Goldsmith–Schiffman Field
{{Short description|Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama}}
{{Infobox stadium
| name = Goldsmith–Schiffman Field
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| image = Goldsmithschiffmanusgs.png
| caption = USGS aerial view
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| coordinates = {{coord|34.74|-86.58|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
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| opened = {{Start date|1934|10|04}}
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| owner = City of Huntsville, Alabama
| operator = Huntsville City Schools
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| general_contractor = Civil Works Administration
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Goldsmith–Schiffman Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Huntsville, Alabama. From 1934 through 2012, it was used mainly for middle school and high school football. It was also home to the Huntsville Rockets from 1962 through 1967 and the now-defunct Alabama Renegades of the National Women's Football Association.
History
File:Goldsmith-Schiffman Field construction.jpg
On January 25, 1934, Oscar Goldsmith, Lawrence B. Goldsmith, Annie Schiffman Goldsmith, Robert L. Schiffman, and Elsie Strauss Schiffman gave the property to the city for an "athletic field or playground "for the enjoyment of the white students of the public schools." The Civil Works Administration provided $6,500 in materials and labor to construct the field, the first in Huntsville to accommodate night athletic games. The field was dedicated during the first night game on October 4, 1934, when 1,000 fans saw Coach Milton Frank's Huntsville High team defeat Gadsden High.
The racist language in the deed was ruled unenforceable and ignored as desegregation came to Huntsville City Schools.
The city moved activities to Louis Crews Stadium at Alabama A&M University in 2012, and because of disuse, heirs reclaimed title to the land. On September 5, 2014, after consulting with heirs "as far away as Scotland," Margaret Ann Goldsmith deeded the property to the city again, this time without restriction.
In October 2024, the city hired a Georgia-based engineering and design firm to develop overhaul plans for the facility. The renovation will add pickleball courts, new flag football fields, a concession building with restrooms and a playground. https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/news/local/overhaul-set-for-near-century-old-stadium-goldsmith-schiffman-field/525-4e2a2ac8-7567-418b-ae42-16f9539be208
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{cite news|publisher=WHNT-TV |title=HS Football: Milton Frank Doubleheader Results |url=http://www.whnt.com/sports/whnt-milton-frank-doubleheader-,0,2533266.story |date=October 15, 2009 |accessdate=October 21, 2009 |quote=With heavy rains wreaking havoc on the {{sic|the}} Goldsmith–Schiffman playing field, a rare high school football doubleheader took place at Huntsville's Milton Frank Stadium Thursday. |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716090344/http://www.whnt.com/sports/whnt-milton-frank-doubleheader-%2C0%2C2533266.story |archivedate=July 16, 2011 }}
{{cite news |first=Challen |last=Stephens |newspaper=The Huntsville Times |location=Huntsville, AL |title=Huntsville schools quit playing football at Goldsmith-Schiffman, learn field deeded for whites only |url=http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/12/goldsmith-schiffman_field_deed.html |date=December 10, 2012 |accessdate=January 17, 2013}}
{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Doyle |newspaper=The Huntsville Times |publisher=AL.com |title=Family's donation will maintain Goldsmith-Schiffman Field's 'treasured' place as Huntsville sports venue |url=http://www.al.com/news/huntsville/index.ssf/2014/09/familys_donation_will_maintain.html |date=September 5, 2014 |accessdate=September 9, 2014}}
}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130119101339/http://www.huntsvilleal.gov/gis/HistoricMarkers/site/marker_007/page.htm Goldsmith–Schiffman Field] at City of Huntsville, Alabama
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Category:Sports venues in Huntsville, Alabama
Category:1934 establishments in Alabama
Category:Huntsville-Decatur, AL Combined Statistical Area
Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in the United States
Category:High school football venues in the United States
Category:Sports venues completed in 1934
Category:American football venues in Alabama
Category:Civil Works Administration
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