Photo: David Seibert

Click for Larger Version of Picture

Herty Field State Historical Marker

Located behind Moore and New College Buildings at the End of Herty Dr., University of Georgia, Athens
33.956216, -83.3758

(Text)

HERTY FIELD

 

 

This marker overlooks the site of the first intercollegiate football

game played in the state of Georgia and one of the first to be

played in the deep south. On January 30, 1892, Georgia defeated

Mercer College 50 to 0 on the stubbly grounds that served as an

athletic field. Several hundred spectators watched from the sidelines,

some of them spilling out on the playing ground. Students living in

New College close by the field had a splendid view of the action

from their dormitory windows.

 

Georgia played all its home games on this field until 1911 when a

new field was constructed off Lumpkin Street. The old grounds

were thereafter used for informal intramural games and as a drill

field for the R.O.T.C. trainees.

 

The original field, later converted into a parking lot, was named

in honor of Dr. Charles H. Herty, professor of chemistry at the

University and sports enthusiast. He introduced football to the

college boys and was unofficial coach and trainer of the early

teams. Herty later earned fame as a scientist in the development

of the turpentine and pine pulpwood industry.

 

029 - 17 GEORGIA HISTORIC MARKER 1991

 

Click here to see Herty Field today restored as a plaza.

Click here to see baseball being played on Herty Field in 1899.