has been replaced with red-colored concrete, but the spirit of the field is still present.
Although no longer in its original form, the fate of Bush Stadium is better than that of most abandoned ballparks. The spirit of the stadium has been preserved, and for fans of this stadium, this is certainly a better fate than demolition. Perhaps this project will even serve as a blueprint for the repurposing of other historic facilities. As for Bush Stadium, thanks to this creative effort, its legacy will continue to live on.
The stadium was originally named Perry Stadium after James Perry, brother of Indianapolis Indians owner Norm Perry. After selling the team in 1941, the ballpark was renamed Victory Field. In 1967, the park was renamed again, this time after baseball great and Indianapolis local Owen “Donie” Bush. The new name, Bush Stadium, would stick with the stadium for the rest of its days.
From 1931 until 1996, the Indianapolis Indians played their home games at Bush Stadium. Also playing games at Bush Stadium were the Indianapolis Clowns, the Negro American League team who Hank Aaron made his professional debut for. During the 1960s, two different minor league football teams played a handful of games at the ballpark. And in 1987, Bush Stadium hosted the baseball tournament portion of the Pan American Games.
When the Indians left for a new-and-improved downtown ballpark in 1996, Bush Stadium faced almost certain demise. In 1997, Bush Stadium was repurposed into a dirt race track for midget car auto racing. Unsurprisingly, the racing venture soon failed, and Bush Stadium quickly fell into disrepair. The low point of the ballpark’s life occurred between 2008 and 2011, when the park was used as a storage facility for cars that were traded in as a part of the government’s “Cash for Clunkers” program.
In 2013, however, Bush Stadium found new life. Facing possible demolition, a redevelopment effort which aimed to repurpose the ballpark was launched. Bush Stadium was converted into an apartment complex which preserved much of the ballpark's atmosphere. Many of the ballpark’s original elements were left incorporated in the new design, including the stadium’s grandstand structure, outer facade, and the iron turnstiles which graced the main entrance to the stadium.
Just inside the former main entrance of the stadium is the building’s lobby, which is lined with the seats from the original stadium. Former ticket windows have been incorporated into the apartment rooms as closets, and the walls of common areas are lined with relics of the building’s baseball past. Although no longer covered in ivy, portions of the brick outfield wall are still intact, and the original field lights still stand tall, overlooking the former playing field. The infield dirt has been replaced with red-colored concrete, but the spirit of the field is still present.
Although no longer in its original form, the fate of Bush Stadium is better than that of most abandoned ballparks. The spirit of the stadium has been preserved, and for fans of this stadium, this is certainly a better fate than demolition. Perhaps this project will even serve as a blueprint for the repurposing of other historic facilities. As for Bush Stadium, thanks to this creative effort, its legacy will continue to live on.