Calfee Athletic Field
Also known as: Calfee Park; Pulaski Athletic Field
Why it's listed
Calfee Athletic Field is a ball park of roughly fifteen acres set in a natural amphitheater on the northern flank of Draper Mountain above the town of Pulaski, Virginia. Construction began in 1935 with Works Progress Administration money, and the park was dedicated that October in honor of Mayor Ernest W. Calfee. Local engineer Edgar H. Millirons designed the two oldest features: a sandstone entranceway with a castellated parapet and medieval-style gates, and a concrete grandstand with a steel canopy built in 1936. A dugout and concession stand are also counted as historic, while a field house and restrooms are not. The field hosted horse shows, high school football and other events, but baseball has always been its main use. It was the home of the Pulaski Counts, who joined the Appalachian League in 1946 and led the standings in 1947 and 1948. The park remains in use for minor-league baseball and is recognized for its role in the town's recreation and social life from 1935 to 1950.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the park is Pulaski's historic venue for minor-league baseball, high school sports and other entertainments, making it a focus of community social life. It was built during the Great Depression and is best remembered as home of the Pulaski Counts of the Appalachian League. Significance is local, under Criterion A.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 00001432, listed November 22, 2000. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Washington and Pierce Aves., SE, Pulaski |
|---|---|
| County | Pulaski County |
| Listed | November 22, 2000 |
| Reference number | 00001432 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1935-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Millirons, Edgar Hampton; Virginia Block Company |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a minor-league baseball park; the Pulaski Rangers play there, and 1998-99 improvements were made just outside the boundary. |
| Acreage | 15 |
| Coordinates | 37.03958, -80.77564 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 00001432.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5019580
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.