A Celebration of Decatur's Baseball Roots
On July 15, History of the Heartland will transform Millikin University’s Workman Field into a living museum of the city’s early baseball legacy, hosting a special Way Back Wednesday gathering that draws together collectors, fans and scholars.
The first 50 attendees will receive a commemorative collector coin marking Millikin’s 125th anniversary, adding a tangible reminder of the university’s milestone.
Baseball legend Roe Skidmore, a Decatur native whose career spanned decades, will be on hand to greet supporters and sign memorabilia, offering a personal link to the sport’s local heritage.
Author Bret Robertson will showcase his recently published work, Founders, Champions, Cons and Thieves: Baseball Adventures in Decatur 1866 – 1900, priced at $25, and will be available to sign copies throughout the evening.
The book delves into the formative years of Decatur baseball, chronicling the six stadiums erected between 1866 and 1900 and recounting vivid episodes such as Isaac Archer’s legendary hit that once smashed through a house on Sangamon Street.
Supporting Heritage
Copies can be purchased at HomeGrown Collective Decatur and via eBay, with all proceeds directed to History of the Heartland to fund ongoing preservation efforts. Revenue from book sales not only fuels the nonprofit’s archival projects but also ensures that the stories of early teams like the McPhersons, who once played at the Railroad Grounds near Union Station, remain accessible to future generations.