Avon Park Baseball Museum

About the Avon Park Baseball Museum

The Avon Park Baseball Museum celebrates more than a century of America’s favorite pastime right here in Avon Park, Florida,. Housed within the historic Depot Museum, a restored 1926 railroad depot that once welcomed passengers from around the region, our baseball exhibit is part of a growing effort to preserve and share the city’s remarkable connection to baseball history.

Baseball has been woven into Avon Park’s identity since the 1920s, when Cardinal Field (now Charles R. Head Field) was built to host Major League spring training. Iconic teams, including the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals and legendary players like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, played before thousands of enthusiastic fans, sometimes outdrawing the entire city population.

What You’ll Discover

The museum’s baseball exhibits bring this rich local heritage to life with:

• Historic Photographs & Memorabilia: Rare images and artifacts that capture the evolution of baseball in Avon Park from early spring training games to high school championship teams.

• Legendary Stories: Exhibits highlight memorable moments and personalities that shaped the sport here, including barnstorming teams and tales of local heroes, Hal McRae and Thomas Gordon.

• Babe Ruth Memorabilia: One of the museum’s standout pieces is a bat presented to Babe Ruth in 1928, inscribed “To Babe Ruth, Fans in Avon Park,” reflecting the deep connection between the town and baseball royalty.

• Interactive Displays: As part of an ongoing expansion, new exhibit spaces will allow visitors to explore baseball’s impact on Avon Park through uniforms, equipment, newspaper clippings and more.

More Than Just Baseball

The Baseball Museum is part of the Avon Park Historical Society’s Depot Museum, which features varied exhibits on local history, culture, and community life. Together, these displays connect visitors of all ages to the people, places and stories that shaped this charming Central Florida city.

Whether you’re a lifelong baseball fan, a history enthusiast, or a visitor looking for a unique cultural experience, the Avon Park Baseball Museum offers a fascinating look at how baseball helped define a community and inspired generations.