Ferry Field

Ferry Field was a stadium located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it was the home of the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1906 to 1926. The stadium was named after William Montague Ferry Jr., a University of Michigan regent, and it hosted many notable games, including matchups against Ohio State University, University of Chicago, and Northwestern University. The stadium's history is closely tied to the development of college football in the United States, with notable coaches like Fielding H. Yost and Gustave Ferbert leading the team to several Big Ten Conference championships. The stadium also hosted games against other prominent teams, including University of Illinois, Purdue University, and University of Minnesota.

● History

The history of Ferry Field dates back to 1906, when it was built to replace the old Regents Field, which was located near the current site of the University of Michigan Museum of Art. The stadium was designed to accommodate the growing popularity of college football, with a seating capacity of over 20,000 spectators, and it quickly became a hub for University of Michigan athletic events, hosting games against University of Wisconsin, Indiana University, and Iowa University. The stadium's early years were marked by significant events, including a 1909 game against University of Pennsylvania, which was attended by over 18,000 spectators, and a 1918 game against University of Michigan's rival, Ohio State University, which ended in a 14-0 victory for the Wolverines. The stadium also hosted games against other notable teams, including Harvard University, Yale University, and Princeton University.

● Design and Features

Ferry Field was designed with a unique blend of Romanesque architecture and modern stadium design, featuring a large grandstand with a seating capacity of over 20,000 spectators, and a press box that offered stunning views of the surrounding Ann Arbor, Michigan landscape. The stadium's design was influenced by other notable stadiums of the time, including Harvard Stadium and Yale Bowl, and it featured a state-of-the-art scoreboard and sound system. The stadium's playing surface was made of grass, which was maintained by a team of groundskeepers from the University of Michigan's Department of Athletics. The stadium also featured a track and field facility, which hosted several notable events, including the Big Ten Conference championships and the NCAA Men's Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

● Location and Accessibility

Ferry Field was located in the heart of Ann Arbor, Michigan, near the University of Michigan's central campus, and it was easily accessible by public transportation, including the Ann Arbor Transit Authority and the Michigan Central Railroad. The stadium was also within walking distance of several notable landmarks, including the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, and the Michigan Union. The stadium's location made it a popular destination for University of Michigan students, faculty, and staff, as well as fans from across the United States, including those from Detroit, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, and Cleveland, Ohio.

● Usage and Events

Ferry Field was used for a variety of events, including Michigan Wolverines football games, track and field meets, and concerts, featuring notable performers like John Philip Sousa and the United States Marine Band. The stadium also hosted several notable events, including the 1909 Michigan Wolverines football season, which saw the team win the Western Conference championship, and the 1918 Michigan Wolverines football season, which saw the team win the National Championship. The stadium also hosted games against other prominent teams, including University of Southern California, University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University. The stadium's usage was not limited to athletic events, as it also hosted several notable commencement ceremonies, including the University of Michigan's 1910 commencement ceremony, which was attended by over 10,000 spectators.

● Renovations and Upgrades

Ferry Field underwent several renovations and upgrades during its history, including the addition of a new press box in 1913, which was designed by the Detroit-based architectural firm of Smith, Hinchman and Grylls, and the installation of a new scoreboard in 1920, which was donated by the University of Michigan's Class of 1919. The stadium also underwent several upgrades to its seating capacity, including the addition of new bleachers in 1922, which increased the stadium's seating capacity to over 25,000 spectators. Despite these upgrades, the stadium eventually became outdated, and it was replaced by Michigan Stadium in 1927, which was designed by the Osborn Engineering firm and featured a seating capacity of over 72,000 spectators. The new stadium was built with the help of notable University of Michigan alumni, including Fielding H. Yost and Gerald R. Ford, and it has since become one of the most iconic stadiums in college football, hosting games against Notre Dame University, University of Texas, and University of Oklahoma.

Category:Defunct stadiums in the United States